Abstract
Tibial nerves of 10 normal domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were evaluated by means of electrodiagnostic tests: motor nerve conduction studies (MNCSs), supramaximal repetitive nerve stimulation (SRNS), F waves, and cord dorsum potentials (CDPs). Values of conduction velocity, proximal and distal compound muscular action potentials, and amplitudes of MNCS were, respectively, 63.25 ± 7.56 m/sec, 10.79 ± 2.75 mV, and 13.02 ± 3.41 mV. Mean decrements in amplitude and area of compound muscular action potentials of wave 9 with low frequency SRNS were 0.3 ± 3.83% and 0.1 ± 3.51%. The minimum latency of the F waves and the F ratio were, respectively, 8.49 ± 0.65 ms and 1.92 ± 0.17. Onset latency of CDP was 1.99 ± 0.03 ms. These tests may help in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders and in better characterizing the hindlimb paresis reported in many ferrets with systemic illnesses.
Highlights
Clinical signs of neurological disorders are frequently reported in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Onset latency of cord dorsum potentials (CDPs) was 1.99 ± 0.03 ms. These tests may help in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders and in better characterizing the hindlimb paresis reported in many ferrets with systemic illnesses
The objective of the present study was to describe for the first time the electrophysiological evaluation of the tibial nerve in this species using the following electrodiagnostic tests: motor nerve conduction studies (MNCS), supramaximal repetitive nerve stimulation (SRNS), F waves, and cord dorsum potentials (CDP)
Summary
Clinical signs of neurological disorders are frequently reported in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). The most common presenting complaint is paraparesis/paralysis and ataxia [1]. These clinical presentations in a ferret are caused by primary neurological diseases or, more often, by systemic illnesses [2, 3]. Systemic disorders like endocrine and metabolic problems may cause secondary involvement of the nervous system. Electrodiagnostic tests represent an extension of the neurological examination useful, especially in neuromuscular problems, in precisely localizing the disorder and in defining the nature of the lesion. Most of the reference values for electrodiagnostic tests have still not been determined in clinically normal ferrets. A further objective was to establish the reference values for the main parameters of each of these tests in domestic ferrets
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