Disorders of the brain, spine, nerves, and muscles are often complex and require specialized care. Our board-certified veterinary neurologists in Silver Spring have the experience and skills to diagnose, treat, and manage a variety of neurological conditions in pets. Apex Vets offers multiple other specialties under one roof, with a highly collaborative team working together to deliver the most complete care to our patients.
Neurologic Conditions We Can Treat in Dogs and Cats
Our pets can develop all kinds of neurological conditions, much like humans can, and these conditions often fall outside the scope of what general practitioners can address. When needed, our neurology specialists can step in to support your primary veterinarian and determine the best course of action for testing and treatment.
Common neurological conditions we see in pets include:
• Intervertebral disc disease/disc herniation
• Seizures
• Movement disorders/paroxysmal dyskinesia
• Vestibular/balance conditions
• Stroke
• Brain and spinal tumors
• Encephalitis/meningitis
• Head trauma
• Congenital malformations of the brain and spine
• Myasthenia gravis and other neuromuscular disorders
How We Diagnose Neurologic Disorders
Apex Vets uses advanced diagnostics to get to the bottom of our patients’ neurological issues. A standard neurologic examination and blood work may yield some information, but to make a definitive diagnosis, we often need more advanced tools to reach a diagnosis.
That’s when we turn to the following diagnostic capabilities to uncover and accurately identify neurological conditions:
Spinal tap and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Computed tomography (CT)
Spinal radiography (X-ray)
Muscle and nerve biopsy
Many of these tests require anesthesia or sedation to achieve accurate results safely. We work closely with our board-certified anesthesiologist for these procedures to provide the best care possible.
What Treatments Are Available?
There may be a few different treatment paths depending on your pet's diagnosis, age, medical history, and other relevant factors. These options may include:
Surgical intervention to treat a brain or spinal cord issue
• Hemilaminectomy/discectomy
• Ventral slot
• Dorsal laminectomy
• Craniotomy
• Foramen magnum decompression
• Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt
Medical management of seizures
Treatment for non-surgical conditions such as:
• Vestibular disease
• Stroke
• Autoimmune and infectious diseases
• Neuropathic pain
Whether your pet’s treatment is limited to medication, involves a combination of traditional and alternative therapies, or requires the skilled hands of our veterinary neurosurgeons, Apex Vets is here to help.
If you have any questions about our neurological services, please feel free to reach out to us at (301) 444-6500.