Neurology

Our neurosurgery team is led by Dr. Jill Narak, DVM, MS, DACVIM. The Neurology & Neurosurgery Services takes referrals from your primary care veterinarian or from other HVSE services for cases that require advanced imaging, neurosurgery, or specialized treatment for neurologic diseases. Our Neurology Service treats animals with neurological disorders such as seizures, abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord, infectious diseases, central nervous system conditions, and inflammatory brain diseases. This includes common problems such as epilepsy, herniated disks, spinal and head injuries, meningitis, and cancers of the nervous system. We provide diagnostic testing, medical care, and surgery for dogs and cats, as well as 24-hour emergency care for animals with immediate neurological and neurosurgical needs. The Neurology team works with advanced technology, including MRI and CT imaging, to provide comprehensive care for your pet.

The goal of the neurology & neurosurgery service of the Veterinary Specialists and Emergency is to provide the highest level of medical neurology and neurological surgery in conjunction with consistent and effective communication with the client and referring veterinarian. The service is staffed Monday – Thursday.

Only Diplomates of the ACVIM have completed a 3-year residency year residency in veterinary neurology/neurosurgery and passed a series of national qualifying examinations. No other veterinarians have received as much rigorous and complete training and testing in the field of veterinary neurology/neurosurgery.

Common disorders treated:

• Seizures
• Intervertebral disc herniation
• Spinal cord disease (resulting in paralysis)
• Neuromuscular disease (such as myasthenia gravis)
• Brain disorders (tumors, stroke, head trauma, inflammatory disease, malformations)
• Vestibular disease
• Sleep disorders
• Neck and back pain
• Lumbosacral syndrome

 

Commonly performed procedures:

• MRI and CT scans
• Collection of cerebrospinal fluid (spinal tap)
• Muscle biopsy
• Nerve biopsy
• Tensilon testing
• Spinal surgery (for disc herniation, vertebral fractures, tumors, congenital malformations, “Wobbler’s” syndrome, and lumbosacral syndrome)
• Brain surgery (for tumor removal, biopsies, and congenital malformations)

 

Appointments are typically scheduled in the morning, Monday through Thursday of each week,
with diagnostic procedures, surgeries, and treatments performed in the afternoon or scheduled accordingly. Emergency consultations can be performed as needed and will be incorporated into her schedule based on availability. The initial appointment usually lasts approximately 45 minutes. Food should be withheld 12 hours prior to the initial examination. Water should be withheld after 8 AM on the same day as the examination. Please bring your pet’s current medications, medical records and any previous x-rays to the initial appointment. Diagnostics such as bloodwork, radiographs, and MRI may be performed. Surgery, if necessary, will be discussed and scheduled.

If surgery is performed, you will be contacted by the doctor after surgery and updated periodically during your pet’s stay at HVSE. A discharge appointment will be set up and all details of your pet’s post-operative care and medications will be provided in a report and discussed with you.

Your referring veterinarian will be updated on your pet’s progress and all records are available to them immediately through our rVetlink portal. Our staff is always available by phone to answer any questions you may have during and after your pet‘s stay at HVSE.