Just like in humans, dogs and cats get neurological conditions. The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Certain neurological conditions can affect any part of the nervous system, while others only happen in certain parts of the nervous system.
The general types of disorders that can affect the nervous system include:
The brain has many important roles, including controlling movement, vision, hearing, taste, memory, problem solving, emotion, controlling hormone balance and balance. Each of these functions is controlled by a different part of the brain. Your pet’s symptoms will depend on where the problem is within the brain.
Symptoms of a brain problem in dogs and cats may include:
Examples of brain diseases in dogs and cats include:
The spinal cord carries information from the brain to the rest of the body (limbs, tail, internal organs) and carries information to the brain (hot and cold, pain, knowing where the limbs are, etc). One of the most important functions of the spinal cord is transmitting information for walking.
When there are problems in the spinal cord of the neck, symptoms may include:
When there are problems in the spinal cord of the back, symptoms may include:
Examples of spinal cord diseases in dogs and cats include:
The nerves carry information from the spinal cord to the muscles. When there is a problem affecting the nerves and/or muscles, symptoms may include:
Examples of neurological conditions affecting the nerves or muscles include:
Many of these conditions are completely curable. Many of them can be treated with an excellent outcome, some can only be helped for a time, and some are not fixable at all. If your pet is showing any of the symptoms listed above, please call us in Miami, Boynton Beach, Jupiter or Virginia Beach, VA to request a consultation to meet with one of our caring veterinary neurologists.