Many dog and cat owners tend to consider initial reactions, such as the first seizure or lack of coordination while walking, as passing events. However, these signs can indicate serious problems in the animal's nervous system, including brain tumors, which affect both dogs and cats.
It is a fact that pets can develop conditions similar to human ones, such as epilepsy, herniated discs, meningitis, and brain tumors. The main difference lies in the diagnosis, which is often late because owners often do not know about the existence of specialized professionals in the field.
To fill this gap, Iconvet, a veterinary clinic located in Rio Vermelho, in Salvador, dedicated its focus to neurology since its inauguration in 2019.
According to the clinic, several symptoms warn that the animal needs a specialized neurological evaluation. Among them are seizures or episodes of loss of consciousness; disorientation, behavioral confusion, or inability to recognize familiar environments and people;
Other indicators include sudden changes in temperament, such as apathy or aggression; visual changes, such as sudden blindness or pupils of different sizes; motor difficulties in getting up, walking, or maintaining coordination of movements;
Warning signs also include repeatedly walking in circles toward a specific side, frequently rubbing the head (indicating discomfort), involuntary loss of control of urine or feces, or pressing the head against rigid surfaces like walls.
It is important to emphasize that not every seizure implies the presence of a tumor, and each symptom can have distinct origins. For this reason, a consultation with a neurologist is the essential initial step. If the animal suddenly stops walking, the clinic's advice is to treat it as an emergency and seek immediate medical assistance.
The process of diagnosing neurological diseases in animals involves a meticulous clinical examination, complemented, when necessary, by laboratory and imaging tests. These may include X-rays, CT scans, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Based on these findings, the specialist veterinarian determines whether the ideal management will be through continuous medication, other forms of therapy, or surgical intervention.
Specifically regarding brain tumors, Iconvet stands out as the only clinic in Bahia that performs brain surgeries on dogs and cats for tumor removal, using state-of-the-art equipment, such as the neuronavegador. The operating room is also equipped with an surgical arc, a device that provides real-time X-ray images during the procedure, which is an exclusive resource in Bahia. This technology is primarily applied in complex surgeries in the areas of neurology and orthopedics, where the clinic concentrates its activities.