Information for vets

On this page we provide detailed information for the referring veterinary surgeon.

On this page:

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To speak to Clare Rusbridge or make a referral appointment

Clare Rusbridge will see all neurological referrals including spinal disorders and epilepsy. She is at Stone Lion Veterinary Centre from Monday to Thursday.

Epileptic cases are usually seen on a Wednesday afternoon, although appointments can be made on other days.

Referrals may be made via reception. Stone Lion Veterinary Centre is open from 8am until 7.30pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 8am until 5pm. Please call during these hours unless it is an emergency.

Our receptionists Caroline, Kathryn or Debbie will make an appointment for your client, or take a message and arrange for Clare Rusbridge to call you back as soon as possible.

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Guidance on making neurology referrals

Please provide a full case history together with all laboratory results and radiographs prior to the consultation.

All animals must be starved on the day of the consultation

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• Discontinue all steroid therapy: failure to do so may jeopardise our ability to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
• If the animal is in pain, NSAIDs or opioids can be administered.
• Continue anti-epileptic drugs/therapy.
• Antibiotics can be given.

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MRI Scans

We are able to scan animals by magnetic resonance imaging.
This is not the same as CT, PET or EEG scanning.

Please inform your clients that a deposit of £200 is required when making an appointment for an MRI scan to avoid no-shows as we have a waiting list.

Animals for MRI must be assessed beforehand: it is not possible to have an appointment and scan on the same day. This is for logistic reasons; in the past, people have booked appointments for a scan, but not turned up... in such instances, the place on the MRI waiting list could have been given to someone else. Emergencies will always be scanned at the first available opportunity.

Having examined the animal, we often feel that an MRI scan is not always the most appropriate diagnostic test so clients should not be led to believe that a scan will necessarily be carried out.

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• Absent deep pain perception
• Status epilepticus
• Head trauma/coma
• Tetanus
• Meningitis or suspected meningitis
• Any animal with a rapidly deteriorating neurological status
• A puppy/kitten with a sudden onset or rapidly progressive neurological problem

If you are going to refer, these cases MUST be referred immediately for the best outcome. Out of normal hours, call our emergency number - 020-8944-9977.

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Please leave a contact number and Clare Rusbridge will contact you to discuss the case.

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Paralysed/ "off legs"

If you are referring this kind of case, please provide answers to the following questions:

• Are all four limbs affected or just the hind?
• Can the animal walk with assistance?
• Can the animal urinate?
• Does the animal have deep pain perception this means that when the animals toes are pinched that the animal can feel it (not just withdraw the limb) but respond to the painful stimulus e.g. by crying?
• How long has the animal been like this?
• Is the animal deteriorating?

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Epilepsy cases

Please be aware that the initial appointment will last an hour.

It would be helpful if clients could bring with them a diary of when and how the seizures occurred.

Clients will be asked to complete a detailed seizure questionnaire whilst at the centre so please remind them to arrive early and to bring their glasses if needed!

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This is a very rough guide for you to give an approximate idea of costs.

Last updated 06/10/02