What is a Veterinary Neurologist?

A veterinary neurologist is a veterinarian who exclusively treats disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular junction. To achieve Diplomate status a veterinarian must complete a one-year rotating internship, as well as a three-year residency program which is accredited by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Often times a neurological internship is completed following a rotating internship, due to the high competition for accredited residencies and specific skill set needed to enter a neurological/neurosurgery residency. A veterinary neurology resident is required to extensively document their training over three years, including logging all surgeries and procedures performed. They must successfully pass the two-part small animal internal medicine general boards during their second year of residency, as well as a five-part neurology specialty board exam at the end of their third year. To pass these boards they must have extensive knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurosurgery, physiology, clinical pathology, gross pathology, radiology, and electrodiagnostics as they pertain to the nervous system.