What is hydrocephalus in dogs? Well, in Greek, “hydrocephalus” basically translates to “water on the brain.” Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition caused by too much fluid in the brain. As the brain swells with the excess fluid, it becomes compressed within the confines of the skull. Brain compression causes neurological symptoms and can lead to death of the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of Hydrocephalus in Dogs Clinical signs of hydrocephalus in dogs can vary according to which part of the brain is being compressed, the extent of brain damage, the age of the dog when the condition arose, a ..read more

Myasthenia gravis in dogs is one of the most commonly recognized neuromuscular diseases in veterinary medicine. In simple terms, the disease interrupts the way nerves communicate with muscles, resulting in extreme muscle weakness and fatigue. Normally, nerves relay messages from the brain using a chemical called acetylcholine that is received by a receptor on the surface of the muscle cells whenever a dog needs to move. In dogs with myasthenia gravis, there is a deficiency in acetylcholine receptors. The lack of receptors disrupts the signals between the brain and muscles.​ Myasthenia gravis ..read more

Decisions about IVDD treatment in dogs are made based on the severity and the duration of clinical signs. In some cases, IVDD can be managed nonsurgically. However, without timely and appropriate treatment, IVDD can cause irreversible damage. If your dog is showing signs of spinal pain or limited mobility, it is important to consult a veterinary neurologist immediately. What are Signs Your Dog Needs IVDD Treatment? Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is the most common cause of neck and back pain in dogs. The condition occurs when the intervertebral discs that provide the spine with flexib ..read more

ANNPE stands for acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (say that five times fast!) and is a form of intervertebral disc disease in dogs. ANNPE is a neurological emergency that suddenly affects the spinal cord and your dog’s ability to walk. Before we dive all the way into ANNPE, let’s talk a little bit about the spinal cord and intervertebral disc disease in dogs. What is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs? We can’t describe ANNPE or intervertebral disc disease without talking about the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve tissue that carries messages ..read more

Has your dog been diagnosed with epilepsy? Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in dogs. Although an underlying cause is not always found, rest assured that there is an appropriate dog epilepsy treatment to manage your dog’s frequent seizures. What Is Epilepsy in Dogs? First of all, what are seizures? Seizures are unusually strong bursts of electrical activity in the brain. During an episode, your dog may lose consciousness, stiffen up, collapse, twitch, and paddle its legs. It is also common to urinate or defecate. A seizure can last a few seconds or a few minutes, and can be hi ..read more

Senior dogs can have vestibular dysfunction for all the same reasons younger dogs do. However, vestibular disease in old dogs is often due to canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome, which is why it is commonly known as old dog vestibular disease. What Is Vestibular Disease in Old Dogs? The vestibular system is responsible for balance, coordination, and orientation in animals. It is made up of the peripheral vestibular system, including the inner ear and nerves traveling from the ear to the brain, and the central vestibular system, consisting of the brainstem and the cerebellum. Any disturbance ..read more

Masticatory muscle myositis, trigeminal neuritis, and trigeminal nerve sheath tumors are three different neurological diseases affecting the muscles and nerves of the head in dogs. “While these conditions are not exactly rare, they occur just infrequently enough to be confused – even by veterinarians,” points out Dr. Michael Wong, Founder and Veterinary Neurologist at Southeast Veterinary Neurology. So how can we tell them apart? For starters, masticatory muscle myositis causes difficulty opening the mouth, trigeminal neuritis causes difficulty closing the mouth, and trigeminal nerve sheath t ..read more