The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital

About the Neurology and Neurosurgery Service

Click to find out: What in the world is a neurologist?

The Neurology and Neurosurgery Service provides care for patients with a variety of neurological diseases, utilizing state of the art imaging modalities. The service performs magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients a 3 Tesla MRI unit for patients with intracranial (brain) and spinal diseases. This technology allows for the most accurate diagnosis of a variety of neurological conditions. The University of Georgia is one of three university veterinary hospitals in North America to have such a powerful MRI machine available for its clients and patients.

Work that was performed in a mobile MRI unit two years ago is now conducted in a more spacious environment. It has transformed the process of treating patients – the more powerful magnet allows the neurologists to obtain more accurate information, providing better diagnostic service.

The UGA CVM Neurology Faculty: Drs. Marc Kent, Scott Schatzberg and Simon Platt, shown in the new imaging center at UGA.

Additional imaging modalities used routinely include: computed tomography (CT) scanning, x-rays, myelography, and ultrasonography for patients. Other diagnostic tools such as electrophysiology testing also are utilized on an individual patient basis. These tests may include electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, auditory evoked potential, spinal evoked potential, and electroencephalography (EEG).

With three full time neurologists on staff, Drs. Marc Kent, Scott Schatzberg and Simon Platt, the neurology department is commanding the lead among other veterinary colleges. Only North Carolina State University and the University of California-Davis have more than two neurologists on their faculty.

The service treats a variety of diseases both medically and surgically. Medical treatments include seizure (epilepsy) management and treatment of problems of the muscles and nerves. Surgical treatments are performed for various spinal disorders including: intervertebral disc disease, Wobblers syndrome, atlanto-axial subluxation, spinal fractures, and lumbosacral disease.

Patients with brain diseases ranging from brain tumors to some birth disorders also receive care from the Neurology Service. In some cases, brain surgery may improve quality of life and prolong a patient’s life span. The Oncology Service provides radiation therapy and chemotherapy when needed to complement neurological treatment.

Rounding out the medical care team with two residents and an intern, the Neurology Service sees approximately 1,000 patients a year—and roughly 750 of these are new cases.

New patients are seen during regular appointment hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Recheck appointments are available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Emergency service is provided daily. Prior approval through referral is required. Approval is based on consultation through a patient's primary care veterinarian. Veterinarians should contact our referral coordinators at 800.861.7456. Emergency referrals are processed immediately. After-hours emergencies are handled through the after-hours emergency service.

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Funds for Neurology Research and Treatment

Give a gift online to The Small Animal Medicine Fund at the Arch Foundation for the University of Georgia. When you go through the checkout process, be sure to indicate that you wish for the funds to support neurology research in the "special instructions" box.

This page was last updated January 8, 2008.