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Levine Veterinary Neurology

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Lakewood Ranches, FL
Levine Veterinary Neurology

Dr. Christopher Levine is a veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon who founded Levine Veterinary Neurology 2017.

Levine has completed a three-year neurology residency at the Veterinary Neurological Center in Phoenix, Ariz., and an internship in small animal internal medicine and surgery at the Oklahoma State University Center. He is a neurology diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Levine’s primary interests include intracranial surgery, advanced MRI techniques, spinal cord blood flow, lysosomal storage diseases, lower motor neuron diseases, and abiotrophies.

02/16/2026

Splash, an 11-year-old queen, came to us because she seemed off-balance and her pupils weren’t the same size. Subtle changes like this can sometimes be easy to miss — but they can signal something serious.

An MRI revealed that Splash had experienced two ischemic infarcts (strokes) — one affecting part of her brain and another at the top of her spinal cord.

Yes — cats can have strokes.

The most important question after diagnosing a stroke is: Why did it happen?

We’re currently:
🧪 Screening her urine and blood for underlying causes
🫀 Checking her thyroid and heart
💊 Starting anti-platelet therapy
🐾 Beginning physical therapy to support her recovery

Many strokes in cats are linked to underlying conditions like thyroid disease, heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure. Finding and treating the root cause is critical to preventing future events.

Splash is lucky to have a dedicated team (and Makayla — our resident cat whisperer 💛) cheering her on every step of the way.

If your cat ever seems suddenly wobbly, disoriented, or has uneven pupils — don’t wait. Neurologic changes are never “normal aging.”

We’re rooting for you, Splash 💦✨

02/14/2026

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We love your pet’s brain…
And their spinal cord too. 🧠❤️

Happy Valentine’s Day from your favorite neuro team — where every head tilt, wobble, and Chiari warrior has a very special place in our hearts. 💕

02/13/2026

✨ Mopsy Update! ✨

Mopsy came to see us for tetraparesis (weakness in all four limbs), and her MRI revealed a C2-3 disc herniation in her neck. These cervical disc herniations can be painful and scary — especially when they affect a dog’s ability to stand or walk.

She underwent a ventral slot surgery to relieve the spinal cord compression… and we are so happy to report she is doing SO much better! 💪🐶

One more important part of Mopsy’s story — she has Trupanion pet insurance, and boy did it help this sweet girl get the care she needed without delay. Advanced imaging and spinal surgery are life-changing, but they can also be significant financial commitments. Having coverage made a huge difference for her family.

We love seeing our patients get back to wagging, walking, and living their best lives. Way to go, Mopsy! 💕

01/23/2026

💊📑 “So you’re saying… one pill how often?”

Postoperative medications can feel overwhelming — even if you’re not the one on the exam table. Our team takes time to review every medication, schedule, and instruction to make sure pets (and people) go home confident and prepared.

Questions are always welcome — we’re here to help every step of recovery.

01/22/2026

🐾 Physical Rehabilitation After Neurologic Injury or Surgery 🐾

At our hospital, Dr. Levine and Dr. Rushing work closely with pet families to determine when, where, and if physical rehabilitation is appropriate for each individual patient.

While physical rehabilitation is often recommended for pets recovering from spinal surgery or neurologic injury, rest is typically the most important part of recovery during the first few weeks. In some cases, there may be simple, safe exercises that can be done at home, but these should only be started if approved by your neurologist.

Every patient is different, and your neurologist will guide you through the best recovery plan for your pet. 💙

01/20/2026

🎉 Welcome Back, Alexis! 🎉

We are so excited to welcome back our very own Alexis, our hospital administrator, as she returns from maternity leave! Alexis welcomed a beautiful baby girl in November, and we couldn’t be happier for her growing family. 💕

We’ve missed her leadership, organization, and friendly face around the hospital, and we’re thrilled to have her back with us. Join us in giving Alexis a warm welcome back! 👶✨

01/16/2026

🧠✨ What to Expect When Your Pet Has an MRI ✨🧠

When pets have neurological concerns, an MRI can be an incredibly valuable tool. It helps us safely and accurately evaluate the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding structures.

Here’s a brief look at what the process is like at LVN:

🐾 Your Initial Appointment
During your consultation, our neurologists will determine whether your pet’s symptoms are neurological in origin. If an MRI is recommended, we are always able to perform it the same day, especially for urgent cases.

🩺 During the MRI
MRI scans take about 45–90 minutes and require general anesthesia so your pet can remain perfectly still. A dedicated nurse stays with your pet throughout the procedure, and blood work is typically performed beforehand to ensure anesthesia safety. In some cases, additional diagnostics (such as a spinal tap) may be recommended and performed while your pet is still under anesthesia — always discussed with you in advance.

💤 Recovery & Going Home
After the MRI, your pet recovers in a quiet area for 1–3 hours. Many pets go home the same day, while others may stay overnight depending on results and treatment needs.

⭐ Take-Home Points
• MRI requires anesthesia
• Pets must be semi-fasted beforehand
• Many MRIs are done the same day as the consult
• Expect your pet to be with us for 4–8 hours total

If you have questions or concerns, our team is always happy to walk you through the process. 💙

01/14/2026

✨ Today we’re celebrating Brooke's SEVENTH work-a-versary, and honestly… where would we be without her? 💫 As one of our incredible technicians, Brooke is the definition of an all star. She keeps our MRI days running smoothly, manages multiple patients like a pro, and somehow still finds the time to support and train every team member around her. 🧠📊💙

Brooke shows up day in and day out, takes on countless on-call shifts, and gives her all to our patients, clients, and team. Her leadership, reliability, and calm confidence make even the busiest days feel manageable. 🌟

Brooke, your dedication does not go unnoticed. We are beyond grateful for everything you do and so incredibly lucky to have you on our team. 💖

🪄 Happy 7 years, Brooke! 🪄

01/13/2026

💖 Happy 1 year, Olivia! 💖 Today we’re celebrating Olivia 1-year work-a-versary and we could not feel luckier! 💫As our incredible CSR, Olivia somehow manages all the things — juggling phone calls, coordinating tasks, and keeping everything moving smoothly with grace and kindness. 📞✨

But that’s not all… Olivia brings a special kind of magic to our clinic with her artistic talent. 🎨💖 Those beautiful, heartfelt welcome cards our clients love so much? Yep — that’s Olivia! Each one is a little work of art, and they mean the world to us and our clients.

Olivia, your creativity, dedication, and positive energy make our days brighter. 🌈 We are so lucky to have you and can’t wait to see all the magic you continue to create.

01/09/2026

Ever notice neurologic symptoms seem to show up in January? ❄️🧠

You’re not imagining it. Cold weather, less activity, and holiday schedule changes can make underlying neurologic issues more noticeable.

Stiffness, weakness, seizures, or balance problems often become harder to ignore when routines slow down. And that’s okay—January is a good time to get answers.

01/08/2026

🧠 Thursday Education: Why we ask for a small meal before anesthesia

You may notice that before anesthesia, we often ask you to feed about 1/3 of your pet’s normal meal the morning of their procedure.

Why?
➡️ A completely empty stomach can increase the risk of acid reflux during anesthesia.
➡️ A small amount of food helps buffer stomach acid, which can reduce the risk of aspiration and irritation of the esophagus.
➡️ It also helps keep blood sugar more stable—especially in smaller pets.

This approach is carefully chosen to balance safety and comfort while your pet is under anesthesia. If we ever need different instructions for a specific patient, we’ll always let you know.

As always, thank you for trusting us with your pets 💙🐾

01/06/2026

Brains of a neurologist. Heart of a healer. Energy of a certified goofball. 🎉🧠

Today we’re celebrating the founder of LVN, Dr. Levine—lover of Lord of the Rings, all things cars, and the reason so many pets get a second chance. From late nights reviewing MRIs to steady hands in the OR, and endless compassion for pets and the people who love them, we’re grateful for the brilliance, the humor, and the heart he brings every single day.

Comment 🧙‍♂️ if you’ve ever heard a LOTR reference at LVN—or 🏎️ if you know his love for cars!

Address

8460 Cooper Creek Boulevard, Ste 101
Lakewood Ranches, FL
34201

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

(941) 351-1678

Website

https://www.levineneuro.com/

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Our Story

We love what we do. Our satisfaction comes from doing our best to get you the answers and the understanding you deserve. We strive to offer the best medical treatments or provide the meticulous neurosurgical options to meet your family members needs. We promise to partner with your primary veterinarian to provide excellent long term neurological care for your pet.