Neurologic disease includes problems of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), peripheral nerves and the neuromuscular junction (connection between the nerves and muscle). These diseases can be sudden and dramatic and cause quite debilitating disease. Our neurology service is here to help diagnose and treat such diseases.
Our procedures include:
- Complete neurologic exam
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Computerized Tomography (CT)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection (CSF)
- Advanced blood tests (infectious disease testing, antibody titers for autoimmune disease, genetic testing for degenerative and/or storage diseases)
- Muscle and nerve biopsies
- Biopsies of other pathologic tissue in the nervous system
Diseases that our service manages, through surgical or medical intervention, include but are not limited to:
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Seizures
- Vestibular Disease
- Cerebrovascular accidents (strokes)
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Myelitis
- Myositis
- Neuromuscular disease (such as myasthenia gravis)
- Brain tumors
- Spinal cord tumors
- Hydrocephalus
- Caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS)
- Atlantoaxial subluxation
- Vertebral column luxation and fractures
- Cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM)
- Lumbosacral disease
What to expect?
Consultations with our service will involve a thorough medical history and complete neurologic examination. Our most common diagnostic performed is the MRI which involves anesthesia for veterinary patients. This is scheduled after preliminary testing is done. The preliminary testing, as deemed appropriate by the clinician, is performed to make the procedure as safe as possible. While your pet is under anesthesia a cerebrospinal fluid collection is often performed. This is discussed on an individual basis. Depending on the results of the neurologic exam alternative and/or additional testing may be recommended.