Why does a pet behave strangely and how can a neurologist help?

If your pet is behaving strangely, it's always a reason to wonder if there's something wrong with its health. The animal may have a problem with the nervous system if the following symptoms are observed:

• Paws trembling or paralyzed.
• Nervous tics.
• Seizures.
• Insensitivity or strange hypersensitivity of any area.
• Movement coordination is impaired.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Lack of mobility or inactivity.
• Head tilted to one side.
• Fright from familiar sounds or actions, excessive sleep, overexcitement or apathy.
• Impaired vision, constricted pupils, no reaction to smells and sounds, even to a name.
• The pet defecates before it has time to go to the toilet.
• Refusal to eat, drink, or play.
• Unsure of overcoming obstacles, such as stairs or thresholds.

These are the behavioral changes that you should immediately make an appointment with a neurologist if you notice them. Also, an urgent visit to an animal neurology specialist is mandatory if your pet has suffered a head or spinal injury. If the fracture is open, do not move your pet to prevent bone fragments from hitting nerves. Call Animal Clinic immediately and make a house-call for a veterinarian.

What a neurologist treats for animals

Often, a pet behaves strangely or does not move at all due to disorders in the nervous system. They can occur for the following reasons:

• Epilepsy.
• Paralysis.
• Spinal fracture.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Injuries that resulted in nerve damage, bruising, or lymph accumulation.
• Infectious disease.

To find out the cause of the disease, a neurologist may prescribe a CT scan, X-ray, and biochemical blood test. In some cases, it is necessary to examine the fundus or take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. The results of the tests will help the neurologist determine the degree of harmful effects on the nervous system and prescribe the optimal treatment.