The Neurology Service is composed of two Board Certified Neurologists and a third Neurologist with expertise in large animal neurology. The service is responsible for the clinical, educational, and research neurology program. Referral appointments, hearing tests (brainstem auditory evoked potentials, BAERs), neurological emergencies, and internal consults in small and large animals are offered through the HSC. The service has one resident, one intern, and a dedicated registered veterinary technician (RVT). Neurology residents are graduate students (DVSc.), and are trained in a medical neurology and neurosurgery program approved by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). The main research interests of the group include central nervous system inflammatory, degenerative, and neoplastic diseases, neurosurgery, canine epilepsy, and electroencephalography (EEG).
What to Expect
Initial consults: Neurology clients are requested to bring the patient fasted (12 hours no food, water is ok) and to arrive a few minutes early to complete paperwork prior to the appointment. Please check with the patient’s family veterinarian prior to the appointment to see if there is any pertinent information that should be brought to the appointment, e.g. radiographs. Clients should expect to first meet the final year student veterinarians assigned to the patient. The resident or the intern, under the close supervision of the Neurology Service faculty neurologist on duty, will lead case discussions. Jennifer Collins, Neurology Service RVT, is an ongoing point of contact for clients. These appointments are expected to take a minimum of 1 hour (please allow 2-3 hours in case of further diagnostics or prolonged discussion).
Rechecks: These may be booked for existing Neurology Service clients through the front desk or by discussion with Jennifer Collins (Neurology Service RVT). Specific instructions will be provided, e.g. fasting if necessary, at the time of recommending the recheck appointment. Please allow at least 30 minutes to an hour for these appointments. Please expect to encounter students and a resident or intern under faculty neurologist supervision.
Drop-off for MRI or other procedures: Please bring the patient fasted (12 hours no food, water ok), unless otherwise instructed. Please expect to encounter students and a resident or intern under faculty neurologist supervision. If the patient is discharged the same day as a procedure requiring general anesthesia, please be aware that the patient may remain sedate for some time after discharge. They may or may not want food or attention. They should be back to pre-anesthesia condition by the next morning – if there are any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HSC at 519-823-8830.
Treatment Services
Hearing tests – brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing
Spinal decompressive surgery for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Diagnosis and medical management of epilepsy
Management of spinal pain
Diagnosis of muscle and nerve disorders – muscle biopsies, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCV)
Diagnosis and management of congenital and degenerative nervous system diseases
Specialized Equipment
Stellate Harmonie EEG Recorder and Reviewer equipment
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Cadwell Sierra Wave (for BAER, EMG, NCV)
Medtronic MagPro Magnetic Stimulator (for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
BrainSight neuronavigation system
Board certification in Neurology requires post-DVM training in an approved program over several years, and usually involves an internship prior to commencement of the residency program. After completing the residency, a candidate must pass in-depth examinations in order to achieve board certification (diplomate status) in Neurology. This extra training and board certification in Neurology brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to aid in the state-of-the-art diagnosis and management of complex or rare neurologic cases. Together with the patient’s family and family veterinarian, the Neurology Service completes the triumvirate of the patient care team.
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