Neurologic and otologic disorders of geriatric patients.

The geriatric animal is at increased risk to develop a variety of neurologic conditions. The diagnosis of these conditions can be a challenge to veterinary practitioners. Many of these conditions have a breed predilection and specific neurologic findings that can greatly aid in obtaining a diagnosis. Others demand many in-depth tests that require extra care in their selection and performance. Obtaining the correct diagnosis is rewarding in those cases where therapy can be beneficial. However, as in most chronic conditions, the correct diagnosis results in a prognosis that is often poor at best and frustrating to both the owner and veterinarian.