Spinal Surgery in Dogs: When to Cut, When to Wait, When to Laser

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and spinal pain are among the most common neurologic conditions encountered in small animal practice, yet determining when to pursue surgery, conservative management, laser-based intervention, or humane euthanasia remains one of the greatest clinical and ethical challenges for veterinarians. This lecture will provide a practical, evidence-based approach to decision-making in canine spinal disease, integrating current literature with real-world surgical experience from a high-volume specialty surgical center. Attendees will review indications, outcomes, complications, and prognostic factors associated with medical management, decompressive spinal surgery, and percutaneous disc laser ablation (PDLA). The session will also explore financial limitations faced by clients and discuss strategies for guiding treatment recommendations when advanced care is not immediately feasible. Through clinical case examples, imaging interpretation, and outcome data, participants will leave with actionable tools to improve patient selection, communication, and neurologic outcomes in dogs with spinal disease.

• -Develop a practical framework to determine when spinal surgery, conservative therapy, PDLA, or euthanasia is most appropriate in dogs with spinal disease.
• -Interpret prognostic indicators, neurologic grading systems, and imaging findings that influence treatment decisions and outcomes.
• -Compare published evidence regarding success rates, complications, recurrence, and recovery timelines for medical versus surgical management of IVDD.
• -Improve client communication strategies surrounding prognosis, financial constraints, quality of life, and long-term management expectations.