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health, wellness & business ~ VCA Star of Excellence 2013 NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS IN PETS: From Diagnosis to Treatment by Claudia Dolphin When a pet has a seizure or suddenly loses the ability to move normally, it causes great distress for the pet and even greater concern for the pet's human family. Diseases of the nervous system are fairly common in our pets; fortunately, there are veterinarians who specialize in neurology, and in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in South Weymouth is a comprehensive pet healthcare facility with highly trained specialists on staff. We recently spoke with Dr. Stephanie Kube and Dr. Liran Tzipory, the two veterinary neurologists at VCA South Shore, about the different types of neurological conditions they treat. They described the important signs and symptoms of these types of illnesses and the treatment options available to restore a good quality of life. What are some of the more common neurological conditions that you see in animals being cared for at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital? -SSM We see pets with a variety of neurological conditions that develop either as a result of chronic disease, or acutely due to an accident or injury. Seizure disorders (epilepsy), brain tumors (especially meningiomas in cats) and intervertebral disc herniation (bulging or collapsed discs) are among the most common disorders we treat. -VCA What causes seizures in pets? Can you describe the types of treatments available for seizures? - SSM Seizures are one of the most common neurological disorders we treat in dogs. As is also true in humans, seizures in pets have a range of presentations: they may appear as momentary twitching or jerking in a particular part of the body, an intermittent suspension of active attention (gazing), or full body convulsions—with loss of consciousness and temporary cessation of breathing. It is possible for a seizure to occur as a single, isolated incident. However, it is more likely that after an initial seizure episode there will be additional ones to follow if the pet is left untreated. Seizures are often a symptom of other diseases or disorders. Brain tumors, inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system and infection are 54 some of the culprits. More commonly, seizures are an inherited condition of unknown origin; seizures of this nature are known as epilepsy. The treatment for seizures depends upon the cause of the disorder, as well as the duration and pattern of the episodes. In most cases, relief can be obtained through the use of anti-inflammatory or anticonvulsant medications. However, surgery may be warranted when there is an injury to the brain or a brain tumor. While it is unlikely that all future seizures will be completely halted through treatment, the goal of any therapy is to decrease the severity of, and increase the time between, each episode. -VCA What should someone do if his or her pet has a seizure? - SSM Despite their alarming nature, most seizures pass without immediate need for care. However, if a seizure continues for longer than two minutes, it is an emergency and should be treated as such. In either case, a thorough neurological examination is recommended for any pet that has experienced a seizure. At VCA South Shore Animal Hospital, the skilled staff of our neurology service will evaluate any pet that is presented for seizures to help determine the best course of treatment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology is a very important diagnostic modality that allows us to thoroughly evaluate the central nervous system and hopefully pinpoint any significant abnormalities. Fortunately, our MRI is conveniently located right within our building, which allows us to expedite the entire diagnostic process, thus enabling treatment to be initiated as soon as possible. -VCA VCA is currently participating in a clinical trial for a new anticonvulsant drug. How do dog owners benefit from participation in this study, and what are the criteria for inclusion? - SSM Just as in human medicine, newly developed drugs for pets require FDA approval. VCA South Shore Animal Hospital is currently participating in a multicenter clinical trial for a new anticonvulsant drug. We are enrolling dogs with unexplained seizures that have not yet had a diagnostic workup. If your dog qualifies, we will provide a physical examination, blood and urine tests, a complete neurological evaluation, and an MRI, free of charge. This study is "controlled," meaning that some dogs will receive