Altered states of consciousness in small animals.

Severe impairments of consciousness, such as those seen in coma or vegetative states, involve dysfunction of the brainstem or cerebrum. The modified Glasgow coma scale aids in immediate assessment and emergency stabilization. Prognosis depends heavily on the underlying cause and is always uncertain.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Impaired states of consciousness can be relatively easily identified, although it can occasionally be difficult to assess whether there is a pure disorder of wakefulness or awareness. Regardless, such impairments represent dysfunction of the brainstem and or cerebrum. Acute and severe impairments of consciousness can require immediate assessment, in part currently performed using the modified Glasgow coma scoring system, and emergency stabilization. The prognosis is always guarded and highly sensitive to the underlying etiology.