Neurology Service expands electrodiagnostic testing

The Hospital for Small Animals’ neurology team has expanded its electrodiagnostic capabilities with the introduction of electroencephalography (EEG) —strengthening the service’s ability to diagnose and manage complex neurological conditions in referral patients.

Improving diagnosis

The Hospital has invested in a new device that combines EEG technology with an upgraded electrodiagnostic setting. This enhances the team’s ability to record electrical activity from the brain, nerves, and muscles to assess neurological function, and deliver a more comprehensive assessment of the nervous system.

The addition of EEG technology enables the team to assess brain electrical activity, creating possibilities for improving the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, complex seizure cases, sleep disorders, and other paroxysmal neurological events. The electrodiagnostic machine can also be used to perform the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) hearing test. 

The addition of EEG complements the service’s existing tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) which evaluate neuromuscular conditions including myasthenia gravis, polyneuropathies, and myopathies.

EEG benefits

The EEG software is housed in a portable tablet and features a wireless headbox for patient comfort. It also incorporates an infra-red video camera capable of recording in darkness, with automatic night mode activation, allowing simultaneous video-EEG monitoring in low-light.

EEG testing is particularly valuable in cases where seizure activity is suspected but not overtly observed, helping to distinguish true epileptic events from movement disorders or behavioural episodes.

In addition, EEG testing supports the evaluation of patients with head trauma, encephalitis, or intracranial lesions, and sleep-related disorders and can provide objective data on brain function in compromised patients.

Supporting vets

The Hospital’s Neurology Service is one of the largest in the UK, comprising five ECVN and RCVS accredited specialists, five residents, and two dedicated neurology nurses. A 24-hour emergency service ensures continuity of care for patients requiring urgent neurological assessment, monitoring and intervention.

The service offers free advice to vets in first opinion practice and welcomes referrals for all neurological cases, ranging from acute emergencies to complex diagnostic investigations. 

With the addition of EEG testing, the team now offers one of the most comprehensive electrodiagnostic suites available, ensuring every referred patient benefits from advanced diagnostic insights.

For advice or to arrange a referral, please contact the Hospital on 0131 650 7650 or email hfsareception@ed.ac.uk.