In our field of expertise, we do all that is possible to help household pets recover from severe health complications. Veterinary Neurology focuses on managing and correcting, whenever possible, complications with your pet’s central and peripheral nervous systems.
Many conditions are requiring the intervention of specialized veterinarian care. Consider our profession as a means to help if your pet has any problems with their brain, spine, and nerves.
We have created other articles previously dealing with other frequent neurological complications faced by many household animals, and we will continue expanding on that series. We published an article on encephalitis and another one on how rabies affects your pet’s nervous system.
We hope the information in these articles continues to help responsible pet owners to care for their pets, avoid life-threatening risks, and educate them on what is necessary to provide their pets with a fantastic quality of life.
The Veterinary Neurology Outlook on Tumors
Unfortunately, any breed of dog and cats can be affected by brain tumors. However, some larger breeds like Boxers and Golden Retrievers are at an increased risk of developing brain tumors. There are various types of cancer, but we will focus on those affecting household pet’s central nervous systems. Strictly speaking, brain tumors are a mass in your pet’s brain.
Brain tumors may either originate in your pet’s brain, making them a primary brain tumor; secondary tumors arise in other parts of your pet’s body and then spread to their brain.
Some medical classifications of brain tumors include meningioma, glioma, adenocarcinoma, and more. Your pet’s veterinary will make sure to explain in detail what you need to know to understand the complications faced by your pet if the need arises.
The most common type of brain tumor is meningiomas. Although you should know there are malignant forms in particular cases, these are generally slow-growing and amenable to treatment.
These tumors appear on the lining around your pet’s brain and then spread to the brain itself. Like other types of tumors, a veterinary neurology specialist requires advanced imaging, such as MRI Scans, to accurately diagnose the problem.
Your pet’s veterinarian will also check for signs of cancer cells in other parts of their body. Secondary brain tumors signify the spread of another cancer somewhere in your pet’s body. Because the cancer is spreading, the discovery of a secondary brain tumor carries a very poor prognosis.
When Should You Suspect There Is a Brain Tumor?
In veterinary neurology, we focus on managing your pet’s symptoms and trying to remove any malignant masses from their body. Brain tumors compress your pet’s brain, resulting in behavioral changes. Keep in mind that the clinical signs of a brain tumor are related to the affected brain area.
Symptoms are not specific to a single type of tumor; therefore, if you determine your pet suffers from any of the following symptoms, you should take them to a veterinary neurologist as soon as possible to get the appropriate treatment.
Signs may start suddenly, vary in severity, and cause progressive damage in older animals. Be on the lookout for:
- Unusual changes in appetite and thirst
- Constant pacing or circling
- Loss of learned behavior and depression
- Feeling pain without apparent physical wounds.
- Decreased spatial awareness
- Seizures
- Loss of balance
- Generalize or localized weakness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Head tilt
- Vomiting
- Abnormal eye position or flicking
- Tremors
Please consult with your pet’s veterinarian if you suspect a brain tumor. These symptoms might appear each on their own or as a group. If your dog or cat is older than six and has an onset of seizures, a brain tumor is a real possibility.
Keep in mind, too, that other dog breeds such as cocker spaniels and Doberman pinschers are at a reduced risk of developing brain tumors but could still suffer from other neurological complications.
Consult with a specialized veterinary for care. Some tumors can be rapidly fatal, which is why you must look for professional help. Further progression of these symptoms could lead to paralysis, coma, and death.
A Bit of Positive News From Your Veterinary Neurology Specialist
Diagnosis of a brain tumor can be overwhelming to any pet owner. However, we would like to focus on the following: such a diagnosis does not immediately mean that your pet’s situation is hopeless.
Dr. Corgi, our resident veterinary neurologist, will use all the available resources at our veterinary hospital to offer as much help as we can. You can find MRIs and CT Scans available with us at Brightcare, and we will always consult with you before engaging in any type of treatment or diagnostics.
Each patient’s case is different, and the most important thing is to act as soon as you detect something that might be wrong with your pet’s health. Our team will do everything we can to help out during these difficult times.
Getting the Help You Need
Get in touch with your trusted veterinarian and consult with a veterinary neurology specialist for specialized treatment.
Neurological conditions are hard to diagnose and manage, but you may help your pet recover from their health conditions given sufficient time and commitment. If you suspect your pet to suffer from any of the symptoms we mentioned before, do not hesitate to get in touch with a specialist. You can find our contact information here or set an appointment online.
