Understanding the Brain & Spinal Cord
Health Tips
When a pet is diagnosed with a neurological condition, it’s natural for pet owners to feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar terms like brain, spinal cord, nerves, or lesions. At Specialists in Companion Animal Neurology (SCAN), we believe that understanding the basics of your pet’s nervous system can help you feel more confident, informed, and involved in their care.
This guide breaks down the brain and spinal cord in simple, approachable terms, no veterinary degree required.
What Is the Nervous System?
The nervous system is your pet’s body’s communication network. It controls how your dog or cat moves, feels, thinks, and responds to the world around them. From wagging a tail to jumping on the couch or recognizing your voice, the nervous system makes it all possible.
The nervous system has two main parts:
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain
The spinal cord
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
In neurology, most conditions we diagnose and treat involve the brain, spinal cord, or the nerves that connect them.
The Brain: The Body’s Control Center
The brain is like mission control for your pet’s body. It processes information, makes decisions, and sends instructions through nerves.
Main Parts of the Brain
1. Cerebrum: This is the largest part of the brain. It’s responsible for:
Behavior and personality
Learning and memory
Conscious movement
Processing senses like sight and sound
When pets have seizures, changes in behavior, or seem confused or disoriented, the cerebrum is often involved.
2. Cerebellum: The cerebellum helps coordinate movement and balance. It doesn’t start movement, but it fine-tunes it.
Problems in this area may cause:
Wobbliness or uncoordinated walking
Tremors
Difficulty jumping or navigating stairs
3. Brainstem: The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls many vital functions, including:
Breathing
Heart rate
Alertness
Swallowing and eye movements
Because so many critical functions pass through the brainstem, conditions here can be especially serious.
The Spinal Cord: The Information Highway
If the brain is the control center, the spinal cord is the main highway carrying messages back and forth between the brain and the body.
The spinal cord runs from the base of the brain down the neck and back, protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Messages travel through the spinal cord to tell muscles to move and to send sensations (like pain or touch) back to the brain.
Spinal Cord Regions
Veterinarians divide the spinal cord into regions, which helps us determine where a problem may be located:
Cervical (neck) – affects front and back legs
Thoracic (chest) – often affects back legs only
Lumbar (lower back) – affects back legs and bladder function
Sacral – tail, bladder, and bowel control
Signs of spinal cord disease may include:
Weakness or paralysis
Trouble walking
Pain, especially in the neck or back
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Nerves: Connecting the System
Peripheral nerves branch off the brain and spinal cord like wires. They carry signals to muscles and return sensory information back to the CNS.
Damage to nerves may cause:
Muscle weakness or shrinking
Limping
Loss of sensation
Changes in reflexes
Why Neurological Exams Matter
When your pet visits a veterinary neurologist, one of the most important tools we use is the neurological exam. By carefully evaluating posture, movement, reflexes, and responses, we can often determine where in the nervous system a problem is occurring, even before advanced imaging.
This helps guide next steps such as MRI, CT scans, or treatment planning.
You’re Not Alone
Neurological conditions can feel frightening, but understanding the basics of how the brain and spinal cord work can make the journey less intimidating. Our goal at SCAN is not only to provide advanced medical care, but also to support and educate pet owners every step of the way.
If you ever have questions about your pet’s diagnosis, symptoms, or treatment options, we encourage you to ask. An informed pet owner is a powerful part of the care team.
