Neurosurgery – Basics (EN)

Diseases of the spine and spinal cord in small animal practice are a relatively common problem. The aim of this course is therefore to familiarize you with the most common spinal cord diseases and their therapy. The theoretical part will focus on common surgical and non-surgical spinal cord problems with an emphasis on the clinical differences between them. We will focus on proper clinical decision making, diagnosis and in also the treatment of such diseases. The practical part will focus on the indications, contraindications and techniques of cerebrospinal fluid collection (cisternal and lumbar puncture), as well as approaches and basic neurosurgical procedures of the spine in small animals (ventral slot and hemilaminectomy).

Course schedule:

1 Day 

09:00-10:45 Theory: surgical and non-surgical diseases of the thoracolumbar spine – diagnosis, therapy, radiographic versus CT versus MRI options

10:45-11:00 Break

11:00-12:00 Theory: cerebrospinal fluid collection: clinical relevance, fluid examination

12:00-13:00 Wet-Lab: cerebrospinal fluid collection (cisternal and lumbar puncture)

13:00-14:00 Lunch break (lunch included)

14:00-17:30 Wet-Lab: surgical access to the thoracolumbar spine (hemilaminectomy)

2 Day 

09:00-11:30 Theory: surgical and non-surgical disorders of the cervical spine – diagnosis, therapy, X-ray versus CT versus MRI options

11:30-12:30 Lunch break (lunch included)

12:30-15:30 Wet-Lab: ventral slot

Price: (without VAT)

Early bird: to 10.10.2025 – €1299

Regular price: from 11.10.2025  €1450