Neurology
Neurology
About the Service
The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery Service provides expert care for your pet. The department is equipped with cutting-edge technology to diagnose and treat a wide range of neurological and neurosurgical disorders. Board-certified neurologists collaborate with other specialists and your primary veterinarian to ensure the best possible outcomes. Our approach combines advanced diagnostic technology with surgical and non-surgical treatment options to ensure each patient receives comprehensive and personalized care.More About Neurology & Neurosurgery
The Neurological Evaluation
Each evaluation starts with a review of your pet’s medical history before a thorough physical and neurological evaluation are performed. After examination, a diagnostic plan is created and treatment options discussed. MRI may be recommended to diagnose conditions affecting the brain and/or spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid centesis “spinal tap” (with on-site analysis) may be recommended following advanced imaging. Advanced diagnostic testing allows us to create the best medical or surgical treatment plan for your pet.
During your initial visit, we will evaluate your pet, discuss our findings, and recommend an individualized diagnostic/treatment plan. Following evaluation and discussion of the proposed plan, same-day imaging (CT, MRI), and surgery may be performed if medically indicated. Because imaging requires general anesthesia unless otherwise directed by the Neurology Service, please do not feed your pet (food) after midnight on the night before the appointment (unless your pet is diabetic), but water is allowed (as much as desired). Unless otherwise directed, medications can be given to your pet as prescribed.
Conditions Treated
Our team has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous Neurological and Neurosurgical conditions including but not limited to the following:
- Medical and surgical treatment of spinal disorders (intervertebral disk herniation, acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion, hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion, fibrocartilaginous embolism, congenital anomalies, diskospondylitis, tumors, and more)
- Epilepsy/seizures disorders
- Meningitis/encephalitis/myelitis (including inflammatory/autoimmune and infectious causes)
- Vestibular/balance disorders
- Brain tumors
- Movement Disorders
- Neuromuscular disease
- Degenerative neurological disease
Services Offered
We utilize an in-hospital 3.0 Tesla MRI unit and a 128-slice CT scanner (one of only two in veterinary specialty hospitals in the U.S.) enabling incredible image quality in a fraction of the time, leading to more rapid and accurate diagnoses and faster implementation of appropriate therapy. Our board-certified Neurologists confer with board certified Radiologists to interpret imaging quickly and accurately to make a diagnosis and/or determine next diagnostic steps or treatment. When necessary, cerebrospinal fluid centesis “spinal tap” is performed immediately following imaging and read in house by a board-certified Clinical Pathologist allowing for the fastest diagnostic evaluation possible.
In surgery, either an operating microscope and/or endoscopic VITOM® 3D will be utilized for magnification in exquisite detail resulting in superior neurosurgical precision and improved outcomes.
Electrodiagnostic testing including BAER (Brainstem auditory evoked response) is also available and may be recommended if indicated.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Spinal/Neurological Issues in Pets
Animals displaying difficulty walking, dragging their legs, seeming dizzy or off balance, or those having seizures may have underlying neurologic disease.Seizures
Keep you and your pet safe. Do not place anything (especially fingers, food, or toys) into your pet’s mouth until they are fully recovered. Move your dog to an area where they are unlikely to fall or be injured. For example, whenever possible, move your dog from the couch to the floor, or away from stairs or furniture where they could injure themselves by kicking. Recording how long the seizure lasted on a stopwatch or clock, as well as capturing a video of the event may be helpful for the veterinarian evaluating your dog or cat afterward.
Spinal Cord Injury/Compression
If your pet cannot walk, please do not wait dto have your pet evaluated. Some spinal cord conditions require emergency treatment—however, this can only be determined via thorough evaluation by a veterinarian. The Neurology Service works very closely with the Emergency Service and may recommend evaluation through the Emergency Service if same-day evaluation is not possible.
