Neuroscience and veterinary medicine

: Clinical neurology in veterinary medicine did receive its initial secure basis by Hermann DEXLER in Vienna during late fall of 19th century. He could demonstrate that knowledges in neuroanatomy and -pathology are basis requirements for a reliable interpretation of morbid entities of central and peripheral nervous system. During the following decades a varied development of neurosciences was to be observed in veterinary medicine, comparing different countries. In general, the most important influences--based upon comparative neuromorphology--came from pathologists. Thus, infectious morbid entities, hereditary diseases, malformations, neurodegenerative diseases, neurooncology, and traumatology had become central challenges for neuroscientists. In this context it is no surprise that BSE has brought a tremendous impact on research work in the whole field of human and animal spongiform encephalopathies. Regrettably, the integration of clinical neurology and neuropathology within the teaching programmes of the European veterinary colleges, especially in Germany, has still not reached a satisfactory level. Specific training procedures realized by several schools in USA and UK might serve as sound examples in view of the permanent growing importance of neurological diseases in large and small animal practice.