The goal of the neurology/neurosurgery service of the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center is to provide the highest level of medical neurology and neurosurgery in conjunction with consistent and effective communication with the client and referring veterinarian.
A veterinary neurologist/neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscle). Diagnostic tests, such as MRI and CT, are used to determine how to best treat acute and chronic disorders of the nervous system.
The neurology/neurosurgery service takes referrals from your primary care veterinarian or from another VSEC doctor/service for cases that require advanced imaging, neurosurgery, or specialized treatment for neurologic disease. The service is staffed 4 days a week for scheduled appointments and emergencies.
Only Diplomates of the ACVIM have completed a 3-year residency in veterinary neurology/neurosurgery and passed a series of national qualifying examinations. No other veterinarians have received as much rigorous and complete training and testing in the field of veterinary neurology/neurosurgery.
Common disorders treated:
- Seizures
- Intervertebral disc herniation
- Spinal cord disease (resulting in paralysis)
- Neuromuscular disease (such as myasthenia gravis)
- Brain disorders (tumors, stroke, head trauma, inflammatory disease, malformations)
- Vestibular disease
- Sleep disorders
- Neck and back pain
- Lumbosacral syndrome
Commonly performed procedures:
- MRI and CT scans
- Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (spinal tap)
- Muscle biopsy
- Nerve biopsy
- Tensilon testing
- Spinal surgery (for disc herniation, vertebral fractures, tumors, congenital malformations, “Wobbler’s” syndrome, and lumbosacral syndrome)
- Brain surgery (for tumor removal, biopsies, and congenital malformations)
Appointments are typically scheduled in the morning, with emergency consultations throughout the day. Diagnostic procedures, surgeries, and treatments are scheduled either for the same day as the initial consultation or the following day. The initial appointment usually lasts approximately 45 minutes. Food should be withheld 12 hours prior to the initial examination. Water should be withheld after 8 AM on the same day as the examination. Please bring your pet’s current medications, medical records and any previous x-rays to the initial appointment. Diagnostics such as bloodwork, radiographs, and MRI may be performed. Surgery, if necessary, will be discussed and scheduled.
If surgery is performed, you will be contacted by the doctor after surgery and updated periodically during your pet’s stay at VSEC. A discharge appointment will be set up and all details of your pet’s post-operative care and medications will be provided in a report and discussed with you.
Your referring veterinarian will be updated on your pet’s progress and all records will be faxed to them immediately. Our staff is always available by phone to answer any questions you may have during and after your pet‘s stay at VSEC.
VSEC’s Neurologist/Neurosurgeon:
