Veterinary Neurology
At the Animal Medical Center of Seattle, our goal is to diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system with your pet’s quality of life in mind. We strive to help pet owners understand their pet’s condition and develop a treatment plan that is best for the whole family. With access to specialized equipment and a team of veterinary specialists, we will provide comprehensive care while working with your primary veterinarian for long term management.
Adam Drury, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
After two internships, Dr. Drury completed a residency program in veterinary neurology and a Master’s degree at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. In the same year that he completed residency, Dr. Drury became a board-certified neurologist. After his residency, Dr. Drury worked in private practice at Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital in British Columbia, Canada, until he joined the Animal Medical Center of Seattle in February of 2024.
Dr. Drury enjoys all aspects of veterinary neurology but has a particular interest in surgical cases, which include intervertebral disc disease, spinal tumors, synovial cysts, subarachnoid diverticula, constrictive myelopathy, spinal trauma, intracranial tumors and non-cancerous intracranial masses.
He is also experienced in the medical management of many disorders of the brain and spine including autoimmune or infectious diseases, seizure disorders, neoplasia and trauma. He hopes to one day continue work on minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques that he investigated in his Master’s thesis.
In his free time, Dr. Drury enjoys hiking, running, cooking, playing guitar, wildlife photography and spending time with his wife, three children, and their family cat.
Chai-Fei Li, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Chai-Fei Li, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), is a dedicated veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon with a passion for improving the lives of animals.
Originally from Hong Kong and having lived in the UK and the USA, Dr. Li brings a diverse cultural background to the team at Animal Medical Center of Seattle.
Dr. Li completed her veterinary education at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2013. She then pursued an internship at North Carolina State University followed by a residency at the University of California, Davis, where she became a board-certified veterinary neurologist in 2017.
Since 2017, Dr. Li has been working as a faculty member at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, serving as an Assistant Professor in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. Specializing in complex neurosurgeries, her passion lies in intricate procedures such as fractures, atlantoaxial stabilization in small patients, tumor removal (brain or spinal cord), and revision surgeries aimed at correcting previous unsuccessful procedures (such as tumor resections or stabilization revisions), spina bifida surgeries, and sinus surgeries for chronic nasal/sinus fungal infections and tumors.
She has also authored articles on emergency treatment of neurological diseases, brain tumors, intervertebral disc disease, and atlantoaxial instability. Dr. Li eagerly anticipates the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Drury at Animal Medical Center of Seattle, where they will work together to advance minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques.
Outside of work, Dr. Li enjoys spending time with her cat and exploring different cultures and cuisines during her travels.
Procedures
MRI imaging of the brain and spine
CT imaging of the brain and spine
CSF analysis
Spinal surgery for:
- Intervertebral disc extrusion/protrusion
- Subarachnoid diverticulum
- Synovial cysts
- Dermoid cysts
- Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
- Spinal empyema
- Tumors (extra/intramedullary tumors)
- Constrictive myelopathy
- Atlantoaxial instability (including corrective surgeries for hardware failure)
- Fractures/subluxations (including corrective surgeries for hardware failure)
Craniotomy/Cranioectomy for:
- Brain Tumors
- Brain infection (empyema)
- Skull tumor such as multilobular tumor of bone (MLBT) or osteosarcoma
- Benign masses/cysts
- Sinusotomy for nasal/sinoid tumor and fungal/bacterial infections
- Skull reconstruction and corrective surgery for encephaloceles
- V-P Shunt placement for congenital/obstructive hydrocephalus multilobular tumor of bone
Specializing in stabilizing the atlantoaxial joint for both congenital and traumatic causes, with extensive experience in small patients, including those weighing less than 1 kg. Utilizing techniques such as transarticular pins and screws tailored to each individual patient, particularly useful when bones are malformed, to ensure thorough stabilization and neurological preservation.
We are experienced in performing open sinus surgeries for any conditions that necessitate access to the sinus, particularly for treating extensive and chronic issues that are not effectively managed by standard endoscopy or trephination techniques, such as extensive fungal or bacterial infections. This approach allows us to meticulously address sinus conditions by thoroughly debriding infected tissues and promoting effective healing.
Foramen magnum decompression for:
- Caudal occipital malformation syndrome
- Caudal fossa tumor
- Benign masses/cysts
Lumbosacral epidural injections
Perineural injections
Management of epilepsy
Management of meningoencephalomyelitis (autoimmune and infectious)
Management of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes
Diagnoses and management of infection of the central nervous systems (infectious encephalitis or discospondylitis)
Identification and management of
- Neurodegenerative conditions
- Management of chronic pain
Utilizing customized stabilization techniques across cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), and lumbosacral (LS, lower back and pelvis) segments. This includes employing advanced implants such as rods, screws, plates, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in certain cases for added stability. These techniques are applied not only for traumatic injuries but also to enhance stability following tumor removal, ensuring precise alignment and support. Specialized approaches also include enlarging foramens to alleviate nerve compression and improve spinal function, particularly beneficial in conditions like lumbosacral stenosis.
Spina Bifida is a congenital spinal condition that affects young animals, many times leading to gait abnormalities and urinary and fecal incontinence. Surgical techniques involved untethering the spinal cord and closure of spinal defects to protect neural tissues.
Our approach to tumor removal involves specialized techniques tailored for both brain and spinal tumors. For brain tumors, we employ methods such as modified transfrontal, rostral tentorial, and caudal fossa craniotomies, addressing conditions like meningioma, glioma, and multilobular tumor of bone (MLTB). In some spinal tumor cases, a combination of tumor removal with stabilization techniques might be required. This comprehensive approach ensures thorough tumor removal while supporting spinal stability and preserving neurological function, promoting effective recovery.
Contact Us Today
Here for your pet - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Address
17518 15th Ave NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
Click here for directions.
Contact Us
Call: 206-204-3366
Fax: 206-204-3858
Email: [email protected]