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, imaging (CT, MRI), and surgery will be scheduled. 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.

• Epilepsy/seizures disorders
• Meningitis/encephalitis/myelitis (including inflammatory/autoimmune and infectious causes)
• Vestibular/balance disorders
• Movement Disorders
• Neuromuscular disease
• Degenerative neurological disease

Conditions that will be treated when the service expands:

• 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)
• Brain tumors

Please be aware that neither neurosurgical intervention nor overnight care are available at this time. After evaluation by the Neurology Service, a diagnostic and treatment plan will be created. Advanced testing such as outpatient MRI +/- spinal tap and testing will not be performed on the same day as evaluation but if indicated, will be scheduled at the next earliest available date.

We utilize an in-hospital 3.0 Tesla MRI unit and a 128-slice CT scanner 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.

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. Contact a veterinarian immediately or bring your pet through the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine Emergency Service if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or if there are three or more in 24 hours.