Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of Minnesota Veterinary Neurology?
MVN is open 7 days a week! We currently schedule neurology appointments Monday through Thursday and physical therapy appointments Monday through Friday. However, we are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for neurologic emergencies. If you think your pet isexperiencing a neurologic emergency, please call our team immediately at (651) 424-1122.
If my pet is having an emergency can I just come in?
We always ask that you call prior to coming in so that our team is ready for your pet and we are certain that your pet’s condition is best handled at our hospital. There are many conditions that can mimic a neurologic emergency. Due to this, we do not accept walk-in emergency cases, because we want to be sure that your pet is getting the care they need and that their clinical signs are truly neurologic in origin.
- For pets that are current patients of MVN, please call and we will discuss if we feel that your pet should come in directly to us or if we feel they should be assessed at a different emergency hospital.
- For pets that are not current patients of MVN, you can ALWAYS call us, but often we will ask that they are assessed either with your referring veterinarian or a full service emergency hospital first to be sure that there clinical signs are neurologic in origin. If their signs are found to be neurologic in origin, then those hospitals can contact us and we are happy to have them transfer your pets care to our hospital.
That being said, if your pet is having what you feel is a neurologic emergency (for example, seizures, paralysis, severe spinal pain) you can ALWAYS call us and we can discuss if it would be best for you to come in directly to us.
Where are you located?
We are located at 15186 W Freeway Drive in Columbus, Minnesota, which is approximately 25 miles directly north of the Twin Cities. Located directly off of I-35 via exit 129, we are easily reached from just about anywhere in Minnesota and the surrounding states.
Do I need a referral from my veterinarian to schedule an appointment?
No, you can schedule an appointment without a referral by requesting a consultation through our website or contacting us at (651) 424-1122.
How do I prepare for my pet’s visit and why do I need to fast my pet?
After you have scheduled your appointment, please fill out the electronic form sent to you via email with as much detail as possible. If this is your first visit with us, please arrive 10 minutes early to go over any necessary paperwork. We ask that you fast your pet in case diagnostics, such as MRI, are recommended and something you choose to go forward with performing. Diagnostics such as MRI require general anesthesia which requires fasting. We will go through all fasting instructions with you when the appointment is scheduled, but some good information to know in regards to fasting includes:
- If your pet regularly receives medications, they should still receive
these at their normally scheduled times - If your pet is diabetic, they should NOT be fasted
- Your pet should still have access to water
- If you have questions about fasting, please call our team
Should my pet get all of their medications the morning of the appointment even if they are fasted?
Yes.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please have a list of any medications your pet is on and any questions you have. If your pet is experiencing seizures or abnormal episodes and you have a video, please also have the video available.
Do you have access to a MRI?
Yes, we have a MRI directly on site!
How much is an appointment for my pet?
An initial consultation is $280. If your pet is seen through the emergency service, the evaluation is $300. After your pet has been evaluated, if diagnostics are recommended, then you will be given an estimate that details any additional costs.
If my pet is hospitalized, is there someone there 24/7?
Our hospital is staffed 24/7 with technicians and technician assistants. There is not an overnight doctor, however, our doctors are always available via phone and are on-call to come in if it is deemed necessary. Our patients are our top priority.
What if I have questions after my appointment or when my pet is discharged from your hospital?
Just ask! Communication with our owners is of the utmost importance to us so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
What types of diagnostics do you perform?
We perform full blood work, X-Rays, MRIs, CSF taps, and BAER testing in hospital.
What types of surgeries do you perform?
We perform all neurosurgical procedures, with the most common being surgeries for disk herniations, tumors, spinal fractures or luxations, and hydrocephalus.
What is the recovery process if my pet has a neurosurgery?
Your pet will need to be rested for 6-8 weeks after surgery. We will go through all at home care for your pet when they are discharged after surgery.
What is a veterinary neurologist?
A veterinary neurologist is a veterinarian who has received extensive training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and nerves. With the patient history and neurologic exam findings, the neurologist can pinpoint which part of the nervous system or systems are being affected, recommend diagnostics to help diagnose the exact cause, and recommend treatment options. Veterinary neurologists also have special training in neurosurgery for disc herniations, luxations of the vertebrae, hydrocephalus, and many other neurologic conditions.
How do I know if my pet is experiencing a neurologic issue?
Common signs that you may see to let you know that your pet is experiencing a neurologic issue include:
- Behavior changes
- Difficulty walking
- Weakness
- Incoordination
- Neck or Back Pain
- Paralysis
- Experiencing Seizures or Tremors
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Head Tilt
- Altered Consciousness
A neurologic exam sounds scary, what does it entail?
A neurologic exam is a non-invasive exam that assesses your pet’s nervous system and helps pinpoint where there may be an issue. The exam includes:
- Assessing the gait
- Assessing all 12 of the cranial nerves
- Assessing the reflexes and proprioception of the limbs
- Checking for any spinal pain
What types of conditions does a veterinary neurologist treat?
- Epilepsy
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Viral Infections (canine distemper, feline infectious peritonitis, Others)
- Fungal Infections (Cryptococcus, Coccidiosis, Others)
- Traumatic Brain or Spinal Cord Injury
- Immune Mediated Diseases Affecting the Nervous System
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Nerve and Muscle Disorders
- Stroke
- And Much More!
How do you keep my regular veterinarian in the loop?
After every visit with us, your pet’s medical records are electronically sent to your regular veterinarian.
What happens during a MRI?
MRI requires general anesthesia, which we take very seriously, so it may be recommended that your pet have blood work and X-rays of their chest before the MRI. We are looking for any evidence of systemic disease or changes in their lungs or heart that may affect anesthesia, because every anesthesia plan is tailored to each individual patient. During the MRI your pet will have a dedicated anesthesia technician monitoring them the entire time. We also make sure our patients are super comfy in the MRI with ear plugs (yes, even though they are asleep), warm and fuzzy paw booties, and lots of squishy padding. After the MRI your pet will be monitored in our ICU until they are ready to go home.