Part 1: Overview & Diagnosis The diagnosis of brain tumor in a much-loved dog or cat can be overwhelming for an owner—and it can be a great concern for the family’s veterinarian who typically doesn’t see this type of condition frequently. The one thing we try to stress to both is: The diagnosis of brain tumor does not mean that the situation is hopeless. In fact, it is curable in many c…Read More

By Jay McDonnell, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) Seizures are one of the most common complaints in veterinary neurology. While canine seizures may be caused by head trauma, brain tumors, toxins, infections, birth defects and many other identifiable causes, the vast majority of seizures in young dogs (one to three years old) are idiopathic or genetic epilepsy. By definition, an idiopathic ep…Read More

Our dog Tinker had to go out for his daily walk.  His story will be posted here again shortly. In the meantime, please review our other blog posts or contact us directly for any information.…Read More

Metronidazole is a synthetic nitroimidazole compound used in small animal practice for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis associated with helicobacter, giardiasis and empirical treatment of diarrhea. Metronidazole is also used to alter intestinal flora in dogs with hepatic encephalopathy and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.  Use of this antibacterial has been advocated in th…Read More

Discospondylitis is an infection of the intervertebral disk and adjacent vertebra and may be associated with significant illness and neurologic impairment if definitive diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial treatment are delayed.  The infection typically spreads to the intervertebral disk via the bloodstream from another source of infection such as the bladder, reproductive organs…Read More

By Jay McDonnell, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) The most common neurosurgical cases for dogs are those of the thoracolumbar (T3-L3) spine, the cervical-cervicothoracic (C1-T2) spine and intracranial surgery. Knowing when to refer your neurosurgical cases can be the most artful of the art and science of veterinary medicine. We wish to provide our patients with the best options for a successf…Read More

By Jay McDonnell, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) 1. What is a spinal arachnoid cyst? A spinal subarachnoid cyst is not actually a cyst; instead it is a fluid-filled dilation within the subarachnoid space. It's best referred to as an Arachnoid Diverticulum (plural=Diverticula).  The term “pseudocyst” has been used to describe this abnormality as well. 2. What are the clinical signs and h…Read More

By Jay McDonnell, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) For more than 15 years, I’ve had a special interest in the definitive treatment of cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM or Wobbler Syndrome). The two most commonly recognized forms of the disease include the static form (young Great Danes and Mastiffs) and dynamic CSM (middle-aged Dobermans, Rottweilers and retrievers). Over the past several yea…Read More

In July, Shannon G. and her family brought home two Yorkie puppies, Benny and his sister, Pippa. After having Benny groomed, they noticed Benny started to wobble. His condition worsened over the next few days to the point where Benny fell and couldn't get up.  "We took him to our regular veterinarian who put Benny on steroids and antibiotics, but when we tried to wean him off the steroids, he got…Read More

By Jay McDonnell, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) 1. Why is my dog trembling or shaking? Could it be a seizure? There are many reasons your dog may be shaking or trembling including stress or anxiety, cold, pain, muscular weakness, a neurological problems, chronic kidney disease and Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS). GTS  is a condition that was first seen in small, white dogs such as Maltes…Read More