Nursing the neuromuscular patient

Nursing neurological patients can often be quite daunting and neuromuscular patients are no different! Neuromuscular disease is a relatively common neurological presentation and these patients require specific nursing care and considerations. These diseases reduce the ability of an animal’s skeletal muscle to work correctly, leading to a reduction in mobility and sometimes the ability to breathe in severe cases. There are three main neuromuscular diseases seen in canine patients: polyradiculoneuritis, myasthenia gravis and polymyositis. We will look at each disease in turn; the causes and how patients present, diagnostic and treatment options, and the specific nursing considerations for each. We will then look at the most common complications that can arise in these patients, including: aspiration pneumonia, muscular contractures and pressure sores and how we can effectively nurse and manage these. Neuromuscular patients can be intense and complicated to nurse, but with the correct knowledge and incentive to care for these patients, they are some of the most rewarding and fulfilling cases to nurse back to health.