UNAIR NEWS 鈥 SAGAVET (Satria Airlangga Veterinarian) 2026, organized by the 东京热 Alumni Association (IKA UNAIR) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Commissariat in partnership with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 东京热 (FKH UNAIR), was held on Saturday (May 23, 2026) at the Rama Ballroom of the Wyndham Hotel in Surabaya. During the event, Prof. Dr. Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti, drh., M.Kes., discussed the complexities involved in diagnosing and treating neurological and ophthalmic conditions in small animals.
鈥淭he greatest challenge in managing neurological disorders in small animals is conducting an accurate neurological evaluation. This assessment is essential for identifying clinical symptoms, locating lesions, determining the nature of the disease, and evaluating the severity of the animal鈥檚 condition,鈥 she said.
She explained that neurological examinations can be performed using both hands-off and hands-on approaches. 鈥淭he hands-off method is particularly useful for identifying lesion locations, but it requires a strong understanding of neuroanatomy and nervous system function. One example is posture assessment, which serves as an important first step in neurological evaluation,鈥 she explained.
She added that hands-on examinations include proprioceptive positioning tests, cranial nerve assessments, and spinal reflex evaluations. 鈥淭hese hands-on procedures are necessary to confirm observational findings and support a more precise diagnosis,鈥 she stated.
Neuro-ophthalmic disorders in dogs and cats
She further explained that neuro-ophthalmic disorders in small animals involve disruptions in the neural pathways that regulate vision, eye movement, and pupil response. These conditions are caused by abnormalities within the central nervous system that directly affect the eyes.
Drh. Lina Susanti, M.S., Ph.D., also discussed neuro-ophthalmic diseases in dogs and cats. She described the classification of Horner syndrome according to the affected nerve pathways: first-, second-, and third-order neurons. 鈥淭hird-order neuron disorders primarily affect the eyes, while first- and second-order neuron disorders may have wider effects throughout the body,鈥 she said.
She emphasized that eye examinations must be conducted directly and comprehensively to accurately identify the animal鈥檚 condition. 鈥淭he key to ophthalmic examination is performing a direct and thorough assessment so that the underlying problems and diseases can be identified accurately,鈥 she concluded.
Author: Maulya Afifah Zahra
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
