Services

Veterinary surgeons only

Neurology & Neurosurgery

Neurology is a branch of veterinary medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Our veterinary referral neurology team is trained to investigate, diagnose and treat medical and surgical disorders involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. Our team is also involved in clinical research and national and international teaching activities.

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Our neurology team consists of four European and RCVS Veterinary Specialists in Neurology and a neurology intern. (for more information about European Specialists in Veterinary Neurology please click here)

With onsite MRI, CT and an electrodiagnostic system we are well equipped to manage neurology and neurosurgical cases. Our neurology team is supported by other speciality services, interns and nursing team and this allows pets to receive a state-of-the-art round-the-clock care throughout their hospital stay.

Neurology & Neurosurgery 1
Neurology team 2

Our on-site MRI and CT scanning is performed by our nurse technicians who are trained in acquiring images of the highest quality. One of our imaging technicians has been awarded the status of Veterinary Magnetic Resonance Imager (RVMRI) with the American Association of Veterinary Radiologists (AAVR).

The neurosurgical unit is supported by first rate nursing care and 24 hour patient supervision by veterinary interns. The service is also supported by veterinary physiotherapists. We are one of the few veterinary hospitals using a neurosurgical microscope for spinal and brain surgery in small animals. The surgical microscope features brilliant illumination and customisable options to offer the quality and reliability needed to perform outstanding neurosurgery in small animals.

Our Philips BlueSeal MR 5300 MRI scanner being set up for scan
Neurology team 4

In this video, Rory Fentem (Neurology Specialist) demonstrates a clear step-by-step for veterinary professionals on how best to perform a neurological examination.

The video shows the surgical stabilisation in a dog with incomplete ossification of the atlas.

The video shows the surgical stabilisation in a dog with congenital atlanto-axial subluxation.

Below you can watch videos showing surgeries performed with our neurosurgical microscope. WARNING: these videos contain intraoperative images that may offend the viewers.

This video shows a spinal surgery for the removal of a subarachnoid diverticulum in a young pug performed with our neurosurgical microscope.

This video shows a spinal surgery for the removal of a lateralised extruded intervertebral disc at the cervical spine in a dog performed with our neurosurgical microscope.

This video shows a de-bulking surgery for the removal of a large neoplasm (transitional meningioma) located at the lumbar spinal cord in a Jack Russell Terrier performed with our neurosurgical microscope.

This video shows the surgical biopsy of the common peroneal nerve in a dog.

Neurological disorders that we commonly encounter in our small animal patients include:

  • Epilepsy
  • Meningitis and meningoencephalitis of unknown origin
  • Spine and spinal cord malformations
  • Spinal trauma (vertebral fracture and luxations/subluxations)
  • Brain tumours
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Infectious diseases of the nervous system
  • Neuromuscular disorders.

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If you are a veterinary professional and would like to make a referral, or require pre-referral advice about a patient, please use the online forms.

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Neurology Service Facilities

Meet the Team

Our specialist team working in this department

Selected published literature

  1. Simone Spinillo, Lorenzo Golini, Massimo Mariscoli and Luca Motta (2020). Retrospective evaluation of surgical outcome after closure of durotomy in eight dogs affected by spinal subarachnoid diverticulum. Open Veterinary Journal, 2020, 10(4): 384-391
  2. Motta L (2020). Canine congenital hydrocephalus. Vet Times. Volume 50, Issue 44, Pages 14-15
  3. Alisauskaite N, Spitzbarth I, Baumgärtner W, Dziallas P, Kramer S, Dening R, Stein VM, Tipold A. (2017) Chronic post-traumatic intramedullary lesions in dogs, a translational model. PLoS One. 2017 Nov 22;12(11): e0187746
  4. Wang-Leandro A, Hobert MK, Alisauskaite N, Dziallas P, Rohn K, Stein VM, Tipold A. (2017) Spontaneous acute and chronic spinal cord injuries in paraplegic dogs: a comparative study of in vivo diffusion tensor imaging. Spinal Cord. 2017 Dec;55(12):1108-1116
  5. Alisauskaite N, Cizinauskas S, Jeserevics J, Rakauskas M, Cherubini GB, Anttila M, Steffen F. (2019) Short- and long-term outcome and magnetic resonance imaging findings after surgical treatment of thoracolumbar spinal arachnoid diverticula in 25 Pugs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019 May;33(3):1376-1383
  6. Alisauskaite N, Wang-Leandro A, Dennler M, Kantyka M, Ringer SK, Steffen F, Beckmann K. (2019) Conventional and functional magnetic resonance imaging features of late subacute cortical laminar necrosis in a dog. J Vet Intern Med. 2019 Jul;33(4):1759-1765
  7. Alisauskaite N, Bitterli T, Kircher PR, Pozzi A, Grinwis GCM, Steffen F, Smolders LA. (2020) Evaluation of agreement and correlation of results obtained with MRI-based and macroscopic observation-based grading schemes when used to assess intervertebral disk degeneration in cats. Am J Vet Res. 2020 Apr;81(4):309-316
  8. Alisauskaite N, Beckmann K, Dennler M, Zölch N. (2020) Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings in a Beagle dog with genetically confirmed Lafora disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2020 Jul;34(4):1594-1598
  9. Spinillo, S., Golini, L., Motta, L. (2020) Brain MRI findings in a dog with late onset epileptic seizure after portosystemic shunt attenuation. Veterinary Record Case Reports 8: e001159. doi: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001159
  10. Vicens Zanoguera, L., Pumarola, M., Ruhi, P., Fernandez Rodriguez, P., Luján Feliu-Pascual, A. (2020) Long-term outcome of a surgically resected intracranial vascular hamartoma in a dog. Veterinary Record Case Reports 8: e001107. doi: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001107
  11. Koch BC, Motta L, Wiinberg B, Westrup U, Kristensen AT, Skerritt G, Berendt M and Gredal H (2019) D-Dimer Concentrations and Thromboelastography in Five Dogs With Ischemic Stroke. Front. Vet. Sci. 6:255

  12. Lorenzo Golini, Luca Motta, Massimo Mariscoli (2018). The operative microscope in modern neurosurgery. In Practice. 50(8), pp 20-21

  13. Saulnier Troff F.G., Motta L., De Busscher V. (2017). Commentary: Complete Cranial Iliac Osteotomy to Approach the Lumbosacral Foramen. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 4:106

  14. Mandara MT, Motta L, Calo’ P. (2016) Distribution of feline lymphoma in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The Veterinary Journal 216, 109–116

  1. Motta L (2016). Does medical therapy influence the size of the syrinx in dogs with Chiari-like malformation/syringohydromyelia complex? Journal of Small Animal Practice 57, 278.

  2. Motta L., de Lahunta A. (2015) Canine hemifacial spasm: a misnomer? Journal of Small Animal Practice, 56, 480

  3. Ferreira, A, Sottiaux, J, Mandara, M. T., Motta, L. (2015) Ascending haemorrhagic myelomalacia associated with systemic hypertension in a hyperthyroid cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. Open Reports 1–6

  4. F.G. Saulnier-Troff, V. De Busscher, L. Motta. Improved exposure of the lumbosacral foramen using iliac osteotomy: preliminary results in 6 dogs with severe foraminal stenosis. Proceedings: 17th ESVOT Congress 2014, Venice (Italy), 2nd – 4th October, pp. 363-364

  5. Motta, L. and Dutton, E. (2013). Suspected exercise-induced seizures in a young dog. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 54, 213-218

  6. Gredal, H., Toft, N., Westrup, U., Motta, L., Gideon, P., Arlien-Søborg, P., Skerritt, G.C. & Berendt, M. (2013) Survival and clinical outcome of dogs with ischaemic stroke. The Veterinary Journal Jun;196(3):408-13

  7. Motta, L. and Skerritt, G. C. (2012). Syringosubarachnoid shunt as a treatment for syringohydromyelia in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 53, 205-212

  8. Motta, L., Skerritt, G. C., Denk, D., Leeming, G., and Saulnier, F. (2012). Dermoid sinus type IV associated with spina bifida in a young Victorian Bulldog. Veterinary Record, 170, 127-129

  9. Motta, L., Mandara, M. T., and Skerritt, G. C. (2012). Canine and feline intracranial meningiomas: an updated review. The Veterinary Journal, 192, 153-165

  10. Motta, L., Michal Altay, U., and Skerritt, G. C. (2011), Bell’s palsy with concomitant idiopathic cranial nerve polyneuropathy in 7 dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 7: 397

  11. 14. Motta, L., Michal Altay, U., Kelly, D., and Skerritt, G. C. (2011). Intracranial Germ Cell tumour in an Airedale Terrier dog. European Journal of Companion Animal Practice. 21(2), 179-183.

  12. Motta, L., Michal Altay, U., Carmichael, N., and Skerritt, G. C. (2011). Spinal haemorrhage associated with factor VII deficiency in a young Beagle. European Journal of Companion Animal Practice 21(1), 68-71

  13. Motta, L., Michal Altay, U., Kelly, D. and Skerritt, G. C. (2011), Non-enhancing confirmed oligodendroglioma in three dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 52: 227

   28. Michal Altay, U., Motta, L., Woolley, J., and Skerritt, G. C. CLINICAL SIGNS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RATHKE’S POUCH CYST IN 11 DOGS. Abstract. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Feb 2010, 245

29. Vicens Zanoguera L, Pauciulo C, Corlazzoli D, Cauduro A, Motta L. Does surgical timing affect the rapidity of recovery in deep pain-entire non-ambulatory dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion? J Small Anim Pract. 2022 Oct 31. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13570.

30. Compagnone K, A Upchurch D, Pompermaier E, Motta L. Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disk Extrusion in Dogs: Do Onset of Clinical Signs, Time of Surgery, and Neurological Grade Matter? Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2023 Jul 5. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1770355.