Neurology and Neurosurgery

acvim Dogs and cats can suffer many of the same brain, spinal cord and neuromuscular problems that humans do. These all fall into the specialty of neurology/neurosurgery and include a wide range of disorders - dog and cat seizures including epilepsy, ruptured discs, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, brain tumors, etc. Although neurological disorders sometimes cause great distress for pets and owners, many problems can be treated very successfully.

Because diagnosis and treatment of a neurological disorder can be complex and challenging, general practice veterinarians often work with our board-certified veterinary neurologists/ neurosurgeons, who are experts in managing disorders of the brain, spinal cord and neuromuscular system. The Neurology/Neurosurgery service at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital is staffed with three board-certified neurologists: Dr. Robin Levitski-Osgood, Dr. Tammy L. Stevenson, 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 perform a complete range of neurosurgeries on dogs and cats, such as dorsal & hemiaminectomies, ventral slot procedures, intervertebral disc fenestration, and exploration of the peripheral nerves and nerve root. Spinal stabilization is also performed. State-of-the-art intracranial neurosurgical procedures include craniotomy, cranioplasty, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Pets that are critically ill or recovering from extensive surgery or diagnostics are personally monitored by both the Neurologist and Critical Care Specialist in our intensive care unit.

Book an appointment at Veterinary Specialty Hospital

Neurology/ Neurosurgery Services and Procedures

Diagnostic Imaging – CT, MRI, myelogram
Electrodiagnostics – EMG/NCV/BAER
Dorsal laminectomies & hemilaminectomies
Spinal stabilization
Craniotomy
Cranioplasty
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement
CT scan and MR imaging
Electromyography
Repetitive nerve stimulation
Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies
Special testing for myasthenia gravis (SFEMG)
Auditory brainstem potentials
Somatosensory evoked potentials

North County

Tammy L. Stevenson, DVM, DACVIM: Dr. Tammy L. Stevenson is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine specializing in neurology and neurosurgery. She has extensive clinical training in all aspects of veterinary neurology/neurosurgery. Her special interests include neuroradiology, neurosurgery, and inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Dr. Stevenson is proficient in neurosurgery including brain and spinal tumor removal, spinal fracture repair, atlantoaxial luxation fixation, and disc surgery, as well as muscle and nerve biopsies for diagnosis of peripheral disease processes. She has extensive training in interpretation of advanced imaging including myelography, MRI, and CT of the brain and spine. Dr. Stevenson prides herself on her patient care including proactive pain management and compassionate handling. She is strongly bonded to her patients and clients.

Dr. Stevenson initially earned degrees in fashion and costume design and pursued a career in costume for film and television. After adopting her first pet, she traded the 'glamorous life' for veterinary medicine. Dr. Stevenson received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She then arrived here in San Diego to complete a general internship in medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego. Following her internship, Dr. Stevenson completed her residency in Neurology/Neurosurgery at The University of California, Davis. She had been practicing at specialty hospitals in the LA area prior to moving back to San Diego. Dr. Stevenson has been actively involved in the teaching of students and interns throughout her residency training and specialty practice, including serving as Internship Coordinator at one of her previous specialty hospitals.

San Diego

David Lipsitz, DVM, DACVIM: 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 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 completed his neurology/neurosurgery residency at the University of California, Davis in 1991 and became board certified in 1993. He then went to the University of Wisconsin where he served as a research fellow with a clinical appointment and then as an assistant/associate professor until 2000. He then returned to UC Davis as an assistant professor and was the senior clinical neurologist. He joined VSH in 2002.
Robin Levitski-Osgood, DVM, DACVIM: 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 has extensive training and experience in neurosurgery, neuroimaging and medical neurology. 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 completed her BS degree at Cal Poly Pomona in 1991. She obtained her DVM from the University of California, Davis in 1995 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. She returned to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego as a board certified neurologist in 2000.

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. She has taken an active role in the teaching of students, externs and interns throughout her residency program and while in specialty practice. Dr. Levitski-Osgood and her husband share their home with their beautiful twins, one very old cat and their dog Stuart Little.

Neurology and Neurosurgery

Neurology/ Neurosurgery Services and Procedures

North County

San Diego

Specialties