What areas of your pet's body does veterinary neurology cover, and are there common neurological conditions in cats and dogs? Today, we define this branch of veterinary medicine and discuss some common neurological health issues.
What is veterinary neurology?
This specialized area of veterinary medicine involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of pets' central nervous systems.
Your pet's central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. There is a lot happening in these 2 areas:
- Multiple regions in the brain control different aspects of your pet's behavior, general health, and basic life functions, including:
- The cerebrum, or center of conscious decision-making
- The cerebellum, which is involved in movement and motor control
- In cats and dogs, the spinal cord is divided into various regions (in order from neck to tail): cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal segments.
- Meninges are specialized tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord, along with the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.
Why does my pet need to see a veterinary neurologist?
Your primary veterinarian may refer your pet to a neurology specialist if your vet believes that your animal is suffering from a condition related to the health of their central nervous system (the brain or spine).
Symptoms that may prompt your vet to refer you to a veterinary neurologist include:
- Spinal pain
- Loss of balance
- Seizures or problems with movement
- Cognitive or behavioral changes
- Abnormal gait, unexplained weakness or paralysis
What are some common neurological conditions in dogs and cats?
Disorders of the nervous system can lead to a number of conditions such as:
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Epilepsy (seizures)
- Cancer
- Degenerative disorders
- Spinal or brain trauma
- Peripheral nerve diseases
What can a veterinary neurologist do that my regular vet can't?
Board-certified veterinary neurologists receive years of extra education and testing in this specialized field. As such, they possess a more detailed understanding of conditions relating to your pet's nervous system and are able to perform more advanced testing.
Advanced neurology services may include:
- A detailed consultation regarding the brain, spinal cord and neuromuscular issues that your pet is experiencing, such as intervertebral disc disease and other causes of weakness or paralysis, seizure management, encephalitis, tumors, and disorders of hearing or balance
- Advanced Imaging including MRI and CT
- Cerebrospinal fluid collection and analysis
- Electrodiagnostic evaluations including electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), electroencephalography (EEG) and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER)
- Neurosurgery, including hemilaminectomy, ventral slot procedure, craniotomy, stereotactic-guided brain biopsy, ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, stabilization and fusion procedures, fracture repair, nerve and muscle biopsies
- Ultrasound-guided surgery and other procedures
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.