Neurology/ Neurosurgery

Animals can suffer many of the same brain, spinal cord, nerve, and muscle problems that humans do. These all fall in the area of neurology and include a wide range of disorders -- epilepsy, concussions, ruptured disks, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, brain tumors, etc. Although neurological disorders sometimes cause great distress for pets and owners, many problems are highly treatable. Sometimes drug therapy is effective. Sometimes surgery is indicated.

Because diagnosis and treatment of a neurological disorder can be complex and challenging, general practice veterinarians often work with our board-certified veterinary neurologists and neurosurgeons, who are experts in managing disorders of the brain, spinal cord, neuromuscular system. The Neurology/Neurosurgery service at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital is staffed with two board-certified neurologists: Dr. Robin Letvitski-Osgood and Dr. David Lipsitz.

The Neurology service at VSH provides specialized on-site diagnostic procedures, including computed tomography (CT), myelography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI.) We also offer full service electrodiagnostics (EMG/NCV/BAER) for animals with neuromuscular diseases. Muscle and nerve biopsies are performed and processed in the Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory at UCSD.

We offer a complete range of neurosurgeries, such as dorsal & Hemi-laminectomies, ventral slot procedures, intervertebral disc fenestration, and exploration of the peripheral nerves and nerve root. Spinal stabilization is also performed. State-of-the-art intercranial neurosurgical procedures include craniotomy, cranioplasty, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Patients that are critically ill or recovering from extensive surgery or diagnostics are personally monitored by both the Neurologist or Critical Care Specialist in our intensive care unit. Find out how to make an appointment.

	Neurology/ Neurosurgery Services and Procedures
	Diagnostic Imaging – CT, MRI, ultrasound, endoscopy   Electrodiagnostics -- EMG/NCV/BAER Dorsal laminectomies & hemilaminectomies Spinal stabilization Craniotomy Cranioplasty Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement C-T scan and MRI imaging   Electromyography   Repetitive nerve stimulation   Electroretinograms   Visual evoked potentials   Electrodiagnostic testing   Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies   Special testing for myasthenia gravis   Auditory brainstem potentials   Somatosensory evoked potentials

Neurology Forms (printable)

Neurology Services

Disc Disease

Seizures

Specialists - Neurology/ Neurosurgery

Robin Levitski-Osgood, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) 

David Lipsitz, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Robin Levitski-Osgood, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) DVM: UC Davis Internship: Vet Specialty Hosp. of S.D. Residency: University of Wisconsin

A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology), Dr. Robin Levitski-Osgood specializes in all aspects of medical and surgical neurology. She is proficient in neuroimaging such as myelography, CT and MRI, spinal and intracranial surgery and electrodiagnostics including peripheral nerve studies and hearing tests (BAER). She has a special interest in MRI for the diagnosis of central nervous system disorders, intracranial surgery for the treatment of brain tumors, and the management of canine epilepsy. 

 

Dr. Robin Levitski-Osgood obtained her DVM from the UC Davis in 1995. She then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery here at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego. Following her internship, Dr. Levitski-Osgood worked as an emergency and relief veterinarian in the San Diego area for one year. Dr. Levitski-Osgood then completed a three-year residency program in Neurology/Neurosurgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

Dr. Levitski-Osgood has published several scientific articles demonstrating the usefulness of MRI for diseases of the brain and spine, as well as the diagnosis and management of canine cervical stenotic myelopathy and monitoring of serum Phenobarbital concentrations in dogs. Dr. Levitski-Osgood has lectured both locally and internationally to veterinarians.

 

Dr. Levitski-Osgood and her husband share their home with two beautiful cats and their dog Stuart Little.

 

 

 David Lipsitz, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

 

Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) DVM: University of Tenessee Internship: Angell Memorial (Boston) Residency: UC Davis

A Diplomate of the  American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology), Dr. Lipsitz has extensive training and experience in intracranial and spinal surgery. His special interests also include the MRI features of various neurological diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. He also has a strong interest in neuromuscular diseases and electrodiagnostic medicine.

 

Dr. Lipsitz has an appointment as an Assistant Clinical Professor at UC San Diego in the Department of Pathology where he is involved in the study of neuromuscular diseases with the Companion Animal Diagnostics Section of the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory, Department of Pathology.

 

Dr. David Lipsitz received his DVM from the University of Tennessee in 1988 and completed his small animal internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. Dr. Lipsitz became board-certified in Neurology / Neurosurgery after completing his residency at the University of California, Davis in 1991. He later served as Chief of Neurology at the University of Wisconsin, and then returned to UC Davis where he became the senior clinical neurologist. At UC Davis, he has served as a lecturer in Neurology/Neurosurgery, a research fellow with a clinical appointment, and an assistant professor.

  

Dr. Lipsitz has published many scientific articles and textbook chapters and lectures frequently at local, national and international scientific meetings. He has also lectured veterinary students at veterinary colleges around the country.