Northwest Referrals

01/10/2025

🩺✨ Today on Diagnostic Diaries!
We met a lovely 7-year-old French Bulldog who presented with seizures.

🔍 MRI of the brain revealed:
• A left-sided olfactory bulb/frontal lobe intraparenchymal lesion — most suspicious for a glioma, though extension of a nasal tumour or inflammatory granuloma can’t be ruled out
• A left caudal ethmoidal labyrinthine lesion — possible extension of the intracranial lesion, a primary nasal tumour/lymphoma, or inflammation
• Bilateral otitis media with effusion

A complex case that demonstrates just how much information advanced imaging can provide in patients with neurological signs. 🐾💡 ‪ ‬

24/09/2025

🩺✨ Today on Diagnostic Diaries!
We saw a sweet 6-year-old crossbreed who came in with ataxia and knuckling in the hindlimbs.

🔍 An MRI of the spine revealed an acute right-sided intervertebral disc extrusion at L3-L4.

A classic example of how advanced imaging helps us pinpoint the cause of neurological signs and guide treatment! 🐾💡 ‪ ‬

17/09/2025

🩺✨ Today on Diagnostic Diaries!
We met a beautiful 10-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was struggling with her tongue hanging out, difficulty picking up her ball, and trouble eating treats.

🔍 A CT of her head revealed:
• An aggressive mass of the left mandible (possible causes include squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, or others)
• Mild left mandibular lymphadenomegaly, which could represent reactive hyperplasia or metastatic disease

A challenging case that highlights the importance of advanced imaging in uncovering the underlying causes of subtle but significant changes. 🐾💡 ‪ ‬

13/09/2025

“We’re halfway through the Vets4Pets well-being retreat in the beautiful Scottish Borders and it’s been fabulous so far! Looking forward to the rest of today’s sessions and time together.” ‪ ‬

12/09/2025

“We’re delighted to be hosting Vets4Pets practice owners at the well-being retreat in the beautiful Scottish Borders. Wishing you an enjoyable weekend and looking forward to connecting with you.” ‪ ‬

10/09/2025

🩺✨ Today on Diagnostic Diaries!
We saw a lovely 6-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who came in with neck pain.

🔍 MRI findings included:
• A C7 vertebral body tumour extending into the right paravertebral muscles
• A cranial mediastinal mass

An important reminder of how advanced imaging can reveal the bigger picture behind clinical signs. 🐾💡 ‪ ‬

05/09/2025

✨ One of our referral clients is raising money for an incredible cause at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. ✨

Please take a moment to read their touching story, and if you’re able, consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a huge difference. 💙

Thank you so much for your support 🙏

Help Woolton Vets raise money to support Alder Hey Children's Charity

03/09/2025

🩺✨ Today on Diagnostic Diaries!
We met a sweet 5-year-old Miniature Pinscher who came in with neck pain, ataxia, and knuckling.

🔍 An MRI of the neck and brain revealed:
• A mild chronic disc protrusion at C6-C7
• Marked bilateral hydrocephalus (lateral + third ventricles)
• Expansion of the supracollicular space — with the possibility of an intracranial intra-arachnoid diverticulum

A fascinating case that highlights just how much advanced imaging can uncover! 💡🐾

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13/08/2025

Diagnostic Diaries – July 23

Today we assessed a beautiful 8-year-old Northern Inuit Dog who presented with episodes of disorientation, ataxia, and intermittent vacant episodes—neurological signs localizing to the forebrain.

An MRI of the brain revealed a large right-sided intra-axial space-occupying lesion affecting the rostral cerebrum. The mass displayed cystic and necrotic characteristics, highly suggestive of a neoplastic process, with oligodendroglioma as the most likely differential.

Oligodendrogliomas are primary brain tumors that arise from glial cells and often present with forebrain signs due to their predilection for the cerebral hemispheres. Their imaging features commonly include ring enhancement, central necrosis, and mass effect.

This case illustrates the critical value of MRI in evaluating intracranial pathology and underscores the need to consider primary brain tumors in middle-aged to older dogs presenting with progressive or episodic neurological signs.

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06/08/2025

Diagnostic Diaries

Today we saw a lovely 11-year-old Shar Pei who presented with progressive neurological deficits, including knuckling of the left forelimb and hindlimb, as well as difficulty walking.

An MRI of the cervical spine was performed, which revealed a large left-sided intradural (± intramedullary) lesion at the level of C4–C5. The lesion’s location and imaging characteristics are consistent with a compressive spinal cord pathology, potentially of neoplastic origin—though differential diagnoses could also include granulomatous or infectious disease processes.

This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in older patients with asymmetric neurological signs, especially when both thoracic and pelvic limbs are involved, suggesting a high cervical or multifocal spinal cord lesion.

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