Luigi’s spinal surgery journey with Petcover

When playful black Moodle (Maltese x Poodle) pup Luigi entered Stephanie’s life in January 2021, she never anticipated the emotional journey ahead. Luigi’s joyful spirit filled every room. Until one afternoon in November 2024, when a fun day of backyard play turned into a medical emergency.

With veterinary care and the support of Petcover, this is a story of healing, hope, and the vital role of pet insurance.

A sudden turn: The onset of Luigi’s symptom

It was a typical spring afternoon when Luigi, full of energy, began chasing a ball. Moments later, Stephanie noticed something was off. Luigi had suddenly stopped moving and was struggling to walk. His usual confident stride was replaced with an unsteady, “wonky” gait. Alarmed, she rushed him to the Animal Emergency Centre in Mount Waverley.

The emergency team couldn’t pinpoint the cause but referred Luigi back to his regular vet for further investigation. The following day, his condition worsened. Luigi became more withdrawn, showed signs of pain when being handled, and refused to walk altogether. Stephanie immediately booked him in with his trusted vet, who, recognising the severity, referred them to the specialist team at VRH. There, a neurologist suspected Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a condition that can cause severe pain and even paralysis in dogs.

The diagnostic journey

At VRH, Luigi underwent a series of neurological tests and imaging to confirm the initial suspicions. The neurologist noted significant ataxia, uncoordinated movements, and back pain consistent with spinal cord compression.

An MRI scan confirmed the diagnosis: Luigi was indeed suffering from IVDD, and the compression on his spinal cord was severe enough to require urgent surgical intervention. Despite the worry, Stephanie felt reassured knowing Luigi was in capable hands. Thanks to her Petcover policy, she could focus on making the best decisions for his health and not worrying about the financial burden.

Surgery and post-operative care

Just days after his diagnosis, Luigi was booked for spinal decompression surgery, specifically, a hemilaminectomy. Thankfully the surgery was a success, and Luigi remained under close observation at VRH for several days Three days later he was discharged with a detailed post-operative care plan that included physiotherapy, pain management, and plenty of rest.

Petcover’s role in Luigi’s journey

For Stephanie, having pet insurance wasn’t just a checkbox on a to-do list, it was a lifeline during one of the most stressful times in her and Luigi’s life. But thanks to her dog insurance policy, she was able to proceed with Luigi’s treatment immediately, without hesitation.

“The claiming process has always been so easy with Petcover,” Stephanie shared. “They’ve never questioned any of my claims, big or small. I really felt they had our backs.”

She was especially grateful for the flexibility Petcover offered. The policy allowed her to use her preferred vets, covered Luigi’s physiotherapy sessions, and reimbursed a significant portion of the surgical costs.

In a time of uncertainty, Petcover delivered peace of mind. Something no pet parent can put a price on.

Final thoughts from Stephanie

Looking back, Stephanie speaks with quiet confidence about her experience. When a pet faces something as serious as surgery, having the right support makes all the difference.

“They’ve never questioned any of my claims and I’ve made a few over the years for all my dogs,” she shared.

She described the process as “easy and efficient” and appreciated that it was “transparent and honest.”

She remains dedicated to Luigi’s care and continues to insure her dogs with Petcover. When asked if she would recommend Petcover to others, Stephanie responded:

“Yes already has because of the different levels of cover available and knowing physio can also be looked at being covered. With other insurers they sometimes will only cover things if you go to their chosen vets but with Petcover, you can go to your chosen vet and the cover is ongoing too.”