Dr. Fitz and Dr. Johnson care for pets with all types of neurological conditions. Below is a list of some of the more common problems they help treat in dogs and cats.
Brain Disease
Brain conditions in pets can look very different from case to case. Some of the most common symptoms include seizures, head tilt, behavior changes, stumbling, incoordination, vision problems, walking in circles, or tremors. Here are some of the more common brain and cranial nerve conditions that can cause these symptoms in dogs and cats.
Spinal Disease
Spinal cord conditions often develop when there’s damage or pressure on the spinal cord, and the symptoms can vary depending on the area affected. When the spinal cord in the neck is involved, pets may show signs like crying out in pain, holding their head low, muscle spasms, wobbliness in all four legs, scuffing all their paws, or even being unable to walk in all of their limbs. If the problem is in the back, symptoms may include unsteady back legs, dragging or scuffing the back paws, back pain, a hunched posture, or difficulty controlling urination or bowel movements. Here are some of the more common spinal cord conditions that can lead to these symptoms.
Lower Motor Neuron Disease
Lower motor neuron disease refers to any condition that affects the nerves coming out of the spinal cord, the connection between the nerves and muscles, or the muscles themselves. Common signs include generalized weakness, reduced exercise tolerance, trouble standing or supporting weight, difficulty swallowing, or regurgitation. While there are several possible causes, Myasthenia Gravis is by far the most common lower motor neuron disease seen in our pets.