With many specialist centres now charging well in excess of £7,000 for an MRI and decompressive surgery, the treatment of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) for many clients has become unaffordable. In comparison the cost of a CT scan and specialist decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar or cervical IVDD at Wessex Veterinary Orthopaedics is £4,500 including VAT.
As with all of our surgical procedures we offer a groundbreaking no quibble 12 month surgical guarantee which covers any complications directly relating to the surgery so that there are no additional costs for your client in the event of a complication.
Our price for decompressive spinal surgery includes the following:
- Consultation
- Neurological examination
- General anaesthesia
- Radiographs of the spine (if required)
- CT scans of the spine +/- contrast administration
- Hemilaminectomy or ventral slot
- Hospitalisation for up to 3 days
- All medication for up to 14 days postoperatively
- A follow-up consultation
Unlike many other referral centres that are “specialist-led” all of our surgeries are performed either by a specialist surgeon or by a surgeon who has completed 3 years of residency training.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is by far the commonest cause of spinal pain and hind limb neurological dysfunction in chondrodystrophic dogs.
Cervical IVDD presents as neck pain +/- neurological deficits. Lameness of one forelimb, referred to as “root signature” may been seen in cases where there is irritation of cervical nerve roots by laterally extruded disc material.
Advanced imaging has superseded radiographs and myelography as a means of diagnosis. Computed tomography is an accurate, and in comparison with MRI, much quicker and more economical method of diagnosing acute IVDD in chondrodystrophic dogs.
Decompressive surgery is a very effective method of treatment for dogs and cats with IVDD provided deep pain perception is intact. For patients with thoracolumbar IVDD and loss of deep pain perception approximately two-thirds will recover neurological function following prompt decompressive surgery.
Spinal Fractures and Luxations
With our combined expertise in neurology and spinal surgery and familiarity with the use of orthopaedic implants we are ideally placed to treat these cases.
The prognosis following surgical stabilisation +/- decompressive surgery for patients with deep pain perception is fair to good. The outlook for patients with loss of deep pain perception is unfortunately very poor.
We have an array of implants including locking and non-locking plates and screws and the state-of-the-art Invetra pedicle screw and rod fixation system.
The cost of a CT scan and specialist surgery for spinal fracture or luxation is £6,000 including VAT and as with all of our procedures the price is all-inclusive.
Lumbosacral Disease
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis or cauda equina syndrome is a common degenerative disorder of the lumbosacral articulation that occurs in older cats and dogs, especially large breed dogs.
Clinical signs associated with nerve root compression include hind limb lameness, paresis and caudal lumbar or lumbosacral pain on palpation. Extension of the hip joints is usually resented and the condition is easily confused with osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia which may be concurrent.
Milder cases may respond well to conservative management but more chronic and severe cases benefit from surgical decompression and/or stabilisation. For lumbosacral spinal stabilisation we use the Invetra pedicle screw and rod fixation system, which is a more effective and safer alternative to the use of plates and screws or bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) combined with pins. Once a diagnosis has been achieved the cost of surgical stabilisation +/- dorsal laminectomy is £5,000 including VAT.
