WVC Vegas 2026 Education: Neuro or Not?

Dr. Peters was daydreaming about the leftover Chinese food in the fridge when the technician interrupted him.

“I’ve got your next appointment. Female, 10-week-old Yorkshire terrier. Mom says she’s been acting tired, but also mentioned occasional wobbling and passing out. Do you want me to check a glucose before you go in?”

At the mention of sugar, Dr. Peters had to force his mind away from thoughts of dessert. “I’ll take a look at her first.” He pushed back his chair and proceeded to exam room four.

One puppy, many possibilities

Mrs. Jacobs looked worried as she steadied the two-pound brown and tan puppy on the table. The puppy turned in response to the door opening, her pink hair bow askew, caused by a slight head tilt.

After the usual pleasantries, Dr. Peters asked, “Can we watch her walk?”

Safely on the floor, the puppy tottered with all the grace of a tipsy sailor on the high sea. The technician framed the puppy with open hands, trying to prevent a fall. Moments later, the puppy stilled, stared off, and slowly slumped into the technician’s waiting hands.

No paddling, no convulsing. Just … stillness.

A few seconds passed—just long enough for Dr. Peters to reach the puppy on the floor—when she righted herself and stood up.

What just happened?

“She did this earlier. I thought she was dead,” the client said, obvious panic in her voice.

In that moment, Dr. Peters felt his own kind of panic. That unsettled feeling that came with potential neurologic puppies.

This wasn’t an obvious seizure, but it wasn't nothing, either. Given the puppy’s breed, age, and presentation, the options were many: hypoglycemia, congenital brain abnormality, a heart issue, a shunt, vestibular disease, head trauma, toxin exposure, and probably a handful of other things that weren’t even on his radar.

"Well?" the client asked, looking from Dr. Peters to the technician and back.

Dr. Peters picked up the puppy, who didn’t wiggle or fuss, and held her close.

It looked like those leftovers would have to remain a daydream just a while longer...

Normal but not

The puppy’s physical exam didn’t provide much insight. Her skull shape was normal with no open fontanelle or palpable abnormalities. Auscultation was limited due to her intermittent trembling—and another brief episode of collapse—but no murmur was appreciated. The remaining low-hanging fruit on the differentials list proved equally unhelpful—the puppy’s blood glucose was normal, and baseline lab work didn’t raise any flags.

Dr. Peters regrouped.

He knew idiopathic epilepsy in a dog under 12 months old was rare, and Mrs. Jacobs reported no known toxin exposure or trauma. A portosystemic shunt was still on the table, but was quickly dismissed the following day after normal bile acid test results.

Everything about this puppy was normal—except her episodes. Her owner, who was becoming increasingly skeptical of the continuous tests, was beginning to question Dr. Peters’ competency.

Drawing the line

Exhausted of options and empty of answers, Dr. Peters straightened the puppy’s crooked hair bow one last time, before returning her to her waiting owner. It was time to discuss the need for a referral.

Not because he couldn’t manage it, but because he had already asked the right questions, ruled out what he could, and knew advanced imaging and assessment was the next logical step.

There’s a certain discipline in recognizing when a case has crossed that threshold—when the available diagnostics won’t yield clarity without a deeper toolbox. In general practice, those lines can blur quickly. Was this cerebellar? Hydrocephaly? Something metabolic masquerading as neurologic?

Maybe he couldn’t provide a diagnosis, but he could provide a direction.

The case wasn’t solved, but with a referral in motion and a plan in place, Dr. Peters finally let himself think about lunch.

Next-Level Neuro CE at WVC Vegas 2026

When initial diagnostics don’t give you clear answers, what’s your next move?

Cases like this one are common in general practice—vague neurologic signs, normal lab work, and a LOT of uncertainty. But when the signs are not textbook, and the diagnostics are gray, you’re the first to spot what might be something big.

Knowing how to approach these cases methodically, communicate clearly with clients, and recognize when - where - and how soon — to refer, can make all the difference.

In the WVC 2026 Neurology Track, you’ll walk through real-life scenarios that challenge even experienced clinicians. From identifying subtle signs to step-by-step seizure management, hands-on localization, and referral timing, you’ll gain the knowledge to handle complex neuro cases with more confidence—and less second-guessing.

Even when the answers aren’t clear, your next steps can be!

Be the first to know when WVC Vegas registration opens by signing up for the WVC Vegas 2026 Alert List. You’ll get priority access, plus insider and early pricing info, sent directly to your inbox.