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Neurology & Neurosurgery

If your pet is showing signs of a neurological problem, it’s important to know that the board-certified neurologists at Long Island Veterinary Specialists are some of the nation’s most respected experts in this field.

In fact, they’re often consulted by other specialists and referral hospitals to help diagnose and treat complex neurological conditions. They’re also involved in pioneering research and treatment protocols with ongoing studies and clinical trials—giving you and your pet access to truly leading-edge neurological expertise, right here at LIVS. Call us at (516) 501-1700.

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LIVS neurology team is pioneering new treatments

The neurological conditions our veterinary neurologists see

Veterinary neurologists diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, including:

  • Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia
  • Degenerative spinal diseases
  • Encephalitis
  • Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
  • Hearing and vision loss
  • Intervertebral disc herniation
  • Intracranial and spinal malformations
  • Movement disorders 
  • Narcolepsy/cataplexy
  • Neoplasia
  • Neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis 
  • Stroke and other vascular conditions
  • Traumatic spinal and head injury
  • Wobbler’s disease

The diagnostic resources our veterinary neurologists offer

LIVS has invested in a comprehensive array of today’s most advanced technology for accurately diagnosing neurological disorders. This includes:

  • Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), a specialized hearing test
  • CT scan
  • Electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them
  • Spinal Puncture (also called a spinal tap), a medical procedure in which a needle in inserted into the spinal canal to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic testing
  • MRI (LIVS is one of only 2 private practices in the nation with a powerful 3.0 Tesla scanner, which produces the highest-quality images possible)
  • Muscle and nerve biopsies
  • Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) testing measures the speed of conduction of an electrical impulse through a nerve to determine nerve damage
  • Radiography (x-rays)
  • Stereotactic brain biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure to obtain samples of brain tissue for diagnostic purposes with the help of MRI, CT and 3D computer workstations

Canine Chiari Institute

In addition, as home to the Canine Chiari Institute, LIVS offers comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for dogs with suspected Chiari-like malformation, a complex condition in which there’s a mismatch in skull and brain size, which alters the flow of cerebrospinal fluid between the skull and spine. This results in a collection of fluid pockets in the spinal cord. LIVS neurosurgeons pioneered a procedure called the foramen magnum decompression with cranioplasty for dogs with this condition.

Neurological conditions may be treated medically or surgically, depending on the specific condition affecting your pet. Know that we will tailor a treatment plan to your pet’s unique health needs, and our aim is to perform the least invasive intervention possible to optimize your pet’s well-being.

Neurology/Neurosurgery Team

Medical Neurology Staff

Neil Mittelman, DVM

Dip. ACVIM (LAIM; Neurology)
(Neurology/Neurosurgery)
Neurology, Neurosurgery

patrick roynard

Patrick Roynard, DVM, MRCVS

Dip. ACVIM
(Neurology/Neurosurgery)
Neurology, Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery Staff

Kevin Barber DVM

Kevin Barber, DVM

Dip. ACVS-SA
Soft Tissue, Oncologic,
Orthopedic, Neurosurgery

catherine a loughin

Catherine A. Loughin, DVM

Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACCT
Soft Tissue, Oncologic,
Orthopedic, Neurosurgery

domini j marino

Dominic J. Marino, DVM

Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACCT, CCRP
Soft Tissue, Oncologic,
Orthopedic, Neurosurgery,
Physical Rehabilitation

Neil Mittelman, DVM

Dip. ACVIM (LAIM)
(Neurology/Neurosurgery)
Neurology, Neurosurgery

patrick roynard

Patrick Roynard, DVM, MRCVS

Dip. ACVIM
(Neurology/Neurosurgery)
Neurology, Neurosurgery

robert waddell

Robert Waddell, DVM

Dip. ACVS-SA
Soft Tissue, Oncologic,
Orthopedic, Neurosurgery