Web-Vet Neurology Specialists - Feed Your Brain Podcast Series!

In this webinar, sponsored by PRN Pharmacal, we will discuss what is known about each frequently used medication to treat seizure disorders in dogs and cats. The three most important aspects of each drug include how to use them, what we know about their efficacy in dogs and cats, and what adverse effects we can expect and should warn owners about.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series Dr. Samantha Taylor at Lumbry Park veterinary specialists discusses treatment of FIP using remdesivir and GS-441524. Samantha shares her experience as a feline medicine specialist on this novel treatment as well as the current research she is undertaking with other colleagues compiling as much robust evidence as possible on the efficacy and possible side effects of this treatment.

In this special episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Fusion Implants, we invite Dr. Colin Driver of Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, UK, to discuss his publication on a new surgical device for canine disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (DA-CSM) or wobblers syndrome. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe and evaluate the use of patient-specific end-plate conforming interbody distraction fusion devices with a porous structure in combination with vertebral stabilization, in dogs with DA-CSM. Outcomes were assessed from long-term follow-up and included CT-based determination of vertebral fusion, implant subsidence, and adjacent segment pathology. The webinar that accompanies this podcast will enable visualisation of the surgical instrumentation used in addition to the cases presented. Visit our YouTube channel at WebVet Neurology Specialists.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr Daniela Farketo to present her latest research published on risk factors, treatment, and outcome in dogs and cats with subdural hematoma and hemispheric collapse after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting of congenital internal hydrocephalus. Overshunting and hemispheric collapse are well-known complications after ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation. Risk factors that predispose to over shunting, treatment options, and prognosis after therapeutic intervention have not been described and this is the focus of this study.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. Sara Silva of the University of Glasgow to discuss her publication on foraminal and far lateral disc extrusion in dogs. Disc herniation may sometimes occur laterally or dorso-laterally, causing compression of the nerve roots and/or spinal nerve and vessels as they exit the foramen or distal to it. These types of herniations have been described, respectively, as intervertebral foraminal or intraforaminal, and lateral, far lateral, or extraforaminal extrusions in the veterinary literature. Dr Silva will discuss her study on the clinical signs, MRI, and long-term outcomes of 37 dogs with this condition.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. Silke Hecht of the University of Tennessee to discuss her publication on MRI and CT of skull fractures in dogs and cats. Computed tomography (CT) is generally considered the modality of choice to evaluate patients with acute head trauma. It is quick, does not require general anesthesia, and is highly accurate in the diagnosis of conditions that may impact clinical management such as fractures, intracranial hemorrhage, brain swelling, and brain herniation. MRI is indicated in patients with acute traumatic brain injury when CT fails to explain the neurologic findings, and it is the preferred imaging modality for the evaluation of subacute and chronic brain trauma.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. David Casado of the Willows Referral Centre, England, to discuss his publication on MRI characteristics of intradural/extramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs. Intradural/extramedullary disc extrusion is the least common type of intervertebral disc herniation in veterinary medicine, characterized by extruded disc material within the intradural space. The aim of this study was to describe the high field (1.5T) MRI characteristics of surgically confirmed intradural/extramedullary disc extrusions

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. Carlotta Remelli from the University of Padua in Italy, to discuss her publication on MRI characteristics of steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis or SRMA. SRMA is an immune-mediated disorder of young dogs for which there is no definitive antemortem diagnostic test. The aims of this study were to retrospectively investigate the characteristics of MRI of the cervical vertebral column of dogs diagnosed with SRMA and to compare the diagnostic capability of MRI obtained with low-field and high-field units.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. Guillaume Dutil from the University of Bern in Switzerland, to discuss his publication on MRI findings, CSF, and management of otitis media and interna with or without polyps in cats. Otitis media and interna have been reported to be the cause of vestibular signs in 43–63% of cats with peripheral vestibular signs and this study focuses on the diagnostic testing and outcome in these patients.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. Abbe Crawford to discuss her findings from her recent study on global hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in dogs and cats. This is a devastating disease condition that can occur in association with cardiac arrest, hypovolemic shock, or severe hypotension as is sometimes seen with anesthetic accidents. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome are discussed in this session.

In this episode of our free Neurology for Vets webinar series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, we invite Dr. Leonardo Bibbiani to discuss his findings from his recent study on the MRI characteristics of disc disease in cats. Although not as common as in dogs, we are learning that disc disease in cats can take several forms and should be considered as a cause of weakness or even paralysis.

In this episode of the free Neurology for Vets Journal Club Series, sponsored by Hallmarq Advanced Veterinary Imaging, Dr. Benedicte Amphimaque discusses her study on the MRI characteristics of oligodendrogliomas, a common brain tumor in dogs. Dr. Amphimaque is a board-certified veterinary diagnostic imager and currently works at Antech Imaging Services.

In this webinar, Drs Citlalli Limpens and Paul Mandigers discuss their study on the effect of MRI screening and selection programs on the prevalence of syringomyelia in Dutch and Danish Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Syringomyelia (SM) is highly heritable indicating that selection to decrease the prevalence of the disorder is possible. A candidate genetic locus associated with syrinx transverse diameter has been identified, but the causal mutations have not been identified yet, and selection based on this locus has not been used for selective breeding strategies. Breeders who want to reduce the number of SM-affected Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) without an MRI cannot rely on the clinical signs. The only current reliable tool for breed selection against SM in CKCS is MRI. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of MRI-based selection in breeding on the prevalence of SM in the screened population of CKCS in Denmark and the Netherlands. Click on this link to read the paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10859423/

In this journal club episode, Dr. Thanis Liatis discusses his study on dogs with non-intentional (episodic) head tremors. These tremors occur mainly at rest, can usually be terminated by distraction, and can have vertical (yes-yes), horizontal (no-no) or rotational directions. This is the sole clinical sign of a movement disorder called idiopathic episodic head tremor in dogs. Several breeds have been reported with this disorder, of which Bulldogs and Dobermans have been associated with a potential breed predisposition. The aim of Dr. Liatis' study was to describe the signalment, semiology, MRI findings and outcomes of dogs with both idiopathic and structural causes of this movement disorder.

In this episode, we interview veterinary neurosurgeon Dr. Cris Falzone, a neurology specialist from Italy, on "How do I manage disc-associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS)?". Disc-associated Wobbler syndrome is the most prevalent and most typical Wobbler syndrome in dogs. It is typically seen in the middle-aged Dobermann Pinscher. Caudal cervical spinal cord compression is caused by protrusion of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal, sometimes in combination with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and malformed vertebrae. There is a lot of controversy concerning the treatment of this disease and objective data about the prognosis of this disease is scarce.

In this webinar, we interview Dr. Clare Rusbridge about Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia. This is a complex developmental condition of the skull and craniocervical vertebrae, and is characterised by a conformational change and overcrowding of the brain and cervical spinal cord, particularly at the craniospinal junction. Obstruction to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) channels can result in pain and a tendency for fluid cavitation of the spinal cord, called syringomyelia (SM). A wonderful paper on this subject published by Dr Rusbridge can be found at the following link: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1136/inp.m1869

In this webinar, we interview Dr. Colin Driver (Dipl. ECVN) from Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists on "How do I treat thoracolumbar myelopathies in Pug dogs". Colin has extensive experience on the subject of both imaging findings and surgical treatment of these complex conditions.

In this episode, Dr Lisa Bartner from Colorado State University discusses what is known on the use of cannabidiol for canine epilepsy. The anticonvulsant effect of cannabidiol (CBD), which has been confirmed by findings from animal models and human trials, has attracted the interest of veterinary practitioners and dog owners. We interviewed Dr. Bartner about the potential use of CBD for dogs that exhibit seizure activity. Check out this recent 2023 paper which Lisa's group has published on the use of CBD for refractory canine epilepsy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10658598/

In this session, we interview Dr. Mark Lowrie on paroxysmal dyskinesia, a movement disorder seen in both dogs and cats. These can be challenging presentations that can easily be confused with seizures but have some notable differences. Genetic advancements have been made in several breeds and there are some treatment options, all of which will be discussed in this webinar.

In this session, Dr. Ines Carrera talks about the MR imaging features of two common acute spinal cord diseases in dogs: Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy or FCEM, and acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion or ANNPE. Can we reliably distinguish between the two conditions on MRI and can MRI provide negative prognostic indicators for recovery?