Current Position

Veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon for IVC Evidensia in the Netherlands and Sweden

Education and Experience

Niklas Bergknut graduated from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala in 2000 and spent the first years of his career working as a small animal clinician in Sweden and the UK. In 2007, he began a joint PhD project between Sweden and the Netherlands, focusing on intervertebral disc degeneration in dogs. After completing his PhD in 2010, he continued at Utrecht University, where he also completed his European College of Veterinary Neurology (ECVN) residency and later worked as a lecturer until 2016.
Following two years at North Downs Specialist Referrals in the UK, Niklas returned to the Netherlands in 2018 to develop and lead the Neurology and Neurosurgery department for IVC Evidensia. He is currently based in the Netherlands but continues to work regularly in Sweden.
Niklas has a special interest in spinal disease and neurosurgery and is passionate about teaching and sharing the wonders of veterinary neurology. He is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and has contributed to numerous scientific publications and book chapters. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors with his dogs.

Teaching Experience

– Extensive teaching experience in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery at undergraduate, internship, residency, and specialist levels
– Former lecturer and clinical instructor at Utrecht University, involved in both student teaching and clinical supervision
– Assistant Professor (part-time) at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, responsible for neurology education and student training
– Founder and supervisor of ECVN residency and rotating internship programs within IVC Evidensia, mentoring multiple residents and interns
– Supervisor and co-supervisor of numerous PhD, research, and undergraduate projects, many leading to scientific publications
– Regular speaker at international veterinary congresses and advanced training courses, with a strong focus on practical and surgical education
– Organiser and lecturer of post-academic training courses and continuing education programs around the world including, ESAVS, Improve CPD, CSAVS, Vetami and of course for IVC Evidensia.

Research

Author/co-author of 50+ peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in leading journals including Veterinary Journal and Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Contributor to major reference works, including chapters in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice (NAVC) and Veterinary Surgery
Internationally recognised for work on intervertebral disc degeneration, establishing the dog as a translational model for human spinal disease
Contributor to widely used MRI and histological grading systems for canine spinal disease
Current research focus on canine brain tumours, advanced neuroimaging, and augmented reality (AR)–guided neurosurgery,