For emergency cases, please call our team on 01823 653510.
Our neurology and neurosurgery services are available to help with diagnosis, treatment and management of all conditions of the brain, inner ear, spinal cord, vertebrae, and neuromuscular system (nerves, muscles, and the nerve muscle junction).
Neurology & Neurosurgery at Cave Vets
Neurology and neurosurgery looks at disorders of the nervous system that can be urgent and require rapid care. Our team of specialists are able to investigate, diagnose and treat medical and surgical conditions that involve the nervous system (central and peripheral) and can quickly work to achieve the best outcome for the patient.
Neurological signs, including weakness, tremors, loss of coordination, and changes in behaviour. Common signs may also include seizures, difficulty walking or loss of bladder and bowel control. If you notice any abnormal behaviours or symptoms, it could indicate an underlying neurological issue
Conditions We Can Treat
At Cave Vets, we are able to help patients that need care and treatment for a wide range of neurological conditions including:
- Brain tumours
- Idiopathic Epilepsy
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Spinal Fractures
- Head Trauma
- Neuropathies and Myopathies and more.
Our team of veterinary specialists are able to help patients with an extensive range of neurological conditions. If you are looking to refer your patient but cannot see the condition listed, please contact our team today and we will be happy to help.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Our clinicians can provide a comprehensive investigation of these neurology and neurosurgery conditions using our state-of-the-art onsite facilities. With our advanced technology, we are able to offer patients:
- MRI & CT Scans
- Ultrasound & Radiography
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis (CSF)
- Electrophysiologic Evaluation of the Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerve and Muscle Function
- Hearing Evaluation
Our neurology and neurosurgery specialists work closely with colleague from Diagnostic Imaging and Anaesthesia to provide complete multidisciplinary care. We aim to provide care that is professional and compassionate, ensuring that owners are fully included in all decisions regarding diagnosis and management of their pet’s condition.
Appointments and Referrals
Appointment Guidelines
For neurology and neurosurgery, we only accept cases from referring vets. This ensures that our patients are referred to the most appropriate service and enables us to provide ongoing care for the patient following discharge to their primary care vet.
Our routine appointments are available Monday to Friday. Please use our online referral form to book these appointments. Our team will accept emergency cases at all other times dependent upon the medical condition of the patient and daily appointments.
Emergency Service
We endeavour to see emergency cases as quickly as possible. We ask that referring veterinarians call us to arrange an emergency appointment.
Please call us on 01823 653510
For out of hours, please call us on 01823 653519
Advice
We are happy to offer telephone advice to veterinarians regarding cases and discuss options for referral. Please call us on 01823 653510 or email us on [email protected]. Our team will get in touch with you as quickly as possible.
Meet the Neurology & Neurosurgery Team
At Cave Vets we are lucky to have one of the largest and most experienced team of neurology & neurosurgery specialists working in the South West.
Working alongside specialists from the other disciplines – including Diagnostic Imaging, Surgery and Anaesthesia, and supported by a dedicated team of nurses, we are able to quickly see, diagnose and start treating referred patients.
Meet the Neurology & Neurosurgery Team
Neurology FAQs
What should I bring to the appointment?
Please bring along any medication and details of supplements you have been giving your pet. If your pet is having abnormal episodes/fits then it is helpful to bring a video if you have one. If you have a diary of events it would be helpful to bring that to the appointment too.
What will happen during my appointment?
- Once you have arrived and completed the paperwork given to you by the reception team your neurologist will take you through to a consultation room where they will take a thorough history and examine your pet performing a general physical examination and neurological examination. The findings of the examination will be discussed with you and options for further investigation to make a precise diagnosis and potential treatment will be described.
- If your pet is referred as an emergency it is possible that on arrival you will be met by one of the experienced nursing team who will take your pet directly to our triage room where they can be assessed and given any urgent care whilst you fill in the paperwork with our reception team. We do this in order to ensure that your pet is given the optimal treatment as quickly as possible. As soon as possible one of the neurologists will be through to take a complete history and discuss their findings as well as make plans for further investigation and treatment.
What diagnostic tests will be performed?
Patients presenting with problems affecting the neurological system will have a range of diagnostic tests performed which can include the following:
- Blood tests
- Urine samples
- Radiographs (X-rays)
- Ultrasound
- MRI scans: MRI gives excellent detail of the brain, spinal cord and associated nerves. All patients having an MRI scan will need a general anaesthetic.
- CT scan: CT scans can produce detailed images of many structures inside the body including internal organs, blood vessels and bones. Sometimes a CT scan is performed on its own and other times we combine it with an MRI scan. CT scan is needed to produce 3D printing models and implants.
- CSF analysis: this is a sample of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. A sample is always taken under general anaesthesia and will either be taken from a space at the back of the skull or low back ‘lumbar puncture’.
- Electrodiagnostic studies: these tests are used to look at muscle, nerve and brain activity in certain cases. Rarely some of these tests can be performed conscious but the majority of patients will need a sedation or general anaesthetic.
When will diagnostic tests be performed?
We will endeavour to perform diagnostics on the same day as the consult however depending on the time of the day, other cases in the hospital and the unique combination of tests required for your pet, they may need to stay overnight.
What our clients say...
"What a top man, Tom and his staff saved our beloved Staffie cross Stevie when he ruptured a disc in his spine, Mel and I are so grateful. It's 5 months now from his operation and he is nearly back to full strength and fitness."
"A HUGE thank you from us for the care you gave to Merlin...& for the kind support you gave to us. This Christmas will be celebrated as last year Merlin was unable to. Merlin collapsed screaming in pain & paralysed on Dec 22nd. Taken straight to our vet's & kept in till Christmas Eve. Emily our vet contacted The Cave as Merlin was fitting also. We were inconsolable thinking it was a brain tumour. Merlin was allowed home with complete crate rest on Christmas Eve. We spent from then until Jan 4th sleeping in the living room not leaving his side. Jan 4th was the day we drove up to meet you. We were running on adrenalin & everyone at The Cave went out of their way to make the visit as supportive as they could. We left Merlin with you for an MRI scan etc. Dr Tom, you kept in contact with us which did wonders for our nerves. We were expecting dire news. But the God's were on our side! This is how GOOD you are Tom. You gave a spot on diagnosis even before Merlin's MRI... The elation, even though he was a poorly boy was overwhelming! But our constant care avoided spinal surgery. We will never be able to thank you enough. Merlin is such a happy boy. He is watched like a hawk & both he & Kerensa are probably spoilt rotten. Dealing with how he was, of course he is. Again thank you ALL for everything..."
"Our Boy Rocco had to have an emergency spinal operation, It was the first time we ever left him overnight so we was nervous and emotional and away from home ourselves. Cave kept us updated as much as they could and they gave our Boy a whole new lease of life. He absolutely loved the staff too! Thank you so much guys."
Our veterinary facilities
We offer some of the most advanced veterinary facilities here at Cave Vets, including:
Location & Directions
The Cave Veterinary Specialists practice is located in West Buckland, Somerset.
We are located just off junction 26 of the M5 motorway, and we have prepared a set of simple directions to help you find out practice as easily as possible.