Paul Freeman MA VetMB CertSAO DipECVN MRCVS

EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

Teaching Professor

Principal Clinical Neurologist

Professional history

Paul graduated from Cambridge in 1987 and then spent 6 years in mixed practice in Yorkshire and Suffolk. In 1993 he gained the RCVS certificate in small animal orthopaedics, and went on to develop a referral centre for orthopaedics and neurology in his home county of Essex. Paul gained the European Diploma in Veterinary Neurology in 2014, and in 2016 took up his current post of Principal Clinical Neurologist at the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital in the Department of Veterinary Medicine. The neurology service has grown rapidly over the last few years, and currently employs 4 specialist neurologists as well as 3 residents in training. Despite having a mainly clinical role, Paul manages to combine research and teaching interests with the steadily increasing clinical caseload at QVSH. Paul's main area of interest is the management of canine spinal cord injury and specifically intervertebral disc disease, and he has published widely on this topic in the last few years. Paul now acts as Principle Investigator for the Cambridge Intervertebral Disc Research Group which includes two PhD students studying various aspects of intervertebral disc disease. The work has been generously sponsored by a number of charities including Dachshund Rescue UK, Dachshund Health UK and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

Paul has lectured widely both nationally and internationally, and greatly enjoys the teaching aspect of his current role and involvement with veterinary students and residents, as well as working within an experienced team of specialists. In 2019 he published a textbook of veterinary neurology aimed mainly at students and general practitioners which has proved to be a popular addition to the library of textbooks available.

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Research

Publications

Key publications:

Formoso S, Khan S, Lowrie M, Hughes J, Freeman P. Interobserver agreement of computed tomography in detecting calcified intervertebral discs in comparison with radiography in a population of 13 healthy British Dachshund dogs. First published: 28 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/vro2.59

Halstead S, Jackson M,….. Freeman P et al. (2022). Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a ganglioside IgG antibodies are biomarkers for immune-mediated polyneuropathies in cats

First published: 27 December 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/jns.12529

Dutil GF, Guevar J, … Freeman P et al. (2022). Otitis media and interna with or without polyps in cats: association between meningeal enhancement on postcontrast MRI, cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, and clinician treatment choice and outcome. J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Dec;24(12):e481-e489. doi: 10.1177/1098612X221125573. Epub 2022 Nov 21.

Freeman P, Jeffery N. (2022). Is decompression in acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation overvalued? Front Vet Sci. 2022 Nov 9;9:1049366. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1049366. PMID: 36439357; PMCID: PMC9682007.

Khan S, Freeman P. (2022). HASTE MRI sequence findings correlate with loss of deep pain perception in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion. First published: 27 October 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.974

Lopes B, … Freeman P et al. (2022). Cranial thoracic myelopathies (T1-T6 vertebrae): Retrospective evaluation of the signalment, clinical presentation, and, presumptive or final diagnoses in 84 dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2022 Sep 12;9:960912. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.960912.

Peschard AL, Freeman P, Genain MA. (2022). Follow-up MRI appearance of the surgical site in dogs treated for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation and showing ongoing or recurrent neurological symptoms. First published: 12 August 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13143

Woodington B…. Freeman P et al. (2022). X-Ray Markers for Thin Film Implants. Advanced Healthcare Materials. First published: 23 July 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202200739

Khan S, Freeman P (2022). Bayesian clinical reasoning in the first opinion approach to a dog with suspected thoracolumbar pain. First published: 25 June 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13528H

Craciun I, Khan S, Hughes J, Freeman P (2022). Contrast-Enhanced Low-Field MRI Occasionally Alters the Surgical Approach for Canine Intervertebral Disc Extrusion. DO - 10.1055/s-0042-1748877. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Padley H, Freeman P et al. (2022). Imaging characteristics of thoracolumbar spinal stenosis due to articular process hyperplasia and degenerative joint disease in six large breed dogs First published: 21 February 2022 Vet Rad and Ultrasound.https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13068

Argent V, Perillo R, Jeffery N, Freeman P. (2022). Recurrence of signs consistent with cervical intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13480. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35146745.

Walker PE, Freeman P, Monforte Monteiro SR, et al. (2022). Description of neurological mimics presented to the neurology service of a small animal referral hospital. The Veterinary Record. 2022 Jan:e1268. DOI: 10.1002/vetr.1268. PMID: 34993971.

Mavrides D, Charalambous M, Freeman P.(2021). Long-term follow-up of spinal segmental stabilization for surgical treatment of dorsal hemivertebrae associated with kyphosis in brachycephalic dogs. Can Vet J. 2021 Dec;62(12):1323-1327. PMID: 34857969; PMCID: PMC8591567

Falconer Hall J, Freeman P.(2021). Approach to and Practice of Disc Fenestration in the Management of Intervertebral Disc Extrusions in Dogs: A Questionnaire Survey. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, Aug 2021 DOI 10.1055/s-0041-1731809

Fox K, Fox J, Bexfield N, Freeman P.(2021). Computerised decision support in veterinary medicine, exemplified in a canine idiopathic epilepsy care pathway. J Small Anim Pract. 2021 Oct;62(10):911-917. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13345. Epub 2021 Jun 21. PMID: 34155645.

Longo S, Gomes SA, Briola C, Duffy K, Targett M, Jeffery ND, Freeman P.(2021). Association of magnetic resonance assessed disc degeneration and late clinical recurrence in dogs treated surgically for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions. J Vet Intern Med. 2021 Jan;35(1):378-387.

Halstead S, Gourlay D….Freeman P et al. (2021). Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies are biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. First published: 17 November 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13439

Harris G, Freeman P. (2020). Introduction of Disc Material into the Vertebral Canal by Fenestration of Thoracolumbar Discs Following Decompressive Surgery. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2020 Jan;33(1):66-70.

Hare C, Sanchini L, Worrall C, Van Poucke S, Alves L, Restif O, Freeman P (2019). Rapid in-house method of CSF analysis utilising sedimentation direct from the spinal needle. J Small Anim Pract. 2019 Apr 26.

Jeffery ND, Freeman PM (2018). The Role of Fenestration in Management of Type I Thoracolumbar Disk Degeneration. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2018 Jan;48(1):187-200.

Freeman P, Jeffery ND (2017). Re-opening the window on fenestration as a treatment for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2017 Apr;58(4):199-204.

Monforte Monteiro S, Gallucci A, Rousset N, Freeman PM, Ives E, Gandini G, Granger N, Vanhaesebrouck A. (2016), Medical management of spinal epidural empyema in five dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 249, 10: 1180-1186.

Freeman PM, Holmes MA, Jeffery ND, Granger N. (2013). Time requirement and effect on owners of home-based management of dogs with severe chronic spinal cord injury. J Vet Behavior 2013, 8(6): 439-443.

Paul Freeman MA VetMB CertSAO DipECVN MRCVS