Neurology and Neurosurgery
Neurology and Neurosurgery overview
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- Willows has an experienced team of small animal Neurology and Neurosurgery clinicians that include:
- three Neurology Specialists
- five Surgical / Orthopaedic Specialists
- We regularly speak at conferences and CPD meetings in the UK and overseas
- Dogs and cats with all types of neurological problem are welcomed
- Urgent cases are seen the same day
- An emergency service is provided, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year
- Our hospitalised patients benefit from:
- intensive care facilities
- 24-hour veterinary and nursing care
- Free telephone advice is given with the minimum of delay
Personnel
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RCVS/European Neurology Specialists |
Neurology/Neurosurgeon Clinician |
Neurology/Neurosurgeon Resident |
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DVM DipECVN MRCVS |
DVM DipECVN MRCVS |
DVM MRCVS |
BVetMed MRCVS |
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RCVS/European Neurology Specialists
Sebastien Behr
DVM DipECVN MRCVS
Raquel Trevail
DVM DipECVN MRCVS
Neurology/Neurosurgeon Clinician
Roberto José-López
DVM MRCVS
Neurology/Neurosurgeon Resident
James Elford
BVetMed MRCVS
Fully supported by our Orthopaedic Specialists led by Malcolm McKee DSAO, and a team of on-site Imaging, Anaesthesia and Medicine Specialists
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Neuroimaging |
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Willows has unsurpassed neuroimaging facilities and personnel:
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Willows high field GE 1.5-tesla MRI scanner 
MRI – a Cavalier KCS with syringomyelia and Chiari brain malformation. 
MRI scan showing hippocampal necrosis in a cat's brain 
Diffusion MRI – a sensitive sequence for revealing brain infarction (arrow) |
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Neuroimaging
- Imaging Specialists Paul Mahoney DVR DipECVDI,
Andrew Parry DipECVDI, Lizza Baines DVR DipECVDI - Highly experienced radiographer Andrew Tanner BSc(Hons)
- Team of Specialist-led anaesthetists providing optimal anaesthesia care
for each patient - Every MRI and CT study is bespoke and tailored to the patient:
- our neurology Specialists, imaging Specialists and radiographer liaise throughout the scan
- We aim to scan all patients where appropriate on the day of their appointment:
- priority is given to urgent and emergency cases
- High field magnet MRI scanner (1.5-tesla)
- fast scanning with extensive range of coils to maximise image quality
- CT scanner (rapid 16-slice), enabling 3D reconstruction and CT-myelography
- Advanced imaging studies include:
- high resolution 3D MRI reconstruction
- to evaluate fine structures such as cranial and spinal nerves
- diffusion MRI (ADC mapping)
- to evaluate cerebrovascular accidents
- high resolution 3D MRI reconstruction
Willows high field GE 1.5-tesla MRI scanner
MRI – a Cavalier KCS with syringomyelia and Chiari brain malformation.
A microchip MRI artefact is present
MRI scan showing hippocampal necrosis in a cat's brain
Diffusion MRI – a sensitive sequence for revealing brain infarction (arrow)
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Spinal surgery |
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Our neurosurgical team is able to perform a broad range of spinal procedures, including the most complex challenging techniques.
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Intradural extramedullary tumour (spinal meningioma) in a Boxer 
CT scan of a T10-T11 fracture-luxation in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Post-op CT scan shows vertebral body screws and bone cement |
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Spinal surgery
Our neurosurgical team is able to perform a broad range of spinal procedures, including the most complex challenging techniques.
- Ventral slot
- Hemilaminectomy
- Disc fenestration
- Dorsal laminectomy
- Vertebral fracture and luxation
- Vertebral malformation
- Arachnoid cyst, spina bifida, dermoid cyst
- Lumbosacral stenosis
- Spinal neoplasia
Intradural extramedullary tumour (spinal meningioma) in a Boxer
CT scan of a T10-T11 fracture-luxation in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Post-op CT scan shows vertebral body screws and bone cement
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Brain disorders |
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MRI – 6 m.o. WHWT with seizures. 
MRI of the brain of a Lurcher with hypertrophic pachymeningitis (arrows) 
Intracranial haemorrhage in a dog with thrombocytopaenia – T2 gradient echo MRI |
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Brain disorders
- Seizure diagnosis and management:
- MRI and CSF collection supervised by an anaesthetist due to increased risks
- 1 to 1 nursing and constant rate infusions (CRIs) for unstable epileptic patients
- we have extensive experience of novel anti-epileptic drugs
- Inflammatory CNS diseases:
- meningitis, pachymeningitis, encephalitis
- multimodal immunosuppressive therapies
- rapid in-house CSF analysis – Cytospin/cytology
- we have published on inflammatory CNS diseases1, 2
- Peripheral and central vestibular conditions
- Cranial nerve disorders (e.g. facial paralysis, trigeminal neuritis)
- Paroxysmal conditions (e.g. movement disorders, narcolepsy-cataplexy)
- Brain malformation (e.g. hydrocephalus, hydranencephaly)
- Brain neoplasia
MRI – 6 m.o. WHWT with seizures.
Hydranencephaly visible as a large fluid filled structure involving the cerebrum
MRI of the brain of a Lurcher with hypertrophic pachymeningitis (arrows)
Intracranial haemorrhage in a dog with thrombocytopaenia – T2 gradient echo MRI
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Brain surgery |
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Indications for brain surgery include:
We are able to optimise the outcome for such challenging cases due to our Specialist training, multi-disciplinary approach, state-of-the-art surgical facilities and 24-hour intensive care provision. We are happy to discuss the suitability of brain surgery with you or your clients, even if the imaging study has been performed elsewhere. |
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Brain surgery
Indications for brain surgery include:
- Brain abscess / empyema
- Certain brain tumours e.g. meningioma in cats and dogs
We are able to optimise the outcome for such challenging cases due to our Specialist training, multi-disciplinary approach, state-of-the-art surgical facilities and 24-hour intensive care provision.
We are happy to discuss the suitability of brain surgery with you or your clients, even if the imaging study has been performed elsewhere.
6 m.o. Jack Russell Terrier with a brain tumour.
Brain surgery being performed by two of Willows’ neurology Specialists
Preoperative MRI scan and photograph of the dog the day following surgery
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Spinal disorders |
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Our Specialists have extensive experience of a wide variety of spinal disorders in dogs and cats3.
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MRI of a Doberman with cervical spondylopathy 
MRI scan – disc extrusion with severe spinal cord compression at L2-L3 |
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Spinal disorders
Our Specialists have extensive experience of a wide variety of spinal disorders in dogs and cats3.
- Disc herniation – acute and chronic
- Cervical spondylopathy ('wobbler syndrome')
- Syringomyelia and Chiari malformation
- Spinal trauma
- Meningitis, meningomyelitis, discospondylitis
- Spinal malformations
- Spinal neoplasia4
MRI of a Doberman with cervical spondylopathy
MRI scan – disc extrusion with severe spinal cord compression at L2-L3
Neuromuscular disorders
- Polyneuropathy e.g. polyradiculoneuritis, endocrine neuropathy
- Junctionopathy e.g. myasthenia gravis
- Myopathy e.g. polymyositis, masticatory myositis
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Neuromuscular investigations |
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EMG – denervation due to a polyneuropathy in a Labrador showing fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves |
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Neuromuscular investigations
- Advanced Nihon Koden electrodiagnostic unit
- electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction, F-wave, repetitive stimulations
- Muscle and nerve biopsy
EMG – denervation due to a polyneuropathy in a Labrador showing fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves
Recent Publications
- Behr, S. and Cauzinille, L. Aseptic suppurative meningitis in juvenile boxer dogs: retrospective study of 12 cases. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 42, 277-282, 2006
- Behr, S. and others. Treatment of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin in a dog. Veterinary Record 164, 627-629, 2009
- Marioni-Henry, K. Feline spinal cord diseases. In: Spinal Diseases. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 40, 1011–1028, 2010
- Marioni-Henry, K. and others. Tumors affecting the spinal cord of cats: 85 cases (1980–2005). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232, 237-243, 2008
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