Bush Veterinary Neurology Service (6651 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA)

06/20/2024

Meet “Kobe,” a 1-year-old Golden Retriever, who was referred to Dr. Sarah Trub at Bush Veterinary Neurology Services Richmond for recurrent severe pain of unknown origin.

This issue began about 8 months prior, when Kobe was only 4 months old, and he was seen for progressive pain, lethargy, stiff neck, low head carriage, and fever lasting over 4 days. This April, Kobe’s owners became concerned about a relapse of the same issue when they noticed Kobe was unable to sit or stand comfortably, and he was hunched over, whining, refusing to walk, and had a decreased appetite.

An MRI was performed on Kobe’s cervical spine (neck), which revealed areas of inflammation within the meninges (three layers of membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord) in the neck region, as well as within the overlying muscles in the neck. Dr. Trub also evaluated spinal fluid, and those results showed significant inflammation as well.

MRI findings and Neurologic examination indicated that Kobe was suffering from “recurrent meningitis-myositis.” Meningitis-myositis is an autoimmune disease that causes muscle and meningeal inflammation. This can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus, protozoa, parasites, or immune system dysfunction. Signs include fever, neck rigidity, and painful muscle spasms.

With the help of MRI imaging, the BVNS treatment team was able to confirm the cause of Kobe’s recurring pain. Dr. Trub was able to treat Kobe with steroids, antibiotics, pain medications, and Cyclosporine, an immunomodulatory medication, which will be used to help prevent further relapse.

Kobe’s owners are relieved that their sweet puppy is no longer in pain and is back to enjoying normal “puppy” activities like going on walks, playing ball, and going on fun adventures. They now know how to prevent future relapses, and they have a team of trusted professionals working alongside their primary care doctor to monitor Kobe’s progress and ensure his recovery. Thank you for letting us share Kobe’s story, we hope this helps other pet owners identify symptoms and get answers faster!

Check out Kobe's in-hospital "before" photos compared to his post-treatment "after" photos. We swear we can see him smiling!

For a Neurology Consult or what to do for a Neurological Emergency contact us at: https://bvns.net/contactus/

06/16/2024

Happy Father's Day to all the dads of both human and pet children!🐾

06/12/2024

Calling all Animal Lovers... Bush Veterinary Neurology Service in Richmond has openings for Licensed Veterinary Technicians to join our team.

We're offering:
💰 $2,000 signing bonus (Paid at 6 months with positive review)
💰 $30+ competitive hourly pay based on experience
🐶Extensive Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health Benefits
🌴 Paid time off
📈 401(k) + matching
🏥 Health + Dental + Vision Insurance
📕 CE allowance
💲 Scrub allowance
🩺 Other voluntary benefit plans are available including Life, STD, LTD, Aflac
🐶 Pet Insurance

APPLY TODAY! https://bit.ly/3XlXDf7

06/10/2024

Everyone, say hi to Rosie 🐾

Rosie is a very sweet 6.5 year old who was a very athletic and energetic beagle mix. She was seen by her primary vet for acute neck pain and lethargy which was very unlike her. She did not seem to be improving with medications, so they recommended she pursue a neurology consult.

Our BVNS team performed an MRI and a CSF tap to see if we could figure out why she was so tired and uncomfortable. All testing came back normal, which ruled out a disc protrusion and tumor and made infection less likely. Based on her clinical signs, age, breed, and normal diagnostics, she was suspected to have cervical pain most consistent with MUE (immune-mediated myelitis).

Our team started an injection series and sent Rosie home on an oral steroid to try and suppress her immune system. The goal of immunosuppression, in this case, was to stop her body from “attacking” itself. We saw significant improvement each time we saw her for her scheduled injections.

Rosie responded remarkably well throughout her treatment and rapidly returned to her normal, bouncy, happy, affectionate self. She runs in to greet us for each of her scheduled injections, tail wagging, and ready to play! 💙

06/05/2024

BIG things are coming, Short Pump! 👏 32,000 square feet to be exact.

BVNS Richmond is partnering with Virginia Veterinary Centers at their brand new location in Short Pump, coming to West Broad Street in early 2025 🚨

05/31/2024

Meet Stella!

This seven-year-old Labrador Retriever is the main focus of BVNS's latest Neurotransmitter, a newsletter written by our board-certified neurologists. Read all about her story and discover how our very own Dr. Higginbotham helped her on her road to recovery.

https://bvns.net/neurotransmitter/neurotransmitter-stella/

05/27/2024

Happy Memorial Day! ❤️ 💙

Today we honor those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Because of their bravery, we are able to celebrate today with our family and friends.

AS a reminder, all BVNS locations are closed today. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend with your pets.

05/22/2024

While you're having fun with family and friends this Memorial Day Weekend, remember the following tips to help keep your pets safe this holiday:

⭐ Cookouts are popular this holiday weekend, but the food and drink you serve your guests may be dangerous for pets. A few especially toxic examples include alcohol, raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, and avocado.

⭐ Never leave your pets unsupervised around a pool, lake, or ocean. If you take your dog on a boat, we highly recommend having them wear a floatation device and keep them from drinking salt water. Also, try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains potentially dangerous chemicals.

⭐ Be sure that your pet has appropriate ID tags and up-to-date microchip information. People leaving doors open and loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms can all increase your pets’ chances of escaping.

⭐ Be sure your pet has easy access to plenty of water so they don't get dehydrated - preferably in a shady spot, especially if they are spending a lot of time outside.

All BVNS locations will be closed on Memorial Day.

05/15/2024

Meet Kirby!😍

This 12-year-old Bassett mix came to us for progressive weakness in her hind legs. Based on her exam, our team recommended an MRI and found a herniated disc. We performed a right-sided hemilaminectomy at T12-T13. As soon she woke up from surgery, she was happy and comfortable. She went home two days later and recovered remarkably quickly, acting as if nothing was ever wrong!

About three months went by and much to our dismay, we received a call that Miss Kirby was limping, and her neck was sore. Our team brought her in right away, did another MRI, and found she had ruptured another disc, this time in her neck!

Our team set her up for a drop-off ventral slot to surgically decompress her spinal cord at C5-C6. Kirby did so well, she woke up without a limp and with minimal discomfort. She went home the very next day with a big smile on her face!

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day! ❤️

Whether your babies have fur, feathers, fins, or scales, thank you for opening up your heart and home to animals in need of a loving mom! We hope your day is full of love and appreciation for all you do.

05/07/2024

This sweet, goofy boy is Kylo. 😍

He is a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever that has been limping on his front right leg for 6 months. His mom had done x-rays and tried multiple medications, but nothing seemed to help for long.

When he first came to see Dr. Trub in October 2023, he was severely painful and wouldn't bear any weight on the right front leg. Dr. Trub ordered an MRI which showed a disc bulge that was lateralized, compressing the nerve as it was exiting the spinal canal to the leg. Concurrently, he also had some inflammation in his shoulder joints.

We decided to try a different set of medications along with acupuncture. Kylo responded very well and is feeling better than he has since well before this problem started! He loves to come for his acupuncture visits; he immediately rolls over for belly rubs and refuses to stand up. He has now graduated, and we are pleased to see him be able to run and play without pain. Way to go, Kylo!

05/02/2024

Bush Veterinary Neurology Services and Virginia Veterinary Centers had a great time sponsoring the Shady Grove Elementary "Cardnival" Event last week! Thank you to the Shady Grove Cardinals for letting us be a part of your FUNdraiser!

05/01/2024

Meet Ruffette (aka Ruffie), a 5-year old American Staffordshire Terrier 😍

She came to see Dr. Trub in Richmond when she suddenly lost all function in her back legs. She was completely paralyzed and could not feel her toes. Ruffie was diagnosed with disc herniation and underwent an operation to remove the disc material from around her spinal cord.

She was given a 50% chance of walking again, and guess what? Two weeks after surgery she walked back into the hospital for her follow-up exam! We are so happy to see this sweet little girl doing better and on her way back to living her best life!

P.S. We love the picture of her looking longingly out the window. She will be running around outside again in no time!

04/27/2024

The World Veterinary Association created in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession. Today we celebrate the efforts of all veterinary medical teams around the world! 🌎❤🐕🐈🩺

04/24/2024

Let's celebrate! 🎉

Remember Ziva?! This sweet girl is 2 years out from her craniotomy surgery for a meningioma. She still enjoys playing frisbee and continues to do great.

Way to go Ziva!

04/19/2024

Everyone, meet Finn 👋

Finn presented to BVNS for pain and weakness. Poor guy couldn’t even lift his head. Dr. Wood and our team performed neck surgery to remove a ruptured disk.

Take a look at Finn just one day after neck surgery! We loved having him here and the great outcome we were able to deliver for Finn.

Interested in learning more about our services? Visit us at https://bit.ly/42VfZEG

04/18/2024

At BVNS, we are a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Neurologists who are committed to providing you and your pets the best neurologic care, dedication, and compassion that every patient deserves.

If a pet requires same-day, life saving neurosurgery, our team is prepared and available for emergency transfers. Additionally, we have the expertise, experience, dedication and ability to provide the care they need for long-term medical management.

Contact us at any of our locations:
📍 Leesburg, VA 703.669.2829
📍 Richmond, VA 804.716.4716
📍 Rockville, MD 301.637.4248
📍 Springfield, VA 703.451.3709

04/15/2024

Meet “Herbie” a 10-year-old lab who presented to Virginia Veterinary Centers Emergency Services after accidentally falling 10 feet from the first floor to the basement level of his house. Herbie was transferred to BVNS in Richmond, where Dr. Higginbotham and his team performed an assessment and MRI.

On exam, Herbie was non-ambulatory, meaning he could not walk on all four limbs. He was “knuckling” on all limbs and painful. X-rays revealed a fractured vertebra with luxation (dislocation) at C3-4. He also had a spinal contusion and an injured shoulder. Herbie was hospitalized and given pain meds to keep him comfortable while Dr. Higginbotham performed a spinal procedure to stabilize the fracture.

Herbie recovered with lots of love and care from his mom over the next few weeks. He has made a miraculous recovery with support from his family, our BVNS team, and rehabilitation/physical therapy and exercise.

Herbie is now able to go on walks with his mom, play with toys, and getting back to his regular activities. Way to go Herbie! Thank you for letting the VVC and BVNS teams be part of your recovery!

04/12/2024

🚨 BVNS Richmond is partnering with Virginia Veterinary Centers at their brand new location in Short Pump, coming to West Broad Street in early 2025 🚨

Check out our construction progress below and learn more about our new location here: https://bit.ly/3vhQq4c

04/04/2024

It is with great excitement that we welcome our newest Neurologist to the team, Dr. Montana DiVita! 👏

Montana DiVita is a Veterinary Neurologist joining the BVNS team in Springfield, VA. Dr. DiVita was born and raised in New Jersey, where she majored in Animal Science at Rutgers University. After college, Dr. DiVita attended Ross University in the British West Indies for veterinarian school and finished her clinical studies at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. It was during her clinical year that Dr. DiVita fell in love with the specialty of neurology.

You can learn more about Dr. DiVita here: https://bit.ly/3VH6Eyy

03/31/2024

Wishing you and your family a bright and joyful Easter Sunday! 🐰🐣

Are you enjoying your day with some bunny furry and special? Share a picture in the comments below!

03/22/2024

Have you heard? Next year, BVNS Richmond will officially be joining Virginia Veterinary Centers in our new home in Short Pump! 👏

More details to come, but you can check out some of our construction progress below⬇️

03/20/2024

Ever wonder when your pet needs to see a veterinary neurologist? Check out all the details in BVNS's newest blog ⬇️

If your pet has a neurologic condition, Bush Veterinary Neurology Service will work closely with your primary veterinarian to determine the correct diagnosis, implement treatment, and ensure they receive the care and ongoing check-ups they need. Contact us if you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have questions about your pet’s condition.

When Does My Pet Need a Veterinary Neurologist? Veterinary neurologists are specially trained to treat nervous system disorders affecting a pet’s brain,

03/17/2024

☘️ Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at BVNS! ☘️

How LUCKY are we to have such wonderful clients and patients like you! Did you and your pets celebrate today? Share pictures with us in the comments below!

A little safety reminder for your pets - both alcohol and shamrocks are toxic to dogs and cats. Remember to keep your furry loved ones at a safe distance from these substances today.

03/09/2024

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00am on Sunday! ⏰

As we spring ahead, our pets may be a little confused by their new meal times so keep that in mind as we all adjust to the new schedule.

We hope you and your pet are able to take advantage of the extra hour of daylight by spending some quality time outdoors. 🌞

02/27/2024

This is Lily with her devoted dad. 😍

Lily first saw Dr. Trub in Richmond in October 2023 for difficulty walking. We diagnosed a disc herniation and performed surgery to relieve the compression on her spinal cord.

She then continued with acupuncture treatments post-operatively and has recovered beautifully! She had her last treatment today and is walking normally with no pain. Happy graduation day, Lily! 🎓

Interesting in learning more about our services? Visit us at https://bit.ly/42VfZEG

02/19/2024

Happy Presidents' Day from the BVNS team!

02/19/2024

The BVNS Rockville team is excited to announce our newest Neurologist, Dr. Kendall Day 👏

Dr. Day grew up in upstate New York and obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island. Afterwards, she attended veterinary school at Auburn University (War Eagle!). Then, she completed a small animal rotating internship in Tampa, FL, a specialty neurology internship in Dallas, TX and a three-year residency at the University of Florida. After Dr. Day’s residency, she worked as a neurologist in Dallas, TX for a few years before deciding to brave the cold and move back to the northeast to be closer to family.

You can learn more about Dr. Day here: https://bit.ly/42AIjMc

02/14/2024

Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥💟💞 It’s that special time of year to share the love – especially with your pets. We hope your day is filled with extra snuggles and sloppy kisses from your furry loved one!

If you have a pet valentine this holiday, share a picture with us in the comments 💘💕😻

02/09/2024

Next year, BVNS Richmond will be officially joining Virginia Veterinary Centers in our new home in Short Pump! 👏

More details to come, but you can check out some of our construction progress below⬇️

Together, the teams at Bush Veterinary Neurology Service Richmond and Virginia Veterinary Centers are proud to partner and provide care to further support veterinary neurology patients in the greater Richmond area.

10/21/2022

This week we celebrate ! This week is set aside to recognize and celebrate these important team members who perform a vital role in the health and well-being of our pets. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to recognize technicians’ tremendous contributions at BVNS and in the veterinary community.

Here just a few facts you may not know about the veterinary technician role (it would be impossible to list them all!):

☑️ Veterinary technicians handle many of the same responsibilities that nurses and other professionals perform for physicians in human medicine. Like veterinarians, veterinary technicians are trained to work with several species of animals.

☑️ Veterinary technicians are trained to: take and record vital signs, obtain and record patient case histories, perform laboratory tests, take and develop radiographs (x-rays), draw blood, collect stool samples, sterilize equipment and exam rooms, administer medications, injections, IV fluids and anesthesia, assist in dental cleanings, remove sutures, clean wounds, and change dressings.

☑️ In addition to direct contact with patients, veterinary technicians also work closely with our clients to communicate patient history, vital signs, test results, at-home care instructions, and much more!

We are so proud of our incredible team of veterinary technicians here at BVNS. Thank you for all of the tremendous work that you do! 💙