A pre-surgical consultation is important to check the health of your pet and to assess surgical risk. We discuss exactly what kind of treatment we recommend and why. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and ensure you understand the procedure your pet is going to have.

Absolutely! We are happy to discuss cases over the phone or by video. If you then come and have an in-person consultation/examination there is no additional charge. These case discussions will help you with decision-making and give you a good idea of costs and logistics. Video consultations are limited in that we cannot physically examine your pet - so cannot make medication recommendations. It is best we see your pet in person to make a definite diagnosis.

You meet our surgeon Your pet has a thorough clinical examination Our surgeon will fully assess the presenting problem, and formulate a plan of care with you (this may not always be surgical) Our surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of various treatments so you can make informed choices Our surgeon will explain what to expect before, during, and after surgery, including any possible complications You can ask any questions you may have in person. We are also always happy to answer any questions that you forget to ask face-to-face via email or phone We dispense any pre-operative medications that your pet needs A physio plan is made, including pre-hab (where possible) and postoperative assessment We give you the package price and let you know everything included

Please bring any medication your pet is currently taking with you to both your consult and surgical appointments.

On the day of surgery, your pet won't have breakfast. Please bring a snack or some treats that your pet loves and we will make sure they are offered once your pet is allowed to eat after surgery. Please also bring something to snuggle with that smells like home - a toy, a blanket, or even an item of clothing. This will help your pet to feel relaxed whilst they are in recovery.

Most of our patients are discharged on the same day of surgery with pain relief and anti-anxiety medication. Some pets require after-hours care at another local clinic and we will discuss that with you if this is needed. Our physio team will usually see you the following day after surgery for the first treatment.

The initial consultation The surgery and anaesthesia Pain management A revisit with our surgeon Four physio sessions Please note that post-operative X-rays or management of any complications are not included in the package price. This is because these are often performed by your own vet.

Our policy requires pre-payment in full at least three days prior to surgery. If your pet is having surgery more quickly than that, then proof of payment, such as a screenshot of the online transaction, is needed.

We accept payment via EFTPOS, internet bank transfer and credit card (plus transaction fee). For assistance, we recommend Vet Care Finance.

Our standard procedure is for you to pay us; and for your insurance company to reimburse you. Please discuss with us if this is not possible.

At Animal Orthopaedics Christchurch, we believe physiotherapy is essential to every patient’s recovery. Physiotherapy treatments accelerate your pet’s return to function, safeguard against future injury and guide your pet through the recovery process.

Yes, we work with physiotherapists around the South Island to ensure your pet can still have post-operative physio. There are four sessions included in your package, and this includes out-of-town physiotherapy if it is with one of our recommended physiotherapy services. The following areas have access to these services: Nelson/Tasman Dunedin/Invercargill Waimate/Oamaru/Timaru Lake Tekapo/Farlie and its surrounds North Canterbury (Culverdon) South Canterbury (Ashburton) We can also offer video consultations with our therapists here in Christchurch.

If you require accommodation in Christchurch whilst your pet has surgery, we are happy to provide a list of pet-friendly accommodation options. Usually, you would come to Christchurch the afternoon before and stay the night after surgery before heading home.

We are in the process of building a surgical theatre at our Ferrymead premises. In the meantime, we are using the Lincoln University theatre.

Definitely! We work as a team with your vet and communicate with them about the procedure. We are always happy to answer their questions or assist in any way we can.

The gold standard treatment that we perform at Animal Orthopaedics Christchurch is called a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). There is a great video on our Cruciate TPLO page that explains all about this surgery, the recovery and the outcomes.

In most cases, your pet will just have a light dressing for two or three days after surgery. Some pets do need a bandage or splint, yet this is uncommon. We will discuss this with you at the consultation.

Your pet needs to be carefully confined after surgery. If they run, slip, or jump, they risk breaking the construct or setting their recovery back significantly. We recommend a crate or a small room with non-slip flooring and nothing they can jump onto. Whenever your pet is not confined, they need to be on a lead - preferably a harness.