Focus on real-life stories of pets and animals where imaging saved the day, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnostics. Dive into different technologies like nuclear scintigraphy, MRIs, and CT scans for various animals. Each episode offers insights into the world of veterinary imaging, sharing stories, breakthroughs, and advancements in imaging techniques.
The Neurologist In Your Back Pocket: Practical Support for General Practitioners With Dr. Jennifer Rich
Boarded veterinary neurologist Dr. Jennifer Rich returns to Diagnostic Tails for round three, and this time she's making the case for general practitioners to take on more neurologic workups than they think they can. Hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays walk through real cases with her — idiopathic epilepsy, old dog vestibular disease, FCE, disc rupture, and a heartworm that ended up somewhere it had no business being — to map out exactly when a GP can manage a neuro case solo, when a phone call to a specialist is enough, and when a patient needs to go straight to a traditional referral center. Dr. Rich also breaks down how to read MRI and spinal tap results in context and why "just image everything" isn't the answer.
Audio Timestamps
00:00 - Reaching out to colleagues for help outside your specialty
00:29 - Welcome to Diagnostic Tails, Animal Imaging's podcast
00:58 - Meet your hosts, Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays
01:22 - Welcoming back Dr. Jennifer Rich for episode three
02:39 - Today's theme: bringing the neurologist to the general practitioner
03:18 - Rethinking what GPs are capable of handling in-house
04:54 - When a patient needs traditional hospitalization vs. when they can stay with their primary vet
08:56 - Case 1: the idiopathic epilepsy patient just outside the typical age range
11:26 - The traditional referral pathway - and why the wait can cost time
12:58 - Neurolocalizing before you image: ruling out reactive causes first
13:55 - Why a "whole body MRI" isn't the right approach
16:12 - Reading results: how a radiologist and a neurologist look at the same MRI differently
16:57 - When the MRI comes back normal - and what to check next
20:04 - Steroids: when to start, when to hold off, and when urgency changes the call
21:31 - Case correction: white cell count in the vestibular/otitis case
22:06 - Case 2: the "old dog vestibular" that turned out to be inflammatory brain disease
24:37 - Case 3: waxing-and-waning vestibular signs that pointed to a brain tumor
25:00 - Vascular disease in the brain: cerebrovascular accidents and ischemic strokes
26:12 - Paradoxical vestibular signs, explained
27:43 - Managing idiopathic vestibular cases with supportive care
28:45 - Spinal strokes: what FCE (fibrocartilaginous embolism) actually is
30:08 - Disc disease and the neurologic grading scale that guides treatment
33:29 - Building a decision framework: refer out or manage in-house?
35:17 - The 48-hour rule for loss of deep pain - still holds
36:18 - Old dog vestibular: when lack of improvement means it's time to image
42:41 - Case 4: the Chihuahua with neck pain - and a heartworm in the spinal cord
45:06 - A horse case: ear ticks mimicking neurologic disease
45:49 - Wrap-up and where to find Dr. Rich
Guest
Dr. Jennifer Rich, boarded veterinary neurologist based in Dallas, Texas, with over 10 years in practice and ongoing locum work across other states. Her consulting service is built around phone- and video-based case support for general practitioners working up neurologic patients. Find her at www.virtualvetneurology.com. (www.virtualvetneurology.com.)
Animal Imaging Veterinary Radiology Specialists
https://animalimaging.net/ (https://animalimaging.net/)
(972) 869-2180
info@animalimaging.net (mailto:info@animalimaging.net)
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnimalImaging/ (https://www.facebook.com/AnimalImaging/)
Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/company/animalimaging (https://www.linkedin.com/company/animalimaging)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/animalimaging/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/animalimaging/?hl=en)
26 Aug 2026
Thriving Not Surviving: The Mentor Effect With Dr. Cairncross
Hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays interview Dr. Amanda Cairncross about how mentorship helps veterinarians overcome imposter syndrome and burnout for sustainable careers.
29 Jul 2026
Seizing the Diagnosis: CSF Clues and Brain Views with Dr. Rich
Hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays interview veterinary neurologist Dr. Jennifer Rich about how MRI and CSF analysis combine to diagnose complex canine neurologic diseases.
Who has been a guest on Diagnostic Tails
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Amanda Cairncross
Dr Jennifer Rich
Bryce Morgan
Mia
Amy Armentrout
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
362 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
31
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
67
Contact Diagnostic Tails
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Diagnostic Tails
Who hosts Diagnostic Tails?
Dr Amy Armentrout and Dr Lon Hays host the show. Published by Animal Imaging.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Diagnostic Tails take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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