Neurology and Neurosurgery Service

The Neurology and Neurosurgery Service provides specialist care for dogs and cats with diseases affecting the nervous system (brain, inner ear and spine) and the neuromuscular system (the nerves and muscles).

The veterinary profession is discovering and learning more about the nervous system and its disorders and our clinicians are at the forefront of driving this understanding. We are fortunate to have state-of-the-art MRI and CT scanners which produce high quality images of the nervous system akin to those obtained in human medicine.

The neurology team is headed by European and RCVS Specialists supported by resident specialists-in-training and a dedicated neurology nurse who works closely with our physiotherapist.

The team works closely with all the other services in the hospital to facilitate whatever treatment patients may need for a holistic treatment approach. This includes:

  • Our physiotherapist works with us to maximise recovery after spinal injury
  • Our Orthopaedics service collaborates with us in the more complicated spinal procedures that require 3D printing for spinal stabilisation
  • Our Oncology service assists with the treatment of patients with tumours (including on-site radiotherapy)
  • Our Dermatology and Soft Tissue Surgery services help with the treatment of ear disease if this is the cause for balance problems
  • Anaesthesia for advanced imaging or surgical procedures is always undertaken by our specialist Anaesthesia service as most of our cases are complex and often challenging to treat
  • All imaging procedures (including MRI and CT) are reviewed and reported on the same day by our specialist Diagnostic imaging service to ensure fast decision-making
  • Other specialist services such as Cardiology and Internal Medicine, will assist with the management of more complex cases that may have several comorbidities and require extra monitoring and support

Common conditions treated at the SATH include:

  • Intracranial (brain) problems such as epilepsy, brain tumours, hydrocephalus, balance problems, meningitis and strokes

  • Spinal cord problems are a large proportion of our caseload. We offer neurosurgery where indicated, working closely with pet owners and our physiotherapist to rehabilitate and optimise patient recovery after problems such as:
    • Intervertebral disc disease (slipped discs)
    • Spinal malformations (often requiring 3D printed guides for spinal stabilisation)
    • Wobbler syndrome, lumbosacral disease (sciatica type problem in dogs), etc.
  • Neuromuscular (nerve and muscle) disorders. These are less common and can be very challenging, but the team can undertake specialised tests (i.e. electrodiagnostic investigations) that allow a better understanding of these conditions and advise on possible treatment options

Referrals are prioritised so that urgent cases are seen as quickly as possible, leading to better patient outcomes. Prioritised referrals can include (but are not limited to) patients who may have lost the use of limbs or those who are showing signs of pain, collapse or seizures.

The neurology team is also very active with clinical research, contributing to the ongoing improvement of the management of canine and feline neurological diseases. The main areas of interest of our clinicians include brain tumours and inflammatory brain disease (often called MUO – meningoencephalitis of unknown origin).

We are currently recruiting dogs for a treatment trial, including surgery and radiotherapy treatment for dogs with a specific type of brain tumour – glioma. Please see the information sheet and get in touch if you would like to participate.