The Neurology Department at Long Island Veterinary Specialists is staffed by a team of board-certified specialists (Neurology and Surgery), a neurology intern, general interns and technicians. In addition to the expertise in both medical and neurological conditions of dogs and cats provided by our staff, we offer the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment available for elucidating and treating neurologic disorders. Our imaging equipment is state-of-the-art, with a 3.0 Tesla MRI magnet and a helical CT scanner. Our neurosurgical equipment is also top-notch, and includes a new stereotactic brain biopsy system.
Medical Neurologic Disorders
• Epilepsy
• Movement disorders
• Meningitis
• Neuropathies
• Myopathies
• Neuromuscular junction disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis)
• Disk disease*
• Brain tumors*
• Spinal tumors*
• Tremor syndromes
• Neurotoxicities
*In some cases, these disorders can or should (like a brain tumor that is too deep to safely be removed) be handled medically rather than surgically.
Surgical Neurologic Disorders
• Disk disease
• Spinal fractures/luxations
• Hydrocephalus
• Chiari malformation
• Intracranial arachnoid cyst
• Brain tumors
• Spinal tumors
• “Wobbler” syndrome
• Lumbosacral stenosis
Family members and family veterinarians are contacted after medical (e.g., MRI with or without a spinal tap) or surgical procedures once a patient is fully recovered from anesthesia. This is typically in the afternoon or early evening. For hospitalized patients, daily updates are provided to owners between 10 am until 12 noon until the time of discharge. In patients with constantly changing medical status (such as those in critical condition), updates are accordingly provided more frequently. Family members are asked not to call after hours for additional updates from the emergency department staff members. Visitation is generally discouraged during brief hospitalization periods (less than five days) because pets often become distressed following the departure of their family members at the end of such visits. Our patients generally acclimate to their new surroundings (including fold-down beds with fleece blankets and exercise pads) and are kept comfortable by our 24-hour support staff. In certain circumstances (such as longer hospitalization periods) visitations can be arranged by appointments made by our staff members. When a patient is sent home, the family veterinarian is sent a typed summary of the medical record, including surgical and biopsy information.
Hospital discharges are scheduled with discharge technicians by appointment, in order to provide uninterrupted time for family members to ask questions, discuss medications and become familiar and comfortable with after-care instructions. When appropriate (mainly dependent on the state of the surgical incision), patients will be bathed or cleaned prior to release from the hospital.
