NEUROSURGERY
At VNIoC, we are driven by a passion for delivering cutting-edge veterinary neurology and neurosurgery. Our experience, dedication, and equipment equals or exceeds most tertiary university neurosurgery sections. With a full complement of neurosurgeons and veterinarian anesthesiologists on staff, we provide comprehensive neurosurgical services. This includes emergency MRI and back surgery every weekend and ALL holidays throughout the year.
The most common neurosurgeries we perform at VNIoC
Based on your pet’s diagnosis or the need for exploration, we may recommend surgery for your pet. Prior to any surgery, you will receive an explanation of the surgery, its risks, costs and anticipated outcome.
Veterinary neurosurgeries for spinal problems of the back
Hemilaminectomy: Surgical removal of a portion of the vertebral lamina on one side of the spinal column. Indication: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), spinal cord tumors, vertebral anomalies, spinal cysts.
Dorsal Laminectomy: Surgical removal of a portion of the vertebra's dorsal (top) lamina. Indication: Used for spinal cord tumors, vertebral anomalies, spinal cysts, articular process disease
Dorsal Lumbosacral Decompression: Remove dorsal lamina at the lumbosacral junction. Indication: Decompress spinal cord and nerve roots due to disk protrusion and/or spinal stenosis.
Lumbosacral Stabilization: Fusing or stabilizing the LS junction. Indication: Used to eliminate lumbosacral instability and reduce pain.
Vertebral Fracture Stabilization: Surgically repair the fractured vertebrae using implants. Indication: Restore spinal alignment and stability resulting from trauma.
Veterinary neurosurgeries for cervical spine disease
Ventral Slot Surgery: Surgical approach from underside of neck and drilling through the bones in front of and behind the disk. Indication: Decompress the spinal cord and remove herniated disks in the cervical spine.
Cervical Hemilaminectomy: Surgical removal of a portion of the lamina from one side of the vertebra. Indication: Decompress and explore the lateral aspect of the spinal cord from disk ruptures, spinal cord tumors, and lesions affecting the nerve roots.
Dorsal Laminectomy: Surgical removal of a portion of the dorsal (top) lamina of the vertebra. Indication: Decompress the spinal cord due to tumor, anomalies, and spinal cysts.
Atlanto-Axial Luxation Surgery: Stabilization of the vertebrae using implants.Indication: Congenital or traumatic instability between the first two cervical vertebrae.
Spinal Stabilization for Trauma: Restoration of normal alignment of vertebrae and prevention of further damage. Indication: Fractures or dislocations in the cervical spine.
Veterinary neurosurgeries on the head and skull
Rostral Tentorial Cranectomy: Surgical removal of part of the rostral tentorium cerebelli. Indication: Access lesions in the cerebral hemispheres and other structures in the rostral fossa.
Transfrontal Craniectomy: Bone flap creation through the frontal sinus and the frontal bone. Indication: Lesions affecting the frontal lobes.
Caudal Fossa Craniectomy: Surgical access to the caudal fossa. Indication: Conditions in the cerebellum and brainstem.
Foramen Magnum Decompression: Widening the foramen magnum opening. Indication: Chiari-like malformation, COMS, cerebellar and brain stem lesions.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement: Shunt to drain excess CSF. Indication: Hydrocephalus.
Head Trauma Decompression: Alleviate increased intracranial pressure. Indication: Head trauma.
Skull Fracture Repair: Stabilization of skull fractures. Indication: Depressed or complex skull fractures.
Our commitment to dedicated veterinary anesthesia
We prioritize the comfort and safety of your pet during their procedure. Our imaging department veterinarians, Dr. Elana Rybak and Dr. Abby Cusack have extensive experience in anesthesia, ensuring the highest standard for our patients. Throughout your pet’s procedure, one of our experienced veterinarians will be specifically dedicated to managing your pet's anesthesia— ensuring their comfort and safety every step of the way:
Pre-operative assessment: Evaluating each patient's health status to determine the most appropriate anesthesia protocol.
Anesthesia administration: Carefully administering and monitoring anesthesia during MRI and CT scans.
Post-operative care: Supervising patients during recovery and managing any potential complications.
In addition to managing anesthesia for in-house procedures, our anesthesia team also provides sedation recommendations for outpatients undergoing procedures. These recommendations are tailored to each patient's individual needs and health status, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience.
Our commitment to dedicated veterinary anesthesia allows us to:
Minimize risks: By having specialists manage anesthesia, we reduce the potential for complications and ensure patient safety.
Improve patient comfort: Our anesthesia protocols are designed to minimize discomfort and anxiety during procedures.
Provide expert care: Our anesthesia team brings extensive knowledge and experience to every case, ensuring the highest quality of care.
We understand that anesthesia can be a concern for pet owners, and we are committed to providing clear communication and addressing any questions or concerns you may have. Our goal is to make every procedure as safe and stress-free as possible for your beloved pet.
The technology we use
At VNIoC, our commitment to excellence is reflected in our state-of-the-art neurosurgery suite, equipped with the latest technology and tools to ensure that our neurologists have everything they need to provide the best possible care to their patients. More about the tools we use can be found on our blog.
What to expect with a pet recovering from neurosurgical procedures
Neurosurgery is a major procedure that comes with strict post-operative instructions. Patients will need to be confined for six to eight weeks to fully heal. During that time, we will continue to work closely with the patient, pet parent, and referring veterinarian to ensure a successful recovery.
Some things to keep in mind:
Your pet may require some nursing and physical therapy at home.
For the first two weeks following surgery––or as long as our care team indicates–please keep your pet on crate rest. Rest is crucial for recovery, often for 4-6 weeks, with longer periods for procedures involving implants.
The first few days at home, your pet may urinate and defecate less frequently, seem sore, and not eat and drink as well as before surgery.
Pain medications should be given until your pet is clearly free of all discomfort.
Take short, leashed walks only for elimination purposes, and typically with a carrier to help support them.
A neck harness and sling can be helpful for pets who have had neck or back surgery.
Contact us if you have any concerns: We can provide guidance and address any questions you may have.
TRUSTED EXPERTS FOR YOUR FAMILY
Our veterinarians have more than eight decades of combined experience and are supported by a fantastic team of technicians and administrative staff.
Neurology & Neurosurgery
DR. JAY MCDONNELL
DR. JULIANNA MANNIX
Neurology & Neurosurgery
DR. LARRY GAINSBURG
Neurology & Neurosurgery