Neurology
The overall purpose of the Neurology specialty group of the American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVIM) is to advance knowledge of neurologic diseases and to foster the continued development of specialty care in veterinary neurology. To achieve the purposes of the Neurology specialty group of the ACVIM, the ACVIM parent organization certifies new Neurology Diplomates by guiding training programs and ensuring fair and appropriate credential and examination procedures.
What is a neurology specialist?
Specialists in veterinary neurology are certified by the ACVIM parent organization. Specialists (sometimes also known as Diplomates) have to meet strict training requirments as outlined below. In order to become a Neurology specialist, a veterinarian must:
- Complete a one-year internship or equivalent training.
- Complete a residency training program (two or three year depending on the institution). In some schools, such as at NC State University, the residency training includes both medical neurology and neurosurgery.
- Fulfill the prescribed credentials requirements.
- Pass both the general Internal Medicine examination and the Neurology certifying examination.
Why might I need a neurology specialist?
If your pet has a neurological problem of any sort, we would strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a board-certified neurologist. Under the term ACVIM Neurology board certification, a veterinary neurologist is considered to be an expert in neurology, which can include both medical neurology and neurosurgery. Some neurologists have more training in neurosurgery than others, and some neurologists choose not to do neurosurgery. The four neurologists at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital are all trained in neurosurgery as well as medical neurology.
Special services and technology
Special services provided through the neurology service include:
- A thorough neurologic examination, which may include video recording where indicated for future analysis or comparison
- Brain and spinal imaging including CT, MRI, bone scan, ultrasound, myelography and survey radiography
- Spinal fluid analysis
- Intensive care
- Neurosurgery of brain, spinal cord, nerve and muscle
- Electrophysiologic examination of nerve and muscle
- Clinical trials for seizure disorders and for spinal cord injury
- Novel approaches to the diagnosis of Infectious Central Nervous System diseases.
- Hearing Clinic - Please contact 919.513.6692 for appointment dates and price quotes.
Referral policy
We accept new cases only if they are referrals from a veterinarian. This ensures that you are initially referred to the most appropriate service within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Some cases, particularly orthopedic or cardiac cases, can show very similar signs to neurologic cases. This policy is also important because once discharged from the hospital, we will need to work with your veterinarian in order to provide continued, high quality care. More...
Canine Epilepsy
- Is the MDR-1 Gene Associated with Treatment Response in Canine Epilepsy?
Contact Information: julie_osborne@ncsu.edu
Companion Animal Epilepsy Research - Evaluating Normal Dogs for Genetic Differences with Respect to Drug Response
Contact Information: carolinacanineepilepsy@gmail.com - Companion Animal Seizures Studies Fund - Developed June 2006
- Lab: 919.513.7235
Clinic: 919.513.6692
Seizure Clinical Trial: 919.513.6144
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trial for Dogs with Acute Disc Herniations
- Brain Tumors in Dogs and Cats
- Encephalitis in Dogs and Cats
- Evaluation of Levetiracetam (Keppra®) as an adjunctive treatment for Canine Epilepsy
Other Links
- American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons
- European College of Veterinary Surgeons
- European College of Veterinary Neurology
- American College of Veterinary Radiology
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
- Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery Online Journal
- Harcourt Brace Health Sciences Company/WB Saunders (for Veterinary Surgery & for Small Animal Spinal Disorders)
Related Resources
- Information on rehabilitation and physical therapy for animals
- The Canine and Feline Neurological Examination Website
- http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/
- http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Resources.html
- http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/docs/seizure/
- http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/cliented/seizures.htm
- MRI information