Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Dec 1, 2025

Introduction

This intensive two-day course, Neurolocalisation and Case-Based Work-Up of Cranial, Spinal and Peripheral Nervous System Lesions, offers a practical, highly interactive deep dive into small-animal neurology. It combines concise, targeted lectures with hands-on case discussions to help clinicians sharpen their diagnostic skills and improve everyday clinical decision-making. With no restriction on participant numbers, the programme is designed to be accessible, engaging and immediately applicable in practice.

Course Objectives

  • Strengthen confidence and accuracy in small-animal neurolocalisation.
  • Quickly distinguish central from peripheral vestibular disease.
  • Understand when and how to perform CSF taps, and interpret CSF findings effectively.
  • Work through real cranial, spinal, peripheral and neuromuscular cases using a structured problem-solving approach.
  • Enhance clinical reasoning and streamline neurological work-ups in general practice.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
2016 – 2018 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

09.00-09.10 – Welcome
09.10-10.30 – Neurolocalisation
10.30-11.00 – Coffee break
11.00-12.00 – Differentiating between central and peripheral vestibular disease
12.00-13.00 – Talk: CSF tap and CSF analysis
13.00-14.00 – Lunch break
14.30-16.00 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with cranial pathologies (I)
16.00-16.30 – Coffee break
16.30-17.15 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with cranial pathologies (II)
17.15-18.00 – Day recap and welcome cocktail

DAY 2

09.00-10.30 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with spinal pathologies (I)
10.30-11.00 – Coffee break
11.00-13.00 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with spinal pathologies (II)
13.00-14.00 – Lunch break
14.00-16.00 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with peripheral nervous system pathologies
16.00-16.30 – Coffee break
16.30-17.30 – Interactive case-based workup of cases with neuromuscular lesions
17.30-18.00 – Closing remarks

Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Dec 1, 2025

Ventral slot and hemilaminectomy are the most frequently performed spinal surgeries for treating cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs. The course will teach how to perform both procedures step by step, through theoretical lectures and practical wetlabs using cadavers. However, spinal surgery is only the final stage in the work-up of clinical patients. Therefore, the course will also cover clinical reasoning, spinal neurolocalisation, as well as spinal imaging, ensuring a complete and structured approach from diagnosis to surgical decision-making.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
2016 – 2018 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

09.00-09.15 – Welcome and Introduction
09.15-09.45 – Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09.45-10.45 – Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10.45-11.15 – Coffee break
11.15-11:45 – Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11.45-13.00 – Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by participants)
13.00-14.00 – Lunch break
14.00-15.45 – Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15.45-16.15 – Coffee break
16.15-17.00 – Talk: Spinal imaging
17.00-17.45 – Day recap and welcome cocktail

DAY 2

09.00-10.30 – Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos of cases spinal diseases
10.30-11.00 – Coffee break
11.00-11.45 – Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11.45-12.15 – Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12.15-13.15 – Lunch break
13.15-15.30 – Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15.30-16.00 – Coffee break
16.00-17.30 – Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)
17.30-17.45 – Closing remarks

Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Jun 17, 2025

Ventral Slot and hemilaminectomy are the most frequently performed spinal surgeries to treat cervical and throacolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs. The course will teach how to perform those two surgeries step by step, both as theoretical lectures as well as wetlabs using cadavers. However, spinal surgeries are only the last step in the work up of clinical patients. Therefore, clinical reasoning and spinal neurolocalisaton will be discussed as well.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
2016 – 2018 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

Time Title
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome and Introduction
09:15 – 09:45 Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09:45 – 10:45 Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11:45 – 13:00 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by particpants)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 15:45 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:00 Talk: Thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy

DAY 2

Time Title
09:00 – 10:30 Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:45 Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11:45 – 12:15 Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch break
13:15 – 15:30 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)
Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Nov 22, 2024

Ventral Slot and hemilaminectomy are the most frequently performed spinal surgeries to treat cervical and throacolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs. The course will teach how to perform those two surgeries step by step, both as theoretical lectures as well as wetlabs using cadavers. However, spinal surgeries are only the last step in the work up of clinical patients. Therefore, clinical reasoning and spinal neurolocalisaton will be discussed as well.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
since 2012 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

Time Title
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome and Introduction
09:15 – 09:45 Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09:45 – 10:45 Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11:45 – 13:00 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by particpants)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 15:45 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:00 Talk: Thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy

DAY 2

Time Title
09:00 – 10:30 Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:45 Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11:45 – 12:15 Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch break
13:15 – 15:30 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)
Neurolocalisation and case-based work-up of cranial, spinal and peripheral nervous system lesions

Neurosurgery 1

Dec 22, 2023

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
since 2012 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

Time Title
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome and Introduction
09:15 – 09:45 Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09:45 – 10:45 Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11:45 – 13:00 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by particpants)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 15:45 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:00 Talk: Thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy

DAY 2

Time Title
09:00 – 10:30 Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:45 Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11:45 – 12:15 Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch break
13:15 – 15:30 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)