Juanjo, fondly known as JJ to many, is a talented neurologist who joined the team at Pride Veterinary Referrals in 2017. During this time, JJ has exercised his passion for spinal cord stabilisation and neuro- surgical oncology. Since being appointed Head of Service in April 2024, we caught up with JJ who talks more about his new role, the neurology team and future plans for the department.
Juanjo graduated from The Complutense Veterinary Faculty, Madrid in 1995 and followed this with extensive small animal work throughout Spain. He completed a Residency in Veterinary Neurology in 2013, joining the team at Pride Veterinary Referrals in February 2017. Juanjo’s areas of clinical interest are epilepsy and neurosurgery, particularly those relating to neuro- oncology surgery (intracranial or spinal) as well as vertebral column stabilisation techniques.
Juanjo spends his free time with his family and friends, as well as his little Dachshund’s Slinky and Darcey, and his African Grey Parrot, Lucas.
He dedicates his remaining free time to his passion for sport aviation. Juanjo gained his Private Pilot Licence in 2006 and has been an active flyer since.
Congratulations on your new position as Head of Service – Neurology, have you settled into your new role?
Stepping into my new role felt like a natural and seamless transition, as I was already deeply committed to supporting the team's growth and development. I am fortunate to have two outstanding neurologists, Christoforos Posporis and Patricia Alvarez, within the team. Both are capable of assuming the role of Head of Service, given our close collaboration and shared commitment to teamwork. My primary focus continues to be the success of the department, with an emphasis on encouraging the adoption of innovative surgical techniques and creating formal training opportunities. These initiatives aim to benefit not only our residents but also those from other surgical specialties too.
In addition, I am passionate about fostering a strong research culture within the neurology department. By collaborating closely with other departments across the hospital, I aim to develop a multidisciplinary research team. This will enable us to explore cutting-edge advancements, share insights across specialties, and ensure our clinical practices remain at the forefront of veterinary medicine.
How do you foster a collaborative and supportive team environment?
Teamwork is more than just a practice—it’s a culture, a way of life, and a shared commitment among all team members. Each of us plays a part in fostering a positive and supportive culture within our working environment. It can often begin with one person igniting this mindset within a service, which then influences other services, ultimately uniting the entire team under the same philosophy.
Neurology cases can often be complex and challenging, do you have any advice for first opinion vets?
Keep it simple. Knowing the basics is the first step in any neurologist’s career. Once you master the basics, you soon realise that neurology is easier than people think. We also want to remind our first opinion colleagues that we offer an advice service here at Pride Veterinary Referrals. This is a completely free service to use and can be done so by either calling us directly (in the event of an emergency) or putting through an advice request in the same way you would put through a routine referral request online or via email. That way, we can help you manage certain cases without the need for a referral.
Your biggest achievement to date?
I’ve faced many challenging goals in my career, but perhaps the most significant has been becoming Head of Service at Pride Veterinary Referrals. Moving abroad to join the team at Pride Veterinary Referrals was already a major decision, both professionally and personally. My initial goal was to complete my credentials and qualify to sit the ECVN Diploma exam. However, after passing the exam, an even greater challenge arose when my line manager proposed that I take on the role of Head of Neurology and Neurosurgery.
This position comes with great responsibility, but it is incredibly fulfilling to give back by investing in others, just as my mentors once invested in me. Watching young neurologists grow and develop to the point where they no longer need your guidance is a uniquely rewarding experience.
How do you like to unwind after a busy day at work?
I could mention my hobbies, such as flying, playing the drums, and building model planes, but these are activities I usually enjoy during my time off. In reality, after a long and demanding day, I often unwind by heading home, sharing dinner with my family, and relaxing together with a movie or a series. Occasionally, I also make time for a swim at the gym after work, especially if I’ve missed my morning swimming session.
Is there a memorable case that particularly stands out?
Yes, we all have a memorable case that stands out for various reasons. One that truly tested the limits of my skills involved a vertebral tumour (osteosarcoma). After diagnosing the condition, we had an in-depth discussion about the case and meticulously planned the surgery. We successfully removed the entire vertebra without damaging the spinal cord, replacing the bone with a custom-designed titanium implant. Since the tumour was in its early stages, this aggressive procedure aimed for a potential cure—an outcome rarely associated with osteosarcomas.
This case exemplified a multidisciplinary approach, with collaboration between neurologists, surgeons, =anaesthetists, oncologists, physiotherapists, clinicians, and nurses all working together to achieve the best possible outcome.
Are there any new notable advancements in neurology?
I believe the most significant advancements in our field have occurred over the last two decades, beginning with the introduction of advanced imaging technologies in our hospitals. This revolutionised our approach to medicine, enabling more accurate diagnoses and the development of new techniques. Today, the focus is increasingly on artificial intelligence, which we are integrating into our practices to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions.
One notable example is neuronavigational surgery. Although still a costly tool, it is steadily gaining traction in our field. Gene therapy and regenerative treatments have also seen remarkable growth over the past decade. Lastly, while not frequently used in our service, 3D-printed guides represent another significant advancement. These guides provide invaluable support for neurosurgical procedures, particularly for less common surgeries where neurosurgeons may lack routine familiarity.
What are your future plans for the neurology department?
Our goal over the coming years is to establish the Pride Veterinary Referrals neurology team as one of the leading referral neurology teams in the country. To achieve this, we are focusing on expanding our caseload, particularly in specialised surgeries such as brain biopsies and brain tumour removals. In addition to clinical work, we are dedicated to strengthening our role as a research group, ensuring that our efforts contribute to the advancement of veterinary science and benefit the wider community.
A third key objective is the development of a comprehensive surgical training program for residents. This program will provide systematic training for our own residents, surgery residents, and those from other referral centres, fostering a solid foundation in advanced neurology and neurosurgery. We believe that sharing our findings, experiences, and expertise to foster the growth of other clinicians is fundamental to our team's philosophy. This spirit of collaboration is, in our view, a vital component for achieving success.
For further information on our neurology and neurosurgery services at Pride Veterinary Referrals, please visit prideveterinaryreferrals.com/en-gb/referrals/disciplines/neurology-neurosurgery.
Should you require advice on a particular case, or you wish to refer a patient, please get in touch via telephone 01332 548911, email referrals@prideveterinarycentre.co.uk or refer online.