Get to Know Steven De Decker: Insights on Neurology, Teaching, and the Future of Veterinary Medicine

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary?

A: Absolutely! My name is Steven, and I'm originally from Belgium. Even as a student, I knew I wanted to pursue neurology and neurosurgery, so I went straight into the field right after graduation without ever spending time in general practice. To this day, I’m really enjoying what I do.

Q: Reflecting on your career thus far, what achievements or milestones are you most proud of and why?

A: One thing, and it might sound a bit silly, is that when I was a vet student in Belgium, and even after I had just graduated and was doing my internship and PhD, I don’t think I ever would have dreamed of working at a big university like this. What I’ve grown into now is a real passion for teaching neurology to the younger generation of vets, or even to those who aren’t particularly fond of neurology. Hopefully, I can change their perspective a little.

Q: You’ll be hosting two sessions at the London Vet Show. The first one is titled “Is dementia really a 'thing' in our patients? Recognition and management strategies.” Why do you think this topic is particularly important for the veterinary community?

A: I think it’s hugely important, and the reason is that veterinary practitioners see older patients far more often than we do as specialists. By the time we see them, it’s usually in the advanced stages. By the time cases reach us, the disease is usually in its more advanced stages. What’s important to emphasise — and something I’ll highlight throughout the lecture — is that many dogs with cognitive dysfunction respond very well to treatment, but early recognition is key. Unfortunately, the early signs are often mistaken for typical aging, such as a dog becoming grumpier or less active. My goal is to help shift this perception so that practitioners can consider the possibility of dementia earlier and initiate treatment sooner, which significantly improves outcomes.

Raising awareness is also essential, as cognitive dysfunction is much more common than many realise. When an older dog comes in for a consultation, we should be asking proactive questions to assess their cognitive health. I believe we need to be much more intentional about enhancing the quality of life for our geriatric patients. Rather than assuming, “It’s just an old dog,” and scaling back activities like walks, we should be doing the opposite — actively supporting their physical and mental well-being.

Q: Can you give us a brief overview of what your second session will cover – ‘What's the evidence for corticosteroid use in neurological patients’?

A: Historically, corticosteroids and neurology have been closely linked. It used to be that when you saw a neurological case, the immediate response was to give steroids. I followed this approach when I first started practicing neurology, prescribing steroids to many of my patients. However, that mindset has changed significantly over time. It’s now quite rare for us to use steroids in our cases. In my session, I’d like to explore this shift — where the original practice of using steroids so frequently came from, what has changed our perspective, and how we now approach steroid use in neurology today.

Q: Finally, what piece of advice would you like to give to individuals who are at the start of their veterinary career?

A: I think one important thing to remember is that veterinary medicine is a beautiful, though challenging, profession. And while this might sound a bit cliché, don’t forget that this was your dream — the dream of becoming a vet. It can be tough at times, but it's also incredibly rewarding. When you go home at the end of the day, try not to focus solely on how hard it was or on that difficult client or interaction. Instead, reflect on the truly rewarding cases you've handled.