The OVC Neurology Service consists of three Board Certified Neurologists. They offer a wide variety of treatment services including: hearing tests, spinal decompressive surgery for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), diagnosis and medical management of epilepsy, management of spinal pain, diagnosis of muscle and nerve disorders, and diagnosis and management of congenital and degenerative nervous system diseases. To learn more about the OVC Neurology Service, please click here.
ON HOLD – Investigating Canine Behaviour using Wearable Biomonitors
Complete Title: Pilot study of wearable biomonitors to explore the behavioural and environmental context of canine seizures
Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common neurological disorder diagnosed in dogs. IE has a significant negative impact on affected dogs and their owners’ quality of life. Through the use of wearable technologies for both pets and owners, we can increase our understanding of epileptic canine behaviour and gain insight to better predict future seizure occurrence.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs (Golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Standard Poodles, and mixes of these breeds) between the ages of 2-7 years old
- Two groups:
- Dogs with Tier I idiopathic epilepsy diagnosis with no other health concerns/underlying conditions
- Neurotypical with no other health concerns/underlying conditions
Are These Seizures in Dogs?
Complete Title: Are These Seizures in Canines?
It’s important to understand if a dog’s ‘episodes’ are a seizure, as treatment may be required. Using video recording and electroencephalography (EEG), we can
confirm if seizure activity is happening and classify the type of seizure.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs that are between 6 months and 6 years of age that experience episodes similar to seizures
Do Anti-Seizure Drugs Work in Dogs?
Complete Title: Do Anti-Seizure Drugs Work in Canines?
Even with anti-seizure drug (ASD) treatment, a proportion of dogs may continue to have seizures or experience intolerable side effects from their medication. Accurate seizure control impacts the quality of life and survival in epileptic dogs and also their caretaker’s quality of life.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs between 6 months and 6 years of age with normal neurologic exam and at least one year since index seizure (known as Tier I idiopathic epilepsy)
- Any dog with Tier II idiopathic epilepsy regardless of age, neurologic exam status, or time since first onset of seizures (must have normal MRI and CSF & bloodwork)
- Dog’s veterinarian is planning to add a new ASD regardless of previous ASD status
Evaluating the Structural Brain Differences of Dogs Diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy
Complete Title: Craniocerebral Topographical Mapping in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy
By evaluating diffusion tensor imaging in both neurotypical and dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE), we can better understand abnormal brain structures associated with IE and potentially improve diagnostic and treatment options.
Inclusion criteria:
- Neurotypical dogs with no obvious structural brain abnormalities or neurological disorders undergoing MRI and have an average muzzle length
- Dogs diagnosed with generalized IE that have no other medical conditions, undergoing MRI and have an average muzzle length
MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Investigating the Placement of EEG Electrodes in Dogs with Epilepsy Using 3D Reconstruction
Complete Title: Craniocerebral Topographical Mapping for Improved Canine Electroencephalographic (EEG) Lesion Localization
To improve the diagnosis and characterization of canine epilepsy, we need to better understand how our scalp electrodes map to the underlying brain surface and establish a best practice for electrode placement.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a planned EEG recording:
- Neurotypical dogs with no obvious structural brain abnormalities or neurological disorders undergoing MRI/CT and have an average muzzle length
- Dogs diagnosed with generalized IE that have no other medical conditions, undergoing MRI/CT and have an average muzzle length
MORE INFO COMING SOON!
NEW STUDY – Evaluating the Use of Magnesium to Control Pain and Inflammation Following Spinal Surgery in Dogs
Complete Title: Investigation of the role of systemic intravenous intraoperative magnesium sulphate as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug in dogs undergoing spinal decompression surgery for acute thoracolumbar disc herniation
Not only is magnesium an important ion in the body but it also has anti-inflammatory properties, is inexpensive, very easy to administer, it is not a controlled drug or addictive, and side effects are extremely rare. By evaluating the use of magnesium in combination with standard of care opioids, we can evaluate its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of acute intervertebral disc herniation and interested in pursuing surgery
MORE INFO COMING SOON!