IVDD surgery cost depends on many factors. First, let’s talk a little bit about what intervertebral disc disease in dogs is. IVDD, also known as a slipped, bulging, ruptured, or herniated disc, occurs when the once shock-absorbing discs between vertebrae (bones of the back or neck) deteriorate and cause pressure on the spinal cord. Spinal cord compression causes symptoms ranging from mild pain to permanent paralysis.
When an affected dog doesn’t respond to medical treatment, has recurrent episodes, or is showing severe symptoms (such as inability to walk), surgical intervention is necessary. The goal of IVDD surgery for dogs is to relieve spinal cord compression by removing the disc material that is pressing on the spinal cord. Surgery is largely successful in the hands of a trained veterinary neurologist.
The prognosis of IVDD surgery depends on the severity of the symptoms and the timeliness of the intervention. There is about a 95% chance of success in dogs that still have feeling in their toes, but this drops to around 50% once a dog has lost feeling. This is why it is critical to take action as soon as possible. Without timely treatment, IVDD can cause permanent damage.
As mentioned, IVDD surgery cost depends on many things. Here are some considerations for pet parents to be able to compare “apples to apples.”
Generally, bigger dogs are more expensive than smaller dogs for just about everything.
Sometimes when a hospital quotes the IVDD surgery cost, they are not providing the “all in” cost. They may only quote the cost of surgery and not the additional items that are needed to perform that surgery, such as:
A quote from Southeast Veterinary Neurology, on the other hand, will be sure to include everything so that there are no surprises.
MRI is the gold standard. At Southeast Veterinary Neurology, we use this tool almost exclusively. Simply put, it is much better than CT, myelography, or X-ray at diagnosing intervertebral disc disease and other diseases that can mimic IVDD.
However, MRI is also more expensive. Most neurologists today perform MRI, but some veterinarians still don’t. General surgeons and general practice veterinarians that perform spinal surgery are less likely to have access to MRI and instead perform CT, myelography, or plain X-rays. This is an important distinction and should be asked of your attending veterinarian.
In general, places with a higher cost of living tend to be more expensive than places where the cost of living is lower. At the same time, these places also tend to attract top talent.
Many times, intervertebral disc disease is a surgical emergency. Any time a dog is suddenly unable to walk, tests and surgery should be performed as soon as possible. There are situations where IVDD surgery will be performed in the middle of the night. This understandably adds to the cost.
However, the benefit of doing surgery immediately outweighs the cost. As mentioned, timely treatment can mean the difference between recovery and permanent damage, and that’s why Southeast Veterinary Neurology is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Neurologists have specialized training in neurosurgery. Prior to completing a residency at Southeast Veterinary Neurology, our residents perform hundreds of surgeries. Our board-certified neurologists have performed thousands of surgeries.
Experience and expertise give neurologists the best judgement on when, where, how, and why to do surgery – and when, where, how, and why not to. This gives your dog the best chance of recovery.
At Southeast Veterinary Neurology, the cost of IVDD surgery for dogs includes the:
Our “all in” IVDD surgery cost can range from $10,000-$15,000 depending on the size, circumstances, and needs of the individual patient.
We realize that cost is a big factor when considering surgery for your dog. However, spinal surgery is not really something you should “bargain shop” for. It is imperative that surgery is performed both expeditiously and expertly. At Southeast Veterinary Neurology, all of our neurologists are highly trained in neurosurgery, including spinal surgery, and we have performed thousands of successful spinal surgeries on patients from all over the globe.
However, we will only recommend surgery if we think it is the best choice for your dog, and only after presenting you with all of your options. It can be scary to learn that your dog needs surgery, but you can rest assured knowing that we perform spinal surgeries every single day. If your dog needs spinal surgery, we are confident that there are no better hands to care for your best friend than at Southeast Veterinary Neurology.
For more information about IVDD surgery cost, or if your dog is experiencing neurological problems, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Southeast Veterinary Neurology today. We have locations in Miami, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Virginia Beach all staffed with professionals who are dedicated to helping your pet live a long, quality life with you.