Coma:
- It is a state of deep unconsciousness where animal is unresponsive to external stimuli and unable to wake up.
- It is terminal point of apathy or depression.
Etiology:
Cerebral disorder:
- Head injury
- Cerebro-vascular thrombosis
- Meningitis
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Sub-arachnoid hemorrhage
- Space occupying lesion of brain
Metabolic disorder and poisoning:
- Diabetic coma (keto-acidosis)
- Hypoglycemia coma
- Endocrine disorder
- Uremia
- Hepatic coma
- Pulmonary encephalopathy
- Barbiturate poisoning
Cardiac disorder:
- Coronary thrombosis
Pulmonary disorder:
- Pulmonary infarction
- CO2 narcosis
Diagnosis:
- History of trauma, head injury
- History of infectious disease; meningitis, epilepsy, diabetic coma
Treatment:
- Animal should be kept in lateral recumbency.
- Whole body should be kept clean
- Oral feeding with glucose water
- Glucose administration by drip method
- In case of metabolic acidosis, diabetic coma, uremia; 150-500 cc of molar lactate should be administered.
- Oxygen should be provided through inhalation route
- Antibiotics to be used in case of infectious causes.
- Use of respiratory stimulant; Nikethamide @ 1-5 mg/kg, IV in dogs and cats or 1-2 drops under tongue of apneic neonates. In adult horse, it is given @ 0.5-1 mg/kg, IV.
- If coma is due to toxin ingestion, treatment protocols includes decontamination of animals, administration of specific antidotes or supportive care to minimize the toxin effect.
- In case of head injury, surgery is required to address physical injuries or to correct bleeding in brain or removal of space occupying lesion.