If you notice that your pet's behavior has changed or if he or she displays signs of weakness, difficulty standing or walking, or experiences a traumatic injury - your pet may have a neurologic condition that needs to be addressed by a board-certified neurologist.
At your pet’s initial consultation, our board-certified neurologist will perform a full physical exam and will discuss other non-invasive tests to assess and diagnose your pet’s condition. Our goal is to determine what area of your pet’s nervous system has been affected, why it has been affected, and to what degree.
Our neurology team will thoroughly discuss diagnostic results, your pet's prognosis, and recommended treatment options with you during the consultation. We will also update your primary care veterinarian and keep them involved every step of the way. You may be asked to return for check-ups and continued management depending on your pet's condition.
The Neurology/Neurosurgery service at Avets is available to evaluate, diagnose, and treat your pet’s symptoms of neurologic dysfunction. Examples include weakness, paralysis, back and neck pain, seizures, gait abnormalities, circling, and balance disorders.
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with our neurologist, please fill out our appointment request form below so we can coordinate a referral from your primary care veterinarian.
Our on-site neurological diagnostic capabilities include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) can tell our specialists very detailed information on the area of the body being imaged. This versatile imaging procedure is performed on pets under anesthesia, so we often reserve it for cases needing a more sensitive diagnostic technique. MRI is most commonly used to help diagnose conditions of the brain and spinal cord, including causes of seizures, certain cancers, disc herniations, and many other conditions. The MRI is interpreted by our board-certified neurologist and a board-certified radiologist; we use these results to help guide further diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
Computed Axial Tomography (also referred to as CAT scan or CT scan) is a versatile imaging procedure that can be used to evaluate almost every part of your pet’s body. Because CT scans are performed under heavy sedation or anesthesia, they are often reserved for cases where a more sensitive diagnostic technique is needed. They can help identify conditions in bones, the chest, spine, nasal cavity, and stomach. CT scans, interpreted by a board-certified veterinary radiologist, are used by Avets' veterinary specialists or can be ordered by your primary care veterinarian.
A spinal tap involves the collection of a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) under general anesthesia via a very small needle. Cerebrospinal fluid normally surrounds the brain and spinal cord, and any microscopic abnormalities seen in cerebrospinal fluid can help us diagnose a variety of different inflammatory conditions, cancers, and infectious diseases. We often use our MRI or CT images to decide whether performing a spinal tap will be a helpful additional diagnostic tool while your pet is under anesthesia.
Neurosurgery options for pets have come a long way, and the advancements in this field are comparable to those in human medicine. Many neurological diseases, conditions, and injuries can be improved or even cured with surgery. Our board-certified neurologist and surgeons have access to the most advanced technology available and will work with you and your primary care veterinarian on deciding and implementing the best approach.
