NEUROLOGY

Our Expertise

Our Neurology Service is led by Dr. Colleen Embersics and Dr. Arturo Otamendi (LSU 2015) and offers an array of diagnostic and treatments for animals affected by neurological and spinal issues.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Conditions Treated or Managed

Brain Disorders

Seizure disorders - status epilepticus, cluster seizures, and refractory epilepsy
Intracranial neoplasia
Skull neoplasia
Stroke
Infectious encephalitis
Non-infectious encephalitis
Hydrocephalus
Chiari-like malformation
Congenital anomalies
Traumatic brain injuries
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome

Spinal Cord Disorders

Intervertebral disc disease
Intervertebral disc herniations
Discospondylitis / Diskospondylitis
Cervical spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler syndrome)
Empyema
Spinal cord cancer/tumors
Vertebral cancer/tumors
Fibrocartilaginous embolic (FCE) myelopathy
Infectious and non-infectious meningitis / myelitis
Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA)
Congenital vertebral malformations
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
Degenerative myelopathy
Arachnoid diverticulum
Traumatic spinal cord injuries
Brachial plexus avulsions

Neuromuscular Disorders

Myasthenia gravis
Optic neuritis
Masticatory muscle myositis
Facial nerve paresis/paralysis
Vestibular diseases
Myotonia and pseudomyotonia
Infectious and non-infectious neuritis and myositis
Nerve sheath tumors
Compressive and traumatic neuropathies
Congenital neuromuscular disorders
Polyradiculoneuritis (Coon Hound Paralysis)
Tick paralysis

Other

Movement disorders
Narcolepsy with and without cataplexy
Sleep behavior disorders
Neuropathic pain

Diagnostics

Neurological examination and localization

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and analysis

Diagnostic Imaging

Radiographs
Ultrasound
Computed Tomo-graphy (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Electrodiagnostics

Electroencephalo-graphy (EEG)
Ambulatory electroencephalo-graphy (aEEG)
Electroretinography (ERG)
Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER)
Electromyography (EMG)
Nerve conduction velocities (NCV)–motor and sensory
Repetitive nerve stimulation
Late (F/H) waves

Surgical Procedures

Craniotomy
Craniectomy
Foramen magnum decompression
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement
Hemilaminectomy
Dorsal Laminectomy
Pediculectomy
Foraminotomy
Ventral slot procedure
Intervertebral disc fenestrations
Vertebral fracture/luxation stabilization
Atlantoaxial luxation stabilization (ventral approach)
Brain/vertebral/skull tumor excision/debulking
Nerve biopsy
Muscle biopsy
Stereotactic surgery

Referrals

Appointments are by referral only. If you are a pet owner, please ask your veterinarian for a referral. Referring veterinarians can contact our Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Please contact Shelby Panepinto, Service Coordinator, at 225-578-5109

Our Team

Dr. Colleen Embersics is originally from Texas, where she attended the Texas Academy of Leadership and Stephen F. Austin State University. Following graduation from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Embersics completed a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship with an interest in neurology and neurosurgery at the Purdue University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Following her internship, Dr. Embersics completed a residency in neurology and neurosurgery at the University of California, Davis. She joined the faculty at LSU Vet Med in October 2022. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology/Neurosurgery). Her clinical interests include stereotactic neurosurgery, electrophysiology, sleep disorders, neurogenetics, and personalized medicine.

DR. EMBERSICS'S FACULTY PAGE

Dr. Arturo Otamendi received his DVM from LSU Vet Med in 2014. He completed a rotating internship at North Carolina State University's veterinary school and a neurology residency at Texas A&M University's veterinary school. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology/Neurosurgery). His clinical interests include managing complicated seizure cases and patients with inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system.

Dr. Otamendi's Faculty Page

Dr. Bruna Miessler is the staff veterinarian in neurology.

Dr. Sarang Im is a neurology intern.

Mike the Tiger (placeholder image for Lauren Broussard)