Neurology/Neurosurgery

It can be frightening and overwhelming to have a pet with sudden or chronic neurological problems. Many neurological conditions in dogs and cats are often urgent and require rapid diagnosis, assessment, and treatment to optimize the pet’s prognosis. Veterinary neurologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nervous system. VSC’s neurology team helps you and your pet by offering the best diagnostic and treatment options to improve your pet’s outcome and quality of life.

Some of the common neurological problems that we see include:

  • Seizures and epilepsy
  • Strokes
  • Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (autoimmune)
  • Infection of the brain and spine
  • Weakness/Paralysis
  • Incontinence
  • Intervertebral disc herniations
  • Balance disorders
  • Tumors of the brain and spine
  • Trauma
  • Congenital anomalies
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Subarachnoid diverticulum
  • Vision problems
  • Myasthenia gravis and other neuromuscular disorders
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Canine cognitive dysfunction

Diagnostics

64 Slice CT Scan - Veterinary Specialty Center
Diagnostic tests are critical to hone in on your pet’s diagnosis and to check for co-morbidities that may change your pet’s treatment plan. Our board-certified neurologist/neurosurgeon Sarvie Bagheri works with our radiologists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and rehabilitation team to determine the best diagnostic and treatment options for your pet.

We offer the following diagnostics:

  • Complete blood count, serum chemistry, and urine analysis
  • Advanced laboratory testing
  • Advanced digital x-rays
  • Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
  • 3 Tesla MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
  • 64 Slice CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
  • Neuromuscular evaluation with electromyography (EMG)
  • Auditory evaluation with brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER)
  • Nerve and muscle biopsy

Surgical Procedures

We offer a wide range of surgical procedures:

  • Brain/spinal tumor resection
  • Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) surgery
  • Skull fracture repairs
  • Spinal fracture repairs
  • Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hydrocephalus
  • Durectomy for subarachnoid diverticulum
  • A-A luxation stabilization

What to Expect - Download

Starting Monday, April 8th through the end of September, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will begin their road resurfacing project along Waukegan Road from Lake Cook Road to Half Day Road (IL 22). Please allow additional travel time to our hospital during the construction. Learn More: Waukegan Road Resurfacing Project