Most of the functions and organs of a dog's body are controlled by the nervous system, which is why any neurological changes can compromise the pet's overall well-being. A dog's nervous system is critical to the proper functioning of the body, controlling everything from paw movement to heartbeat. Today, approximately 10% of small dogs that are cared for inVeterinary clinics have some kind of disease that affects the nervous system. The dog with a neurological problem needs rapid diagnosis so that the treatment is as efficient as possible. the Paws of the House has put together 6 things you need to know about the dog's nervous system to help you better understand how it works and which diseases tend to affect dogs the most.

The dog's nervous system has four fundamental functions

The nervous system of the dog has basically four basic functions: the integrative function, which coordinates the functions of the organs; the sensory function, which coordinates general and special sensations (receiving and generating stimuli); the motor function, which takes care of muscle contractions (voluntary and involuntary); and the adaptive function, which takes care of the adaptation of the animal to the environment in which it is (such asIf you put all these functions together, you can see that it is the dog's nervous system that controls practically all the actions of the body and ensures the proper functioning of the animal's organism.

The nervous system of the dog is divided into the central and peripheral nervous systems

As in humans, the dog's nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is composed of the cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord. The dog's brain is composed of neurons (which control mental functions), glia cells (which provide support) and blood vessels. The axons of the neurons group together and form the white matter,The cortex is divided into several areas and each is responsible for some function of the body. The PNS is composed of the cranial nerves (sensory or motor nerves that connect to the skin, special sense organs and muscles of the head) and spinal nerves (which innervate the trunk, limbs and head).a part of the head).

Disease in dogs that affects the nervous system: know which are the most common ones

Unfortunately, there are many diseases that can affect a dog's nervous system. Since this system is responsible for the functioning of many organs, a dog with a neurological problem is a dangerous condition, as the entire body can be affected. Some examples of dog diseases that affect the nervous system are:

• Canine distemper

• Canine infectious hepatitis

• Toxoplasmosis

• Cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome)

• Epilepsy

• Intervertebral disc disease

Paralysis and tremors are common in dogs with neurological problems

The main way to find out if you have a dog with a neurological problem is to watch for signs. Some of your dog's behaviors may show the possibility of a dog disease that affects the nervous system. Among the main ones are:

• Dizziness

• Seizures

• Generalized tremors

• Paralysis in the extremities

• Weakness

• Changes in gait

• Insomnia

• Changes in sense and mental state

• Loss of consciousness

Dog with neurological problem: treatment should start as soon as possible

Diseases that affect the dog's nervous system often have no cure, but there are ways to treat the symptoms so that the dog has a better quality of life. For a dog with a neurological problem, treatment should start early to prevent the disease from progressing and ensure a better chance of cure. Therefore, when showing any signs, it is necessary to take the pet to the veterinarian. There, theThe veterinarian will carry out tests to confirm whether there is a disease affecting the nervous system in a dog. After diagnosis, the veterinarian will know the best form of treatment.

Brachycephalic dogs and dogs with syringomyelia are examples of a dog with a neurological problem

Some dog breeds have suffered from changes over time, mainly due to the action of man. Many of these changes have caused damage to the brains of these animals. The biggest example is brachycephalic dogs. Dogs of the Pug, Shi Tzu and French Bulldog breeds arose from crossbreeding carried out with the intention of creating species with a smaller muzzle. These crossbreeds have madecausing the skull size of these animals to be shorter and smaller than normal, as well as causing breathing problems. Another example is dogs that have syringomyelia, a condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to accumulate in the spinal cord. This causes Chiari Malformation, which causes the brain size to be larger than the skull. It is as if the brain is squeezed togetherinside the skull, causing great pressure and often pain. This condition is most common in small dogs such as Maltese, Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.