Neurology

What is a board-certified veterinary neurologist?

A board-certified veterinary neurologist is a veterinarian who provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with neurological disorders of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. In addition to completing an undergraduate university degree and four years of veterinary school, a board-certified veterinary neurologist has completed an internship and residency in the specialized field of neurology (an additional 4 years of training after becoming a veterinarian). In addition to this extensive training, a board-certified veterinary neurologist must pass two rigorous examinations to achieve board-certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Why should I seek the care of a board-certified neurologist?

A veterinary neurologist has specialized training in diseases of central and peripheral nervous system. A veterinary neurologist can provide you and your pet with specialized knowledge, diagnostics, and treatments thereby enhancing your pet’s quality of life and giving you more special moments with your beloved pet. Your pet may benefit from a neurology consult if your animal has experienced any of the following problems:

Paresis/Paralysis (can’t move or feel) or weakness of one or more limbs

• knuckling, dragging leg(s), abnormal gait
• monopareseis/monoplegia (one limb), paraparesis/paraplegia (hind limbs), tetraparesis/tetraplegia (all 4 limbs)
• inability to stand, inability to move 1 or more limb(s)

Balance Disorders

• lack of balance, head tilt, circling, nausea, falling/rolling, eyes flickering (nystagmus), tremors, uncoordination (ataxia), Horner’s syndrome, exaggerated gait/high stepping (hypermetria)

Vision Disorders

• blindness, walking into object

Seizures

• sudden/violent shaking, paddling, dilation of pupils, unresponsive/staring, loss of consciousness, salivating/drooling, stiffness, twitching, involuntary urination/defecation

Pain

• crying out, holding up limb, low head carriage, tense muscles, decreased/limited mobility, changes in appetite

Other Neurological Signs

• difficulty swallowing or chewing, decreased facial movement, voice changes, muscle atrophy of the head, collapsing, hearing loss, behavior changes (confusion, pacing, wandering), lock jaw (trismus), dropped jaw.

For what conditions might my primary care veterinarian refer my pet to a neurologist?

• Arachnoid Cyst
• Atlantoaxial Joint Instability
• Brain Tumors
• Cerebellar Disorders
• Chiari Malformation
• Deafness
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Epilepsy
• Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis
• Head Trauma
• Hydrocephalus
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Lumbosacral Disease
• Metabolic Brain Disorders
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Myositis
• Necrotizing Encephalitis
• Neuropathies
• Neurotoxins
• Polyneuropathy
• Spinal Trauma
• Tremor Syndromes
• Vestibular Disease
• Wobbler’s Syndrome

How do I make a Neurology appointment?

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages animal owners to obtain a referral from their regular veterinarian whenever possible. This ensures the proper transfer of medical information, is beneficial to the animal and the specialty veterinarian, and will help your companion receive the appropriate care.

Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment. If you have not heard from us within 24 hours of your veterinarian sending a referral, please contact a client care representative at 604-514-8383.

If you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a veterinarian, please contact a Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital client care representative at 604-514-8383.

When are neurology appointments available?

Neurology appointments are scheduled on weekdays. Please contact the neurology service at 604-514-8383 if you have questions about an appointment.

In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or require immediate intervention before your appointment, please contact our hospital and we can see you on an emergency basis through the emergency service.

What is the cost of a Neurology appointment?

There will be an initial consult fee for the appointment. Once your pet has been examined and you have had a discussion with the Neurologist regarding diagnostic and treatment options, you will be presented with an itemized treatment plan for the options presented to you. You may accept or decline any option.

What should I bring to my initial neurology appointment?

Please bring your pet and any current medications. Your family veterinarian should have provided records prior to your visit. However, it is a good idea to bring an extra copy of your pet’s records just in case. Please bring any x-rays/radiographs that have been performed. It is acceptable for your family veterinarian to send digital x-rays/radiographs prior to your visit.

How long is the appointment?

The initial consult may last up to one hour. We are often able to perform diagnostic procedures, treatments and surgeries on the same day as your initial appointment, in which case you may be leaving your pet with us for several hours or for the day. If your pet requires surgery, he or she will stay overnight at least one night and maybe more depending on the expected recovery time. We are open 24-hours per day, so animals may be picked up in the evening if necessary.

Recheck appointments may last up to a half an hour (or more if any procedures are required).

Does my pet need to be fasted for neurology appointments?

Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your appointment; it is ok to give your pet water up until the appointment. Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).

Should I give my pet his or her medications?

If your pet is on any medication, please withhold the medication(s) the morning of the consult with the exception of any anti-seizure medications. Please bring all medications to the appointment with you for evaluation.

What should I expect during my initial neurology appointment?

Initial neurology appointments may take up to an hour or more. When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with Reception. The receptionist will advise the neurology service that you have arrived.

An neurology assistant or technician will bring you into an exam room with your pet, complete a history form, and perform a check of your pet’s vital signs (such as heart rate, temperature, etc). The neurologist will then review the information and examine your pet. Once this is complete, the neurologist will go over the diagnosis (or any further testing that may be required to reach a diagnosis) and treatment options. Each option will be thoroughly explained so that you can make an informed choice for your pet.

A treatment plan will be prepared for you based on your pet’s specific needs. A treatment plan will be explained and authorized by you prior to diagnostics or treatment.

We are often able to perform diagnostic procedures and treatments on the same day as your initial appointment, in which case you may be leaving your pet with us for several hours or for the day. Unless your pet requires surgery, it is unlikely that he or she will stay overnight. We are open 24-hours per day, so animals may be picked up in the evening if necessary.