Degenerative disc disease is a very common problem. In small animals it can be a very serious illness indeed, leading to total paralysis. Severe sudden collapse caused by disc disease is a surgical emergency. Treatment must be prompt and surgery after 48 hours from the onset of symptoms adversley affects the prognosis. With the access to the MRI the localisation fo disc material has become much more accurate and the surgery subsequently more specific. We offer a full emergency service to our referring veterinary surgeons in cases of emergency, such as an acute disc extrusion.