Neurology

If you believe your pet is having a neurological issue, please go straight to an emergency room. Time is of the essence with many neurological conditions, particularly anything involving partial or complete paralysis.

Neurology is the study of the nervous system. Pets with seizure disorders, tumors of the spine and brain, intervertebral disc disease, inflammatory brain diseases, Wobbler’s syndrome, neuromuscular diseases, and other conditions involving the nervous system can be diagnosed and treated by a veterinary neurologist.

Diagnosis and treatment of a neurological disorder can be complex and challenging. Primary care veterinarians often work with our board certified veterinary Neurologists in managing neurological disorders.

WVRC offers both high-field MRI and CT capabilities onsite, providing rapid, accurate diagnoses for thorough, definitive treatment of nervous system disorders and neurological problems. High-field MRI offers superior image resolution with a much shorter anesthesia time than low-field MRI. High-field MRI units also allow for imaging larger canine patients than low-field units.

The neurosurgeons at WVRC have extensive training in all types of neurosurgery, including laminectomy, ventral slot decompression, cauda equina surgery, and craniotomy.

Neurology Services

• Comprehensive Neurological Examination
• Cerebral spinal Fluid Collection:
  Commonly called a “spinal tap,” this procedure is performed under general anesthesia in animals. A needle is introduced into the spinal fluid space using sterile technique to obtain a fluid sample. The spinal fluid is then analyzed as part of an evaluation of the central nervous system for signs of disease.
• Brain Surgery
  • Craniotomy:
    This is a surgical procedure where a portion of the skull is removed to allow access to the brain. Common indications include head trauma and tumors of the brain.
  • Foramen Magnum Decompression:
    This is a surgical procedure where the foramen magnum of the skull is enlarged to alleviate compression of the cerebellum and brainstem caused by Caudal Occipital Malformation Syndrome.
• Spinal Surgery
  • Hemilaminectomy:
    This surgical procedure removes a portion of the vertebral canal often to allow access to the central nervous system or intervertebral discs.
  • Ventral Slot Decompression:
    This surgical procedure is performed to remove herniated intervertebral disc material from the cervical region of the vertebral column.
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement:
    This is a surgical procedure where excessive fluid pressure within the central nervous system is relieved by placing a sterile stent to drain the fluid into the abdominal cavity. This is most commonly performed to treat hydrocephalus.

Some commonly diagnosed neurological disorders include:

• Atlantoaxial Instability
• Brain Tumors
• Congenital Anomalies
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Diskospondylitis
• Encephalitis
• Epilepsy
• Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
• Head Trauma
• Neuromuscular Disorders (Myasthenia Gravis, Neuropathy)
• Paralysis
• Seizures
• Spinal Fractures
• Spinal Tumors
• Strokes
• Syringohydromyelia
• Vestibular Disease

If you have questions about these conditions, our blog is a valuable resource; select Neurology in the “subject” drop-down menu.