Specialist Consultations for Dogs & Cats

What Is This Procedure?

A consultation is the starting point for most referral cases. We allow a full hour for the initial appointment so there is time to take a thorough history, perform a complete clinical and orthopaedic examination, review any imaging or notes from the referring practice, and discuss the findings and options with the owner.

The types of consultation we offer are:

Initial consultation (1 hour) — full assessment of a new referral case, including examination, review of prior notes and imaging, and discussion of the next steps.
Follow-up consultation (30 minutes) — progress review, recheck examination and updates to the treatment plan.
Lameness work-up with X-rays — consultation combined with sedation and orthopaedic radiography to investigate persistent or unresolved lameness.
Lameness work-up with CT scan — consultation combined with cross-sectional imaging where complex or subtle disease is suspected.
Re-examination with sedation and recheck X-rays — structured post-operative or follow-up review with imaging.

Every consultation concludes with a clear written plan shared with the owner and the referring vet.

When Is It Recommended?

A consultation is appropriate any time a case would benefit from specialist input. Common reasons include:

Persistent or unexplained lameness in a dog or cat
Suspected orthopaedic or medical disease where a referring vet wants specialist confirmation
Second opinion on a previously diagnosed condition or proposed treatment plan
Pre-operative assessment for a planned procedure
Post-operative recheck and progress review

If you are unsure whether referral is the right next step, we are happy to discuss the case before booking.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of a consultation, you can expect:

A clear working diagnosis or shortlist of differentials
A practical recommended next step — whether that is treatment, further imaging, surgery or onward referral
An itemised written plan shared with the owner and the referring practice
Time to ask questions and discuss prognosis, costs and realistic expectations

Recovery Timeline

Clear recovery guidance so you know what to expect at every stage.

0 – 2 WEEKS

Initial Recovery

Restricted activity and rest. Pain management and wound care. Short lead walks for toileting only. Your pet will have a follow-up check at 2 weeks for suture removal.

2 – 6 WEEKS

Controlled Recovery

Gradually increasing lead walks. Continued restricted activity at home. Physiotherapy exercises as advised by our team to support healing and muscle rebuilding.

6 – 8 WEEKS

Follow-Up Assessment

Follow-up imaging to check bone healing. Gradual increase in exercise duration and intensity based on progress. Most dogs show significant improvement by this stage.

10 – 12 WEEKS

Return to Normal Activity

Return to controlled normal activity, case dependent. Off-lead exercise can usually be gradually reintroduced. Full recovery is typically achieved within 3–4 months.

Giving you the INformation you Need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about this procedure.

Will I be given a written cost estimate?

Yes. After the consultation we provide a clear written estimate covering the recommended next steps. If anything changes during treatment, we discuss it with you before proceeding.

How long does a consultation take?

Most first consultations last around 45–60 minutes. We take time to examine your pet thoroughly, review any imaging, and discuss every option in plain language with you.

Do I need a referral from my own vet?

Yes — AVS is a specialist referral practice, so your own vet arranges the referral and shares your pet's history with us. We then contact you directly to book a convenient appointment.

Consultations

What Is This Procedure?

When Is It Recommended?

Expected Outcomes

Other Services

Ready to Refer?