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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Dementia: Depression, Excitement, Coma » Diagnosing Dementia » |
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 2, 2004 - 1:00 pm: Dementia sounds serious but also covers mild changes in a horses alertness and behavior:
Behavioral changes indicate a disease of the brain, more specifically the cerebrum or brain stem. Because the brain is closely integrated with the cranial nerves often these are effected also. Not all cases of dementia, particularly mild depression are caused by primary brain disease. Both fever and colic can cause depression and liver disease can induce severe brain dysfunction. Not all extreme behaviors or behaviorial changes are a indication of disease. Differences exist between individuals, sexes, breeds, and ages. Behavioral changes may be seen at the onset of estrus in mares, aggressive behavior may be seen in stallions, and changes in tack may lead to behavior changes (head shaking, chewing) in the performance of race horses. Certainly pain anywhere in the body can cause behavorial changes but usually this is easily interprted as a horse's reaction to peripheral pain. If dementia is present the brain has a primary lesion whether the horse is ataxic or not. This article describes the diseases of the brain and provides links to articles on these disorders. For more click on » Diagnosing Dementia » above. |