Intracranial & Brain Disorders in Dogs & Cats
Seizures, sudden disorientation, head tilting, circling, or changes in behavior can all signal a problem within the brain. Because neurological signs often overlap between very different conditions, imaging the brain directly is the only way to distinguish a tumor from inflammation, a stroke from an infection.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging (SVI), our 3-Tesla MRI provides the highest-resolution brain imaging available in veterinary medicine. MRI is the gold standard for intracranial evaluation because it shows the brain’s soft-tissue anatomy in extraordinary detail — revealing tumors, inflammatory lesions, vascular events, and structural abnormalities that are completely invisible on X-rays and CT.
SVI offers advanced MRI services at our centers in Round Rock, Texas; Spring, Texas; and Sandy, Utah.
Common Intracranial Problems We Diagnose
Brain disorders in dogs and cats require rapid, accurate diagnosis to guide treatment. MRI is the essential tool for evaluating the brain parenchyma, meninges, ventricles, and surrounding structures. Below are the conditions our team most frequently identifies.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are one of the most common causes of new-onset seizures in older dogs and cats. MRI with contrast enhancement reveals tumor location, size, relationship to critical brain structures, degree of mass effect and brain herniation, and characteristics that help predict tumor type. Meningiomas (the most common brain tumor in cats and dogs) typically enhance strongly and have a broad dural attachment, while gliomas tend to be intra-axial with less uniform enhancement. This information guides decisions about surgery, radiation therapy, or palliative management.
Learn more about brain tumors →Ischemic & Hemorrhagic Stroke
Strokes in dogs and cats are more common than previously recognized. Ischemic strokes (caused by blocked blood flow) and hemorrhagic strokes (caused by bleeding) both produce sudden neurological deficits. MRI is the only modality that reliably differentiates stroke from other acute brain conditions. Specific MRI sequences like diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can detect ischemic injury within hours of onset, confirming the diagnosis and ruling out tumors or inflammation that require entirely different treatment.
Learn more about stroke →Encephalitis & Brain Inflammation
Encephalitis — inflammation of the brain — can be immune-mediated or infectious and often causes rapidly progressive neurological signs. MRI reveals the pattern, distribution, and severity of brain inflammation, which helps distinguish between immune-mediated conditions (GME, necrotizing encephalitis) and infectious causes (distemper, fungal, protozoal). This distinction is critical because immune-mediated encephalitis requires immunosuppression while infectious encephalitis requires antimicrobial therapy. CSF analysis performed alongside MRI provides additional diagnostic confirmation.
Learn more about encephalitis →Hydrocephalus & Ventricular Disease
Hydrocephalus — abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain’s ventricles — causes increased intracranial pressure and progressive neurological signs. MRI clearly shows ventricular enlargement, identifies the cause of obstruction (tumors, cysts, congenital malformations), assesses the degree of brain parenchyma compression, and monitors response to treatment. For congenital hydrocephalus in toy breeds, MRI helps determine whether medical management or ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is the best approach.
Learn more about hydrocephalus →Central Vestibular Disease
When pets present with head tilt, nystagmus, and loss of balance, the critical first question is whether the problem is peripheral (inner ear) or central (brainstem/cerebellum). Central vestibular disease is more serious and requires different treatment. MRI is the definitive way to evaluate the brainstem and cerebellum, identifying tumors, strokes, inflammation, or other lesions that cause central vestibular signs. This distinction directly impacts prognosis and treatment decisions.
Learn more about central vestibular disease →Breeds Commonly Affected
Intracranial conditions affect all breeds, but certain breeds face elevated risk. Boxers, Golden Retrievers, and Boston Terriers have higher rates of brain tumors (particularly gliomas). Domestic Shorthair cats are predisposed to meningioma. Pugs, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers are prone to necrotizing encephalitis. Toy breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians have higher rates of congenital hydrocephalus. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are predisposed to Chiari-like malformation affecting the caudal fossa. Greyhounds have elevated rates of ischemic stroke.
How Advanced MRI Helps
MRI is the only imaging modality that provides the soft-tissue contrast needed to evaluate the brain in detail. Our 3-Tesla system produces images with significantly higher resolution and signal-to-noise ratio than standard veterinary MRI systems, which is especially important for detecting subtle lesions in the brain. Multiple specialized sequences — including T1, T2, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted, and contrast-enhanced imaging — characterize lesions from different angles to narrow the diagnosis.
Each study is reviewed by our board-certified veterinary radiologists, who provide detailed reports and work directly with your veterinarian or neurologist to guide the most effective treatment plan.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Brain MRI studies typically take 45–75 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of sequences needed. Your pet will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure complete stillness. Contrast-enhanced images are routinely obtained to evaluate for tumors and inflammation. For patients with acute neurological emergencies, we prioritize rapid scheduling.
Results are interpreted by a board-certified veterinary radiologist, and your veterinarian typically receives a detailed report the same day. For urgent cases, preliminary findings can be communicated within hours.
Learn more about veterinary MRI at Sage →
Dr. Jaime Sage, DVM, MS, DACVR
Dr. Jaime Sage is the founder of Sage Veterinary Imaging and a board-certified veterinary radiologist (DACVR) with advanced expertise in diagnostic MRI for companion animals. Dr. Sage personally interprets complex cases and works closely with referring veterinarians to ensure every imaging study delivers clear, actionable diagnostic answers.
Her published research on MRI in veterinary medicine — co-authored with Dr. Patrick Gavin, a pioneer in the field — has contributed to advancing the standard of care for pets requiring advanced diagnostic imaging.
Why Choose Sage Veterinary Imaging
Get Answers for Your Pet
If your pet has new-onset seizures, sudden disorientation, head tilting, vision changes, or any rapidly progressive neurological signs, advanced brain MRI can identify the cause and help your veterinarian plan the most effective treatment.
Schedule a Diagnostic MRI Study
Visit one of our three locations to learn more and schedule your pet’s brain imaging study. For neurological emergencies, contact us directly for expedited scheduling.
Brain & Intracranial Imaging FAQ
Ready to Get Answers?
Advanced brain MRI can reveal the cause of your pet’s neurological symptoms and guide effective treatment. Visit one of our locations to get started.