Neurology

Neurology services

• MRI of the spine or brain
• Cerebrospinal fluid collection with on-site analysis
• Epilepsy treatment and drug monitoring
• Encephalitis treatment
• Spinal surgery for disc herniation decompression
• Spinal implants in conditions such as fractures and lumbosacral stenosis
• Minimally-invasive spinal surgery
• Radiation therapy for brain and spinal tumors
• Neuropathic pain management
• Brain tumor biopsy and/or removal
• Spine surgery for tumor resection
• CT and PET of the spine or brain
• Degenerative myelopathy testing
• Myasthenia gravis testing
• Muscle and nerve biopsy
• BAER testing
• Electrophysiologic testing

Conditions we treat

• Brain and spinal trauma: Injury to the brain or spinal cord that generally occurs due to an accident. If you suspect your pet may have sustained trauma, you should have your pet evaluated, even if it isn’t showing symptoms.
• Brain and spinal tumors: Benign or cancerous tumors can put pressure on nearby normal tissue and cause symptoms like seizures, circling, “spacey” behavior, weakness and incoordination, and other signs.
• Cranial nerve diseases: In some cases, inflammation or tumors can affect the nerves of the face and manifest as muscle atrophy, facial droop, or inability to hold the mouth closed.
• Degenerative myelopathy: A non-painful condition of the spinal cord, in which function is slowly lost to the rear limbs, causing weakness and incoordination. It is similar to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in people.
• Disc herniation: A spinal disc herniates (also known as a “slipped disc”) and causes pain in the back or neck, or the disc impinges on the spinal cord and nerves. Sometimes animals can lose the ability to walk normally (weakness and incoordination) and in severe cases, they are unable to move at all (paralysis).
• Encephalitis: Rapid onset of aggressive inflammation in the brain tissue that can be triggered by an infection or over-active immune system. Symptoms vary but may include seizures, circling, “spacey” behavior, weakness and incoordination, and other signs similar to dementia.
• Hydrocephalus: A brain condition where the normal fluid compartments, called ventricles, are enlarged. This can be congenital or secondary to other brain diseases. In dogs born with this condition (congenital), they often have domed-shaped head. Symptoms, if present, may include seizures, signs of dementia, or trouble house training.
• Neuromuscular diseases: Conditions that affect the nerve, muscle, and/or the neuromuscular junction, resulting in weakness.
• Seizures: Disturbances in brain function that can cause episodes of twitching, shaking, loss of awareness, and other signs.
• Wobbler syndrome: Deformities in the vertebrae of the neck cause impingement on the spinal cord and results in issues with either movement or standing. This is more typical in large and giant dog breeds and can also cause weakness and an uncoordinated, wobbly gait.

Specialized technology

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we are able to evaluate the brain and spinal cord of animals with neurological disease. Computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) allow us to evaluate bony structures of the skull and spine, and the metabolic function of the brain.

• Initial exam and consultation – $285
• Annual visit – $285
• Recheck or semi-annual visit – $138
• Prior imaging upload fee – $11 per study
• MRI scan – up to $5,500

To cover the cost of thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing spaces throughout the hospital – including hazardous material disposal and biohazard surveillance and response – a $15 environmental cleaning and safety fee is charged for each visit.

We appreciate having your pet’s records ahead of time to help us review their history prior to the consultation appointment. Have your pet’s primary care veterinarian send them to us via email or fax; be sure they attention any email or fax to Neurology. If you are unable to send medical records before your pet’s initial consultation, please bring copies with you to the appointment; this may impact our team’s ability to review your pet’s medical information in advance.

We do our best to offer the next available MRI appointment slot, but MRI scans are typically booked at least 1-3 days after a consultation, depending on availability. Non-emergent MRI scans are not scheduled on the same day as your first visit.

Please call us at (970) 297-4543 to make a referral. Expedite the referral process by providing your client with any relevant medical history or submitting medical records to us via email.

Complimentary owner and veterinarian consultations can be requested via phone or email.

MRIs can be submitted via email; please provide native DICOM format images, not JPEG format.

After your client’s visit, a veterinarian can contact you via phone with updates about your client’s diagnostics, services, and treatment decisions. You also will receive an official letter that includes diagnostic and treatment information.

Learn more about consultations.