Overview The vestibular system is an important part of an animal’s nervous system that helps with balance and coordination. It lets your pet know where their body is in space and helps control steady posture and smooth movements of the eyes, head, and body. The vestibular system has two main parts: Vestibular disease happens when … Read moreVestibular Disease
other name: middle & inner ear disease Overview Otitis media and interna (OMI) refer to infections that affect the middle and inner ear. In some cases, this infection leads to the formation of abscess (localized pocket of pus) and inflammation that can damage nearby structures. When this abscess involves the inner ear, they can severely … Read moreOtitis Media & Interna
other names: Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin (MUO), Immune-Mediated Meningoencephalitis, Non-Infectious Meningoencephalitis, Inflammatory Brain Disease Overview Meningoencephalomyelitis of Unknown Etiology (MUE) is a group of diseases where the body’s immune system mistakenly causes inflammation in the brain, spinal cord, and the protective layers around them. It usually affects dogs but can also happen in cats. Because … Read moreMeningoencephalitis of Unknown Etiology
other names: genetic-based epilepsy, primary epilepsy Overview A seizure happens when abnormal, excessive brain activity causes the brain’s “wiring” to misfire for a short period of time. Idiopathic epilepsy is a brain disorder where recurring seizures occur without an identifiable underlying cause, such as a tumor, infection, or toxin. This condition is most often diagnosed … Read moreIdiopathic Epilepsy
Overview Hydrocephalus is a condition where extra fluid, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), builds up inside the skull. Normally, CSF surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord, but when too much fluid collects, it can cause the spaces inside the brain to enlarge. Because the brain sits inside a fixed, enclosed space, this buildup can create … Read moreHydrocephalus
other names: stroke, vascular event, infarct, transient ischemic attack Overview Cerebrovascular accidents, often referred to as strokes, occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly disrupted. These events can cause a sudden onset of neurological symptoms and require prompt recognition and supportive care to optimize outcomes. Strokes are broadly categorized into … Read moreCerebrovascular Accident
other names: caudal occipital malformation syndrome, COMS Overview Chiari-like Malformation (CM) is a condition resulting in a mismatch between the size of the back part of the skull and the amount of brain tissue it contains. In a very general sense, the size of the skull is too small for the brain, which results in … Read moreChiari-Like Malformation and Syringohydromyelia
Overview Brain tumors are generally divided into two main categories: those that start in the brain itself, called primary brain tumors, and those that develop outside the brain but press against it, called brain-associated tumors. Primary brain tumors arise from the brain’s own tissues and include types like meningiomas, which are often slow-growing and treatable, … Read moreBrain Tumors
other name: doggie dementia Overview Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a progressive, age-related neurodegenerative condition in dogs, similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. These age-related changes to the brain cause neuron loss which can impair cognitive function. This ultimately leads to changes in awareness, deficits in learning and memory, and decreased responsiveness to stimuli. Causes Canine cognitive … Read moreCanine Cognitive Dysfunction
other name: Bell’s Palsy Overview There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves, each with its own distinct function. The seventh cranial nerve, known as the facial nerve, is responsible for controlling the muscles involved in facial expression. It sends signals to the muscles that move the ears, lips, eyelids, and nostrils. Facial paralysis occurs when … Read moreFacial Nerve Paralysis
