If your pet is showing signs like seizures, wobbliness, neck or back pain, or even sudden paralysis, your vet may suspect a neurological problem. But in neurology, symptoms alone rarely tell the full story. That's because many different neurological conditions can present in similar ways. Determining where the problem is in the nervous system is only the first step. Figuring out what is causing the issue is just as important.
Let’s take a closer look at how pet MRI helps us provide the best possible care for dogs and cats with neurological disease.
The nervous system is incredibly complex, and very different conditions can produce nearly identical symptoms. For example, pets with brain tumors, strokes, or inflammation of the brain might all have seizures. A dog with a herniated disc may present similarly to one with spinal cancer or meningitis. The examples go on. That’s why finding the exact cause of the patient’s symptoms is critical for choosing the right treatment and giving your pet the best chance of recovery.
Many pet parents are familiar with X-rays and CT scans. And while these tools definitely have their place in veterinary medicine, they aren’t ideal for evaluating the nervous system. Let’s compare imaging tools.
Radiographs, or X-rays, are fast, and typically do not require anesthesia or even sedation. They’re very useful for assessing bones, lungs, and screening the abdomen for abnormalities of the major organs.
However, when it comes to the brain and spinal cord, X-rays are extremely limited. That’s because all soft tissues - like muscles, nerves, the spinal cord, and internal organs like the brain - appear in similar shades of gray on an X-ray. This lack of contrast makes it nearly impossible to distinguish one soft tissue structure from another.
On top of that, X-rays are two-dimensional. That means overlapping structures can obscure important findings. A herniated disc, tumor, or area of inflammation could easily be missed.
Computed tomography, or CT, uses X-rays and computer technology to create cross-sectional images of the body. CT offers better detail than traditional X-rays and is particularly helpful in evaluating bone, such as in cases of trauma or skull fractures. It also eliminates the issue of structure overlap.
However, CT still falls short when it comes to soft tissue contrast. Like X-rays, CT struggles to differentiate between tissues that are similar in density, such as the spinal cord, brain tissue, and surrounding fluid. That makes it easy to miss small but critical changes, especially in early or subtle cases of neurological disease.
In some instances, CT scans can even be misleading, and benign changes may be misinterpreted as aggressive disease. This can lead to unnecessary treatment or worse - euthanasia. That’s why MRI is the preferred choice for an accurate diagnosis.
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a completely noninvasive way to look inside the body, especially at the brain and spinal cord. It uses a strong magnetic field and specialized radio waves to create incredibly detailed images of soft tissues.
With Pet MRI, we can accurately identify or rule out neurological conditions such as:
Pet MRI is not only more accurate, it is also safer for our dogs and cats. There is no radiation involved, and the procedure itself is pain-free. The only requirement is that pets remain perfectly still during the scan, which means general anesthesia is needed.
To summarize, here are the key advantages of pet MRI when it comes to diagnosing neurological conditions in dogs and cats:
And perhaps most importantly, pet MRI gives us definitive answers to time-sensitive questions. In cases where time is of the essence, such as progressive paralysis or sudden-onset seizures, getting a fast, accurate diagnosis can be the difference between recovery and irreversible damage.
At Southeast Veterinary Neurology, we use a high-field 1.5 Tesla MRI. Compared to low-field MRI systems, our scanners produce sharper, more reliable images in less time. That means less time under anesthesia and quicker results, both of which are important when your pet is facing a serious neurological issue.
We also have a team of board-certified veterinary neurologists who are specifically trained to interpret pet MRI images of the nervous system in dogs and cats. This level of expertise ensures we’re not just collecting data, but we’re making accurate, informed diagnoses based on high-quality images.
If your veterinarian has recommended a pet MRI or a referral to a veterinary neurologist, it means your pet needs a more in-depth evaluation than routine tests can provide. And acting quickly is key. Many neurological conditions are time-sensitive. Delays in diagnosis can allow disease to progress, reducing the chance of a successful outcome.
At Southeast Veterinary Neurology, we understand how stressful it can be when your pet is struggling and you don’t have answers. That’s why our team is committed to guiding you through every step of the process with knowledge, clarity, and compassion.
From the moment you call us, you’ll be supported by a dedicated patient care coordinator who understands the urgency and complexity of neurological disease. Our entire team of client service representatives, nurses, and neurologists will work together to ensure your pet receives expert care in a calm, empathetic environment.
Neurology isn’t just part of what we do. It’s everything we do. And that singular focus allows us to deliver exceptional care with the latest diagnostic tools at the heart of every case.
If you think your dog or cat may need a pet MRI or you have questions about the process, please don’t hesitate. Contact Southeast Veterinary Neurology today in Miami, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, or Virginia Beach. The sooner we find answers, the sooner we can help your pet get back to feeling like itself again.