Neurology

Pets, especially in urban areas, are exposed to increased risk factors for their neurological health: aging, stressful environment, or genetic predispositions.

What is veterinary neurology?

Veterinary neurology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the study and treatment of nervous system diseases in animals. This includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves that travel the whole body, and even the muscles they control. A healthy nervous system is essential to your companion's well-being, allowing him to move, feel, think and interact with his environment.

As in humans, our dogs and cats may suffer from various neurological conditions, whether sudden or progressive. Early identification of signs is crucial for proper management.

Veterinarian showing images of brain neurology to a owner with a small dog on the table.

Recognizing Signs of a Neurological Problem

Neurological symptoms in animals can be varied and sometimes subtle. It is important to be aware of changes in your partner's behaviour or physical abilities. Here are some signs that should alert you:

  • Convulsions or seizures: Loss of consciousness, uncontrolled movements, pedalling, excessive salivation.
  • Weakness or paralysis: Difficulties in getting up, severe lameness, inability to use one or more legs (may evoke a hernia disc).
  • Loss of balance or disorientation: Stretch course, bent head, turns on itself, seems lost or confused (may occur during dstrokeor vestibular syndrome).
  • Pain: Feeling or movement, refusal to move head or neck, vaulted posture.
  • Trembling: Involuntary, localized or generalized muscle bruises.
  • Changes in behaviour : Sudden aggression, increased anxiety, prostration, unusual malproprety (sometimes related to pain or disorientation, as mentioned in the case of osteoarthritis).
  • Change of vision : Seems to hit objects, pupils of different sizes.

If you observe one or more of these neurological symptoms In your animal, a veterinary consultation is required quickly.

The main neurological conditions

Several types of conditions may cause neurological disorders in dogs and cats:

Brain and spinal cord disorders

The brain and spinal cord can be affected by various diseases such as:

  • Brain tumours (meningiomas, gliomas)
  • Epilepsy (idiopathic/genetic or secondary)
  • Inflammatory diseases (stereoidosensitive meningitis, granulomatous encephalitis)
  • Cranial or spinal cord injuries
  • Stroke
  • The Carré's disease (viral infection with neurological manifestations)

Spinal disorders

The spine protects the spinal cord but may be the seat of problems causing spinal compression:

  • Hernia discs (common in some races such as Teckels or French Bouledogues)
  • Wobbler syndrome (cervical instability, common in large breeds)
  • Degenerative myelopathy (especially in the German Shepherd)
  • Spondylosis and vertebral instability
  • Rachidian trauma

Neuromuscular diseases

These conditions affect the connection between nerves or muscles themselves:

  • Serious Myasthenia (neuromuscular transmission disorder)
  • Polyradiculonevrite (Guillain-Barré syndrome)
  • Myopathy (hereditary or acquired)
  • Peripheral neuropathies

Aging disorders

  • Cognitive dysfunction (equivalent to dementia in elderly animals)
  • Geriatric vestibular syndrome (vertigo and imbalance in elderly dogs and cats)

Our Role: Your First Interlocutor

Even if our clinic does not have a specialist in neurology on site, our team, led by the Doctor Hugues Newspapers, is your first essential point of contact in case of suspicion of neurological disorder. We are here to:

  • Listen carefully to your comments.
  • Complete clinical and neurological examination.
  • Perform the first relevant diagnostic examinations.
  • Set up emergency or support treatments if necessary (management of seizures, pain).
  • Discuss with you possible options: medical treatment manageable at the clinic or need for reference to a Specialist.
  • Follow up in collaboration with the specialist if reference takes place.

Frequently Asked Questions on Neurology

Find here the answers to the most frequently asked questions on this subject.

An epilepsy attack is usually characterized by involuntary movements of the limbs, loss of consciousness, sometimes excessive salivation and loss of urine. It usually lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. A simple malaise may look like a temporary dizziness or weakness, without convulsive movements. In case of doubt, film the episode to show it to your veterinarian, this will help greatly in the diagnosis.

Not necessarily. This symptom may indeed be neurological (such as bone marrow compression), but it may also result from orthopaedic problems ( hip or knee osteoarthritis), muscle, or even general weakness related to age or systemic disease. A clinical examination is required to determine the exact cause and propose appropriate treatment.

Any seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes or repeats quickly, sudden paralysis, respiratory difficulty associated with neurological signs, or loss of consciousness are absolute emergencies. Contact us or a veterinary emergency department without delay.

The prognosis of paralysis depends essentially on its cause and severity. In many cases, especially for rapidly supported herniated discs, partial or complete recovery is possible. The time factor is crucial: the earlier the management, the better the chances of recovery. Functional rehabilitation also plays an important role in neurological recovery.

Does your animal have unusual symptoms or behavior?

Contact our veterinary clinic, we will be able to make an initial assessment, discuss options and best guide you for the health of your companion.(We offer additional appointments by phone)

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