• pain
• paralysis
• weak or wobbly walking
• difficulty rising from sitting or lying position
• knuckling, scuffing, or dragging the paws
• urinary or fecal incontinence
• limp tail
• intermittently holding up a leg

• seizures or unusual episodes
• behavior changes
• circling
• pacing
• getting stuck in corners
• head pressing or head tilt
• involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
• blindness or bumping into walls
• head tremors
• incoordination

• easily fatiguing
• short-strided gait
• change in bark
• sometimes frequent regurgitation (in association with weakness)

Atlantoaxial luxation is a spinal abnormality involving movement between the first and second neck bones. Toy and small breed dogs are prone to this condition, as are pets that undergo spinal trauma. An MRI and/or a CT is best for diagnosis and atlantoaxial luxations can be treated medically or surgically.

Brain and spine tumors are most common in older pets. Common tumors include meningiomas, gliomas, pituitary tumors, choroid plexus tumors, and lymphoma. An MRI with or without a spinal tap are used to diagnose cancer. Medical, surgical, and/or radiation therapies are ideal depending on the tumor type.

Neurologic trauma can occur from severe events such as being hit by a car to more benign events like jumping off of a couch. Patients with polytrauma (damage to multiple organs/organ systems) may involve treatment from our Emergency and Critical Care teams to be stabilized. X-rays, CT, and/or MRI may be recommended depending on the case and type of injuries noted on exam. Both medical and surgical options may be required depending on the severity and type of injury.

Chiari-like malformation is a complex disease process where the space within the skull is too small for the brain. This can cause syringomyelia (spinal fluid build-up in the spinal cord), but Chiari-like malformation is not the only cause of syringomyelia. Small breed dogs are susceptible to this congenital disease, especially the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  An MRI is often diagnostic and medical management is recommended prior to attempting surgical resolution.

Cognitive dysfunction is an age-related deterioration of the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people.  This condition is most common in small breed dogs but can affect any cat or dog. The symptoms are very similar to those caused by brain tumors.  An MRI with or without a spinal tap are the best diagnostic tools.  Multiple medications are often recommended to help ameliorate the symptoms, though there is not cure.

As in humans, inherited spine malformations can be common in pets. Abnormal twists and turns of the spine can cause spinal cord compression. This is most common in brachycephalic dogs such as the French Bulldog and Pug, or in the Manx cat.  X-rays, MRI, +/- CT are diagnostic tools which may be recommended. Medical management is often recommended as surgery is not a good option for these pets.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is an inherited spine disease similar to “ALS” (known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).  This disease is seen in older dogs causing progressive and non-painful weakness and incoordination of the back legs.  It is most common in German Shepherds but can be caused in other dog breeds as well.  Often an MRI with or without spinal tap are recommended to rule out other spine diseases. A genetic test for DM can be diagnostic.  Treatment involves intensive rehabilitation.

Discospondylitis is an infection of the intervertebral disc and adjacent spine bones.  Dogs are most commonly affected. Infections of the spine can develop from hematogenous spread of existing infections, a direct injury to the spine, or a migrating foreign body.  X-rays, MRI, and/or CT are all diagnostic options for discospondylitis and additional blood and urine tests can determine the cause of the infection.  Treatment is typically a long course of antibiotics as well as pain medications.

Seizures can be caused by structural brain disease (meningitis, tumors, strokes, etc.), metabolic disease (low blood sugar, abnormal liver blood vessels, etc.), or an inherited epilepsy.  Any animal can suffer from epilepsy.  The best diagnostic tools are MRI, and sometimes a spinal tap is also recommended to determine the underlying cause of the seizure disorder.  Treatment involves anticonvulsants, as well as treating the underlying cause of seizures (if any).

Facial paralysis is similar to “Bell’s palsy” in humans (a sudden weakness/ paralysis of the facial muscles).  This can be from an unknown cause, or secondary to things like a middle ear infection, tumor, etc.  An MRI with or without a spinal tap may be recommended to diagnose Facial Paralysis. Treatment often involves medical management.

Hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain” occurs when there is an excess of spinal fluid in the brain. This can originate from a number of different causes in dogs and cats. MRI is typically the best diagnostic tool and treatment can involve medications and sometimes surgical intervention.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) occurs when the cushions of the spine (intervertebral discs) dry out. This causes a protrusion or extrusion of the disc, which compresses the spinal cord and/or the nerve roots.  Clinical signs range from pain alone, walking with incoordination/weakness, to complete paralysis.  While both dogs and cats can be affected, it is most common in brachycephalic dogs such as the French Bulldog, dachshund… etc.  MRI or CT are often recommended and treatment includes medical or surgical options. When a pet is having difficulty walking, it is important to seek a veterinary neurologist as soon as possible. This condition is time-sensitive and the prognosis worsens with time. We also offer minimally-invasive laser disc ablation- a preventative procedure for brachycephalics, performed by Dr. Bernier. 

*including meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology [MUE], optic neuritis, steroid-responsive meningitis and arteritis [SRMA], and more.

There are a number of different conditions causing inflammation in the nervous system.  Dogs typically have an auto-immune cause to their nervous system inflammation, while cats often develop this from an infectious cause.  MRI and spinal tap with or without infectious disease testing are the best diagnostic tools. Treatment may involve antibiotics and medications to help suppress the immune system, such as an oral steroid.

Myositis means inflammation of the muscles, and may be cause by auto-immune processes or infections.  Blood tests, infectious disease testing, and muscle biopsies may be recommended. Treatment may involve antibiotics and medication to help suppress the immune system, such as an oral steroid. 

Neurologic toxins can cause a broad array of symptoms. Blood tests and an MRI may be recommended.  Treatment often involves hospitalization with supportive care and collaboration with our Emergency and Critical Care team for continued stabilization.  

There are many neurologic diseases which can cause weakness and fatiguing in dogs and cats.  While a neurologic exam can point to neuromuscular disease, it can be difficult to identify the particular neuromuscular disease that your pet has, therefore comprehensive diagnostics are often recommended.  Diagnostic tools include blood work, x-rays, ultrasound, and sometimes nerve/muscle biopsies are utilized in these cases.  Treatment is typically a course of medications, but specific treatment depends on the underlying neuromuscular disease. 

Just like in humans, dogs and cats can experience strokes affecting the brain and spinal cord.  Brain strokes are most common in older patients and can be caused by an underlying disease such as high blood pressure or kidney disease.  Strokes to the spinal cord, known as fibrocartilaginous embolism myelopathies (FCEM), are more common in large breed dogs and typically occur acutely during exercise/ activity. An MRI with or without a spinal tap are the best diagnostic options. Additional testing such as blood and urine tests, and blood pressures, may be recommended to rule out metabolic diseases leading to brain strokes.

Subarachnoid diverticula (“spinal cysts”) are formed from the buildup of spinal fluid, compressing the spinal cord.  They can be caused by other conditions (such as congenital vertebral malformations, intervertebral disc disease, etc) or independent of other spinal disease. This condition is most common in dogs, especially the French Bulldog and Pug.  The best diagnostic tool is an MRI, and there can be either medical or surgical treatment.

Vestibular dysfunction is similar to vertigo in humans. Symptoms include head tilt, involuntary eye movement (nystagmus), and incoordination (listing/ leaning/ rolling). This condition is seen in cats and dogs, and can be from conditions such as auto-immune brain inflammation, brain tumors, strokes, middle/inner ear infection, and other causes.  Vestibular dysfunction can even be idiopathic (“old dog vestibular dysfunction”).  An MRI with or without a spinal tap are the best diagnostic options.  Treatments may include resolving the underlying cause, as well as supportive care with anti-nausea medication.

Wobblers disease is a complex condition affecting the neck.  There are two types of Wobblers. Type 1 is the bone (osseous) form. The bones of the neck protrude into the spinal cord of young giant breed dogs such as the Great Dane. Type 2 is the disc form. The intervertebral discs of the neck protrude and compress the spinal cord in older dogs such as the Doberman Pinscher.  MRI with or without a CT are the best diagnostic tools, and there are both medical and surgical treatments.