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For the Pet Owner

What to Expect

We understand this can be a stressful time for you and your pet, but rest assured, your veterinarian has referred you to us because we are the leading center for advanced veterinary neurology. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you and your pet.

Scheduling a Consultation

After your veterinarian refers you to BVNS, you may contact us to schedule a consultation at our Leesburg, VA facility or our Springfield, VA facility. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday in Leesburg and Monday through Thursday in Springfield. If you wish to complete new client introductory paperwork prior to arrival, you may also download the forms here. Please plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete any additional paperwork and give your pet a chance to get acclimated to our hospital.

The Examination

By conducting a thorough examination, we hope to to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for your pet. This is accomplished by first determining the location and cause of your pet’s disease. Once an accurate diagnosis is obtained, we can then design a treatment plan to improve your pet’s function and comfort. Initial consultations typically take one to one and a half hours, but can be longer depending on examination findings.

Upon arriving at BVNS, a client service representative will greet you and your pet. If you need help bringing your pet inside, please call us when you arrive and a nurse will be glad to assist you. So that we may become more familiar with you and your pet, you will be asked to fill out a new client information sheet. If desired, these forms can be provided in advance by calling us at 703.669.2829 or you can download them here.

Once all paperwork is complete, a veterinary neurology nurse will meet you in the lobby and escort you and your pet into an exam room. Upon entering the exam room our team will conduct a thorough exam, including:

1. Patient History — We will ask for a list of all of the problems that your pet is experiencing. We will also ask when the problem began and for details about the problem’s progression. This can be time consuming, however, we do not want to overlook information that might be critical in determining the best diagnostic and therapeutic course.
2. Vital Signs — We will record your pet’s weight, temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, mucous membrane color, and capillary refill time. These values indicate the overall health of your pet and provide baseline values.
3. Neurology Examination  — After reviewing your pet’s history and vital parameters, a BVNS board certified neurologist will perform a physical and neurological examination. The neurology examination will include an evaluation of awareness, gait, posture, reflex, cranial nerve function, retinal and orthopedic function.
4. Record Review — A BVNS neurologist will review all relevant records from your veterinarian, such as blood work results, radiographs, and CT or MRI images. When necessary, they will confer with your veterinarian during the examination.
5. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Plan — After the neurologist has reviewed all the information (history, exam, existing tests, etc.), he or she will discuss a diagnostic plan and your pet’s prognosis. The neurologist may recommend additional testing if it could make a significant difference in the outcome. Useful tests in a patient with neurological disease include laboratory tests, radiographs, CSF analysis, MRI, or surgery. However, testing may not be necessary, and in these cases, the neurologist will recommend time, observation and potentially a trial with different medicines. Want to learn more about these diagnostic procedures? These resources can help. 
6. Communication With Your Referring Veterinarian  — After the exam, a copy of the report and any diagnostic tests will be faxed to your primary care veterinarian. The neurologist will contact your veterinarian to discuss any significant findings. We adopt this partnership approach to your pet’s care because we realize the best results are generated when you, your veterinarian and our staff work together and communicate as a team.
7. Follow Up — Subsequent phone consultations or emails will likely be necessary to follow your pet’s progress. Less commonly, follow-up examinations may be necessary to monitor your pet’s condition. Whenever possible, follow-up blood tests will be performed by your veterinarian and faxed to the BVNS board certified neurologist for their input and interpretation. This collaborative approach ensures your pet receives complete and comprehensive care.

Payment Options

Payment is due at the time services are rendered. If your pet requires hospitalization, diagnostic tests or a surgical procedure, you will be presented with a treatment plan and an estimate of fees. We require a deposit with the balance due at the time of discharge. For your convenience, we accept cash, local personal checks, ATM, MasterCard, Visa and CareCredit, a low or no-cost financing option for qualified applicants.