Everything Veterinarians Need to Know About IVDD, PLDA, and Canine Spinal Surgery w/ Dr. Danielle Dugat

Send us an inquiry through a text message here! Buy VRT LIVE 2026 tickets here: https://www.axs.com/events/1451690/the-veterinary-roundtable-tickets Welcome to a very special episode of The Veterinary Roundtable! In this episode, we welcome Danielle Dugat, DVM, MS, DACVS to pick her brain about orthopedics and neurosurgery in veterinary medicine while also deeply discussing one of her passions, Percutaneous Laser Disk Ablation (PLDA). This is an episode you DO NOT want to miss! Do you have a question, story, or inquiry for The Veterinary Roundtable? Send us a text or voicemail from the link above, ask us on any social media platform, or email theveterinaryroundtable@gmail.com! Episodes of The Veterinary Roundtable are on all podcast services along with video form on YouTube! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVeterinaryRoundtable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theveterinaryroundtable/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theveterinaryroundtable Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:03 Dr. Danielle Dugat Introduction 06:13 Dr. Dugat's Journey into Veterinary Surgery 08:41 Early Adoption of Laser Disc Ablation 10:06 Understanding Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) 12:56 High-Risk Breeds and Spine Degeneration 17:25 IVDD in Large Breed Dogs 19:00 Preventing IVDD & Lifestyle Factors 24:18 How Percutaneous Laser Disc Ablation (PLDA) Works 27:55 Preventive PLDA & Patient Suitability 34:09 Risks, Recovery, and Strict Confinement Protocols 39:05 Cervical Spine Limitations & Differential Diagnoses 42:05 Financial Costs and Travel Logistics for PLDA 47:18 NSAIDs vs. Steroids & Referral Timelines 57:18 Lightning Round Questions 01:03:19 Outro