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Hydrocephalus in Dogs: The Importance of Early Diagnosis
What is hydrocephalus in dogs? Well, in Greek, “hydrocephalus” basically translates to “water on the brain.” Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition caused by too much fluid in the brain. As the brain swells with the excess fluid, it becomes compressed within the confines of the skull. Brain compression causes neurological symptoms and can lead to…
Myasthenia Gravis in Dogs: What It Is and How SEVN Can Help
Myasthenia gravis in dogs is one of the most commonly recognized neuromuscular diseases in veterinary medicine. In simple terms, the disease interrupts the way nerves communicate with muscles, resulting in extreme muscle weakness and fatigue. Normally, nerves relay messages from the brain using a chemical called acetylcholine that is received by a receptor on the…
Nonsurgical IVDD Treatment in Dogs: Is Your Dog a Candidate?
Decisions about IVDD treatment in dogs are made based on the severity and the duration of clinical signs. In some cases, IVDD can be managed nonsurgically. However, without timely and appropriate treatment, IVDD can cause irreversible damage. If your dog is showing signs of spinal pain or limited mobility, it is important to consult a veterinary…
ANNPE: What It Is and How to Care for Your Dog
ANNPE stands for acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (say that five times fast!) and is a form of intervertebral disc disease in dogs. ANNPE is a neurological emergency that suddenly affects the spinal cord and your dog’s ability to walk. Before we dive all the way into ANNPE, let’s talk a little bit about the spinal…
Dog Epilepsy Treatment and How to Manage It
Has your dog been diagnosed with epilepsy? Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in dogs. Although an underlying cause is not always found, rest assured that there is an appropriate dog epilepsy treatment to manage your dog’s frequent seizures. What Is Epilepsy in Dogs? First of all, what are seizures? Seizures are unusually strong…
10 Common Signs of Vestibular Disease in Old Dogs
Senior dogs can have vestibular dysfunction for all the same reasons younger dogs do. However, vestibular disease in old dogs is often due to canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome, which is why it is commonly known as old dog vestibular disease. What Is Vestibular Disease in Old Dogs? The vestibular system is responsible for balance, coordination,…
What Is a Brachycephalic Dog?
Brachy means “short.” Cephalic means “head.” A brachycephalic dog has a shortened skull, giving its nose a smushed-in appearance and often creating an exaggeratedly wide, flat face. Unfortunately, these adorable faces come at a cost – and not just the price tag from the breeder. The same irresistible features that attract us to brachycephalic dogs…
Masticatory Muscle Myositis, Trigeminal Neuritis, and Trigeminal Nerve Sheath Tumors in Dogs: How to Tell Them Apart
Masticatory muscle myositis, trigeminal neuritis, and trigeminal nerve sheath tumors are three different neurological diseases affecting the muscles and nerves of the head in dogs. “While these conditions are not exactly rare, they occur just infrequently enough to be confused – even by veterinarians,” points out Dr. Michael Wong, Founder and Veterinary Neurologist at Southeast…
Dog Herniated Disc: Signs and What to Do
A herniated disc is actually the number one spinal cord problem seen in dogs. The good news is that the chances of your dog making a full recovery can be as high as 95%. However, without timely treatment, it is possible for a herniated disc to cause permanent spinal cord damage. Therefore, it’s a good…
Degenerative Myelopathy: Symptoms, Cause, and Treatment
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a slowly progressive neurological disease of the spine in dogs. Degeneration means deterioration. Myelopathy is any problem with the spinal cord. So, degenerative myelopathy means deterioration of the spinal cord. The spinal cord carries information from the brain, down the neck, along the back, to the limbs and tail, and then…