Neurological Exam (Canine)

***For educational purposes***

Performing a neurological exam on a canine for Principles of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. Gamaliel Cuaresma, CTU-Barili, CVM). The 7 components explored are as below:
1. Mentation
2. Posture and Gait
3. Cranial Nerve Evaluation
4. Postural Reactions
5. Spinal Reflexes
6. Pain on Spinal Palpation
7. Pain Perception

Mnemonic for Cranial Nerves:

Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel A Girl’s Very Soft Hands
O: olfactory nerve (CN I)
O: optic nerve (CN II)
O: oculomotor nerve (CN III)
T: trochlear nerve (CN IV)
T: trigeminal nerve(CN V)
A: abducens nerve (CN VI)
F: facial nerve (CN VII)
A: auditory (or vestibulocochlear) nerve (CN VIII)
G: glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
V: vagus nerve (CN X)
S: spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)
H: hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More

S: sensory (olfactory nerve - CN I)
S: sensory (optic nerve - CN II)
M: motor (oculomotor nerve - CN III)
M: motor (trochlear nerve - CN IV)
B: both (trigeminal nerve - CN V)
M: motor (abducens nerve - CN VI)
B: both (facial nerve - CN VII)
S: sensory (vestibulocochlear nerve - CN VIII)
B: both (glossopharyngeal nerve CN IX)
B: both (vagus nerve - CN X)
M: motor (spinal accessory nerve - CN XI)
M: motor (hypoglossal nerve - CN XII)

Source: Clinical Brief, Radiopedia