Brain Tumours

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells within the skull — either arising from the brain tissue itself, the membranes around it, or spreading from elsewhere in the body. These growths can press on surrounding structures, disrupt normal signalling, or alter the environment in which the brain works. Owners often arrive at this question after noticing changes that seem to come from the head: seizures that begin in an older animal, shifts in behaviour or personality, changes in balance or coordination, or patterns that suggest something affecting how the brain interprets or sends information. The signs can be subtle at first, or they can appear more suddenly, and they tend to reflect which part of the brain is involved. This page explores what these changes can look like when they first appear, the mechanisms by which tumours affect the brain, how the picture is built through imaging and other investigations, and the range of approaches — from monitoring to surgery, radiotherapy, and supportive care — that exist depending on the tumour, its location, and the individual animal.