Dog cruciate ligament surgery - use big referral centre?

[Prancerpoos]

I think my (large) 4 year old dog is going to need cruciate surgery. My local vet is suggesting having the op done by a vet who specialises in that and comes to the local practice to carry out the surgery. I do not know if it would be better to do that v travelling to a big centre like Fitzpatrick or Anderson Moore? The referral centres are about an hour away from me v 15 minutes for the local vet, but obviously I want to make sure I get the best possible treatment so I am not sure that that will make much difference.

Any thoughts, please?

 

[Parrotperson]

If the vet coming to your local practice is an expert then I’d op for that. Less stress for your dog. Obviously do due diligence first. Good luck.

 

[MurphysMinder]

As long as visiting vet is an ortho specialist I would go with that option. You will need a few follow up visits so quite a lot of travelling if you use the hospital.

 

[Jenko109]

I wouldnt write off the local vet providing they are a specialist.

I used VetFix who travelled to my local vets some years ago, rather than going to the vet hospital and was super impressed.

 

[Umbongo]

If the visiting vet is an actual orthopaedic specialist then I would not discount it.
Another thing to consider is does your practice have the appropriate support staff, experienced nurses and proper equipment/drugs required? I worked somewhere that had a visiting specialist surgeon. All of our nurses were fully trained for the surgeries and aftercare. But I know that some practices may not be if they don't do those sorts of surgeries very often.
If your dog needs to stay overnight do your vets have staff on site or would he be by himself? Cost is another factor too, as it will probably be more expensive at a big referral hospital.
Depends on how "large" your dog is too. The referral hospitals will be a bit more set up for large recumbent dogs such as extra support staff, lifting equipment, orthopaedic beds etc.

 

[pistolpete]

Hope your dog recovers well after as long as vet suitably qualified should be fine. My non ortho vet did my dogs years ago and did a great job. Things have moved on a lot.

 

[Prancerpoos]

Thank you everyone, plenty to. think about there. My vet is going to get the ortho vet to contact me so I can find out more, but apparently he has been visiting my vet for 3 years or so and done many TPLO ops, with good outcomes.

 

[Jenko109]

Thank you everyone, plenty to. think about there. My vet is going to get the ortho vet to contact me so I can find out more, but apparently he has been visiting my vet for 3 years or so and done many TPLO ops, with good outcomes.

Do you know who it is?

 

[Prancerpoos]

@Jenko109 I have PMd you

 

[Jenko109]

Was just intrigued if it was my vet as he covers that area I believe, but it isnt.

 

[MurphysMinder]

The ortho specialist who did my little dogs surgery (not cruciate) now visits practices in north west , although he was working in a referral hospital when he did mine .

 

[splashgirl45]

My vet is very good and gets referrals for cruciate surgery sent to him so I assume he must be an expert , he did my small dogs surgery and all was fine

 

[Prancerpoos]

Ahh! Sounds like travelling vets is quite normal. Anyway, the op is happening on Wednesday, so I am busy buying a ramp and a bed for me to sleep on the floor with her etc etc. Pet dog is lying on the sofa all groggy after the anaesthetic for her diagnostic x rays. She will need to make the most of that as no sofa time for a long while after next week.