Karen Kline: Veterinary Neurologist, Educator, and Leader in Specialty Care
Karen Kline is a name many pet owners encounter during some of the most stressful moments in their animal’s life—when seizures begin, mobility suddenly changes, or unexplained neurological symptoms appear. Dr. Karen L. Kline, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), is a board-certified veterinary neurologist whose career spans specialty hospitals, academic teaching, and national leadership roles within the veterinary profession. Her work focuses on helping animals with complex nervous system disorders while also shaping how veterinarians are trained and supported.
Who Is Dr. Karen L. Kline?
Dr. Karen L. Kline is a veterinary neurologist, a specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles in animals. She holds the credential DACVIM (Neurology), which signifies board certification through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine—a designation earned only after extensive postgraduate training and rigorous examination.
She practices in the Pacific Northwest at VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists and maintains strong academic ties to Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. What sets her apart is not only her clinical expertise, but also her long-standing commitment to education, mentorship, and leadership within the veterinary community.
Education, Residency, and Board Certification
Dr. Kline’s professional path reflects the traditional but demanding route of veterinary specialization. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University in 1989. After graduating, she completed a rotating internship followed by a neurology residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, one of the most respected veterinary specialty hospitals in the country.
In 1994, she became board-certified in veterinary neurology. This certification indicates advanced mastery of neurological disease, diagnostics, and treatment beyond the general practice level. For pet owners, this credential matters because it ensures their animal is being evaluated by someone with deep, focused expertise in nervous system disorders.
Clinical Career in Specialty Veterinary Practice
A significant portion of Dr. Kline’s career has been dedicated to specialty referral hospitals, where complex and urgent cases are commonly seen. From 2008 to 2019, she served as a neurologist at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle. During that time, she also took on leadership responsibilities, serving as medical director from 2013 through 2018.
In 2019, she joined VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists, where she continues to practice neurology. In addition to her clinical duties, she served as medical director from 2019 to 2024, overseeing hospital operations, clinical standards, and team leadership. These roles reflect a level of trust placed in her not only as a clinician, but also as a decision-maker guiding the direction of specialty care delivery.
Academic and Teaching Roles
Dr. Kline’s career is not confined to the clinic. She has a strong academic background and has spent many years teaching future veterinarians and specialists. From 1995 to 2008, she was an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
During her academic tenure, she also earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary pathology. Her graduate research focused on differentiating inflammatory and infectious diseases in dogs using immunohistochemical techniques—work that directly informs neurological diagnostics, where disease processes can appear similar but require very different treatments.
Today, she is listed as an associate professor of neurology in connection with Washington State University’s veterinary teaching hospital and is often described as holding a hybrid role that combines clinical practice with academic teaching. This blend allows her to remain hands-on with patients while contributing to veterinary education.
Areas of Focus in Veterinary Neurology
Veterinary neurology addresses disorders of the nervous system, which can affect an animal’s movement, behavior, balance, and overall quality of life. Common reasons pets are referred to a neurologist include seizures, chronic or acute back pain, difficulty walking, paralysis, head tilt, and sudden loss of coordination.
Dr. Kline’s work involves carefully localizing neurological problems through physical examination and then developing a diagnostic plan. This may include advanced imaging such as MRI or CT scans, spinal fluid analysis, and targeted laboratory testing. Neurologists must often distinguish between conditions that look similar on the surface but have very different causes, prognoses, and treatments.
Her academic background in pathology supports this diagnostic precision, reinforcing a methodical, evidence-based approach to care.
Research, Publications, and Continuing Education
Beyond direct patient care, Dr. Kline has contributed to the veterinary field through scholarly work and professional education. She has authored or contributed to veterinary journal articles and textbooks and has spoken at conferences and continuing education events.
These activities are important because they extend her impact beyond individual cases. By teaching other veterinarians how to recognize, diagnose, and manage neurological conditions, she helps raise the overall standard of care available to animals across a wider region.
Leadership and Professional Service
One of the most visible aspects of Dr. Kline’s professional influence is her leadership within organized veterinary medicine. In 2024, she assumed the role of Board President of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), serving a term through 2025 after six years on the organization’s board.
The NAVC plays a major role in veterinary continuing education, professional collaboration, and industry development. Leadership at this level reflects not only expertise, but also a commitment to advancing the profession as a whole. Decisions made by organizations like the NAVC influence how veterinarians learn, connect, and improve patient care.
Where Dr. Karen Kline Practices and How Referrals Work
Dr. Kline is currently associated with VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists, a referral hospital that works closely with primary care veterinarians. She also appears in academic listings connected to Washington State University’s veterinary teaching hospital.
Most pet owners encounter her through a referral process. Typically, a primary veterinarian identifies neurological signs that require advanced evaluation and refers the pet to a specialist. The neurologist then performs a detailed examination, reviews medical history, and recommends diagnostic and treatment options. Communication between the specialist and the referring veterinarian is a key part of this process, ensuring continuity of care.
Featured Image Source: navc
