Speciality Services
neurology
Animals that have injury to the spinal cord or brain are referred to the neurologist
for care. The neurologist has specialized training in treating disorders affecting
the brain that are caused by injury or by biologic reasons. Congenital neurological
disorders affecting the brain include juvenile seizures, distemper virus, and
encephalitis. Disorders affecting the spinal cord can include disk herniations
(“slipped disks”), L-S pain, Wobblers disease and spinal fracture.
Unfortunately, some dogs are pre-disposed to certain neurological conditions
such as daschunds (“slipped disks”) and Dobermans (Wobblers). These
conditions may or may not respond to medical management with steroids and careful
activity. In the cases where surgery is warranted, the neurologist and surgeons
are able to help. They can perform surgery to alleviate the impingement on
the spinal cord that is causing the paralysis. It is important to note that
each patient is very unique and no two surgeries heal the same way. You will
be shown how to care for your dog after surgery and how to help in the healing
process by performing physical therapy to strengthen your dog.
The plan to proceed with or without surgery is made by using advanced diagnostic
studies such as MRI, CT, EMG or myelography (dye study of the spinal cord).
Using these studies helps identify the part of the spinal cord that is affected
and determine if surgery can help the condition. MRI is especially important
in identifying brain lesions (potential tumors) that may be able to be surgically
removed.
Seizure is the most familiar neurological disease to most owners and can happen
for a variety of reasons. Infection, breed and other factors such as toxin
ingestion can cause your pet to seizure. It is important to get to the root
of the problem so that appropriate therapy can be started. While many patients
may be started on medications to control the seizures, it is important to remember
that follow-up care is vital in ensuring the appropriate medication dose is
being given to your pet.
• |
PBVS utilizes advanced cross-sectional imaging technology
with a GE 1.5 Tesla MRI unit and a GE helical Discovery PET/CT scanner.
Both modalities of Cross-sectional imaging provide a detailed method to
evaluate the brain, spinal cord, lungs, abdomen, bones and joints. Both
are non-invasive, not painful to the patient and allow for accurate diagnosis
and treatment planning. |
• |
Our VIASYS Electrodiagnostic machine is a top of the line unit found
in many human neurology practices. Electrophysiologic evaluation is important
in the diagnostic workup for animals with peripheral nerve, muscle and
neuromuscular junction disease. The use of this machine can aid in the
diagnosis of diseases such as brachial plexus injury, diabetic neuropathy,
Cushing’s myopathy, myotonia congenita, myasthenia gravis and botulism.
The electrodiagnostic machine is also utilized to perform auditory studies
(BAER testing) to evaluate for congenital and aquired hearing loss. |
