Launch of state-of-the-art neurology service

We’re delighted to now deliver a comprehensive Neurology service to treat patients with conditions of the brain, spinal cord and neuromuscular system.

Launch of state-of-the-art neurology service

Clinical Director Duncan Barnes says the new service is an important addition to the multidisciplinary care available at Eastcott.

“We have invested heavily in equipment and recruited first-class clinicians to create this service to investigate and treat pets with neurological disorders.

“We’re delighted to welcome neurologists Virginia Crespo and Alex Hamilton to Eastcott to lead this new service.

“They will provide in-depth consultations and neurological assessments alongside a variety of advanced diagnostic procedures to identify the problem and prepare an appropriate treatment plan.

“Virginia and Alex will have access to Eastcott’s new 1.5T MRI scanner and the clinic’s CT scanner, as well as electromyography, to assess the function of the nerves and muscles, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Eastcott Referalls new MRI scanner

“They will also work closely with another new recruit, Nicholas Taylor, who has joined us as Referral Radiographer, and other specialists across the hospital as part of a holistic approach to patient care.”

Virginia Crespo, DVM PGDip MSc MRCVS, qualified in 2012 from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where she also served a rotating internship, before completing an internship in neurology and neurosurgery at the Animal Health Trust in 2016.

Virginia finished a three-year residency in neurology and neurosurgery at Langford Veterinary Services in July, alongside attaining a Master’s of Science degree with Bristol University.

She is interested in all aspects of neurology, with a special interest in surgical and emergency cases.

Alex Hamilton, BA VetMB MRCVS, graduated from Cambridge University in 2005 and after five years working in both mixed and emergency and critical care practice, he completed a surgical internship at the Animal Referral Hospital, Sydney, in 2012.

Alex then completed a European accredited neurology residency at Melbourne University and fellow Linnaeus practice Willows Veterinary Centre, in Solihull, and has since worked in Australia and the UK as a neurologist.

He is interested in all areas of neurology and neurosurgery with a particular interest in inflammatory CNS disease.

The launch of the neurology unit completes an impressive extension of Eastcott’s veterinary services over the past five years, with the clinic now offering a comprehensive care package.

Duncan added: “Opening the neurology service is like putting the final piece into the jigsaw.

“We have seen remarkable growth in the past five years to reach the stage that we can now offer an exceptionally high level of clinical care to our patients across all our disciplines.

“We don’t see it as the end of the journey, though. It feels much more like the start of another exciting chapter at Eastcott Veterinary Referrals as we continue to grow in strength and depth.”

Our Neurology team are happy to provide advice by phone (01793 528 341) or email neurology@eastcottvets.co.uk