I have had low cost scans from Geoff that were for diagnosis and he made very clear that they are VERY basic -- this is what I had done for my first two 5 years ago. He also made clear that a diagnostic 'mini' scan is not the same as a scan for actual ongoing care. It is a minimal scan giving minimal information and with a short consultation and actual treatment, especially if surgery is to be considered, would require a full scan. So if one wants a proper diagnostic scan with a full commitment to care, then a full scan is really what is needed.
I have great respect for Geoff Skerritt and the team at Chestergates have been very kind and generous with me through two different scanning sessions but I am sure he would be the first to state that a mini scan for diagnosis is not the same as scanning for care. I discussed the option of surgery last time I was there (a year ago) and it was quite clear that for more involved diagnosis ad care, we'd be talking about a full scan and workup. So t really depends on what people want for themselves and their dog. I would say for some, a mini scan and mini consult is better than nothing if a full scan is too prohibitive. I did very much value the information I received but in no way would I have considered it a full consult and there is NO aftercare or ongoing advice -- you'd need to make separate arrangements so in that sense it is not at all like a full consult/full scan where the client is given a full detailed CD of scan images that can be used by other practices and where the neurologist will work with one's local vet to adjust meds etc. Such a scan might especially be useful to continue tracking development in a dog already diagnosed, too. But someone may well find that they end up paying for a full scan anyway after a mini diagnostic scan and that they really do not get the big picture f support and engagement that one definitely gets with a full consult. I also am not sure that Chestergates offers these mini diagnostic scans as a matter of course -- this may simply have been a kind gesture for a friend of an existing client.
I have great respect for Geoff Skerritt and the team at Chestergates have been very kind and generous with me through two different scanning sessions but I am sure he would be the first to state that a mini scan for diagnosis is not the same as scanning for care. I discussed the option of surgery last time I was there (a year ago) and it was quite clear that for more involved diagnosis ad care, we'd be talking about a full scan and workup. So t really depends on what people want for themselves and their dog. I would say for some, a mini scan and mini consult is better than nothing if a full scan is too prohibitive. I did very much value the information I received but in no way would I have considered it a full consult and there is NO aftercare or ongoing advice -- you'd need to make separate arrangements so in that sense it is not at all like a full consult/full scan where the client is given a full detailed CD of scan images that can be used by other practices and where the neurologist will work with one's local vet to adjust meds etc. Such a scan might especially be useful to continue tracking development in a dog already diagnosed, too. But someone may well find that they end up paying for a full scan anyway after a mini diagnostic scan and that they really do not get the big picture f support and engagement that one definitely gets with a full consult. I also am not sure that Chestergates offers these mini diagnostic scans as a matter of course -- this may simply have been a kind gesture for a friend of an existing client.