Veterinary Neurological Conditions: What You Need to Know
Veterinary Neurological Conditions: What You Need to Know
The Animal Medical Center has 36 board certified specialists in 17 different specialties. Neurology is a critical specialty at AMC and we are lucky to have three experienced specialists in veterinary neurology who are available to AMC patients seven days a week. The Neurology Service also trains the next generation of veterinary neurologists and currently has three residents in training. Many readers might not be familiar with common neurologic disorders of dogs and cats, so I will highlight them in this blog post.
Top Neurologic Conditions
The most common problems managed by AMC’s Neurology Service include seizures in dogs and cats, disc problems in the backs of dogs, and vestibular disease. A seizure occurs because the electrical system of the brain goes haywire. Seizures occur in all breeds of dogs and cats. Intervertebral disc disease has clear breed predictions. If you have a French bulldog, a dachshund, or a cocker spaniel, your dog is at increased risk of developing a slipped disc. All dog owners should be aware of the problem of slipped discs in dogs and seek emergency care if their dog suddenly can’t walk. When the disc slips out of its normal place, the disc pushes on the spinal cord causing pain and affecting the nerves controlling the back legs. Vestibular disease may also result in the sudden inability to walk, but dogs tend not to be painful, just very dizzy and often nauseous.
Intersection of Medicine and Neurology
Certain medical conditions can mimic neurologic ones. For example, a low blood sugar level deprives the brain of necessary fuel and can result in a seizure that is different than a seizure caused by epilepsy or a brain tumor. Fainting might look like a seizure or an episode of vertigo, but in cats, fainting is commonly caused by heart disease. Pet owners might think shaking is a neurologic condition, but the causes of shaking in dogs include hormone disorders, low calcium levels post-partum, and ingestion of toxic substances.
Neurology Diagnostic Tools
AMC has both a CT scanner and an MRI. Neurology typically uses the MRI to diagnose disorders of the brain and spinal cord. Dogs with back problems have an MRI, often in the middle of the night, before surgery to remove an out of place intravertebral disc. An MRI scan is also the test of choice in patients with seizures. Neurologists may also perform a spinal tap in seizure patients to evaluate the fluid around the brain to determine the cause of the seizures.
If you have a pet with a neurologic condition or want to learn more about veterinary neurology, tune in to “Ask the Vet” on SiriusXM Stars channel 109 on Friday, September 7 at 1pm EDT to hear an interview with AMC’s chief neurologist Dr. Chad West.