From August 10th, Lort Smith is expanding our surgical capabilities to support families with pets in need of advanced veterinary care.
Led by specialist surgeon Dr Ben Mielke, our new specialist services enable us to care for more complex cases in-house, providing families with continuity of care within a hospital they already trust. It’s another step in our commitment to providing quality vet care for everyone.
It also deepens the support we provide to referring veterinarians with patients who need advanced surgical care.
Meet Dr Ben Mielke, Head of Surgery
Dr Ben Mielke is a European Board‑Certified Specialist Surgeon with extensive experience managing complex referral cases across soft tissue, orthopaedics, trauma, and minimally invasive surgery.
His background includes:
- Residency and Specialist training at the Royal Veterinary College (UK)
- Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery at the Royal Veterinary College
- Head Subject Examiner for the Australian College of Veterinary Surgeons Surgical Fellowship
- Advanced expertise in complex trauma, fracture management, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, minimally invasive surgery and brachycephalic airway surgery
- A strong passion for education, mentorship, and clinical development
Specialist services available from Aug 10th
These procedures address conditions that affect breathing, swallowing, and the structures of the head and neck. This includes airway challenges in flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs; nasal tumours; advanced ear surgery for chronic ear disease; complex facial surgery; or treatment for laryngeal paralysis.
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
- Nasal Tumours
- Total Ear Canal Ablation
- Maxillofacial Surgery
- Laryngeal Paralysis
Neurosurgery supports pets with conditions affecting the spine and nervous system. This includes slipped or ruptured discs, which are common in Dachshunds and other long‑backed breeds; instability of the upper neck or nerve compression in the lower back.
- Decompressive surgery for Intervertebral Disc Disease; hemilaminectomy, ventral slot, foraminotomy
- Spinal stabilisation; Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis, Atlantoaxial Instability, vertebral fracture
- Epidural steroid administration
Musculoskeletal surgery treats conditions affecting bones, joints, and ligaments in pets. This includes routine orthopaedic procedures and advanced cruciate ligament surgery (TPLO), commonly needed in active breeds like Kelpies, Border Collies, and Labradors. We also treat elbow and hip dysplasia, often seen in large breeds such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds and manage sporting or activity‑related injuries in working and athletic dogs.
- Orthopaedics and rehabilitation
- Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO)
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Hip Dysplasia
- Sporting Injuries
Traumatology focuses on treating pets with significant injuries. This includes repairing broken bones and reconstructing damaged soft tissues after accidents or emergencies.
- Fractures
- Soft tissue reconstruction
While routine surgeries are handled by general practitioners, complex congenital issues, tumours, or severe obstructions are often referred to a veterinary specialist. Specialists utilise advanced imaging (ultrasound, contrast radiography) and surgical techniques to maximise success rates and lower complication risks.
- Cystotomy (bladder stone removal)
- Urethrostomy (creating a new urinary opening)
- Ureteric obstruction (subcutaneous ureteral bypass)
- Ectopic ureter repair for incontinence
How to access specialist services for your pet
- Contact our team on 03 9328 3021 to arrange a specialist consultation for your pet
- Be referred internally by one of our Lort Smith veterinarians
- Be referred externally by your primary veterinarian
If you’re unsure which option is right for your pet, our team can help.
For referring veterinarians
To refer your patients for specialist services at Lort Smith, please submit their details via our online referral form here.
You can also email us directly at surgery@lortsmith.com for:
- Patient referrals
- Advice enquiries
- Free interpretation of radiographs
- Free clinical advice for complex or uncertain cases
CPD evenings with Dr Ben Mielke
Veterinary professionals are invited to join regular, free CPD sessions hosted by Dr Ben Mielke, who will share practical surgical insights and decision‑making tools for complex cases.
Our first session is now open for registration: Exploratory laparotomy: Confidence and decision‑making in abdominal surgery.
Date: Wednesday 19 August, 2026
Time: 7:00pm
Specialist service fees
| Standard | Health Care/Pension Card | |
| Consultations & Hospitalisation | ||
| Consultation – Surgical Specialist (30 mins) | $195.00 | $165.75 |
| Orthopaedics | ||
| TPLO/CBLO/CCWO: 1-50kg | $5,400 | $4,590 |
| TPLO/CBLO/CCWO plus patella luxation correction | $6,600 | $5,610 |
| Patella Luxation – Unilateral | $4,500 | $3,825 |
| Patella Luxation – Bilateral | $7,800 | $6,630 |
| Fracture Repair – Simple-Moderate | $4,800 | $4,080 |
| Fracture Repair – Complex | $8,100 | $6,885 |
| Arthrodesis – Any Joint | $6,200 | $5,270 |
| Femoral Head Ostectomy | $4,000 | $3,400 |
| Mandibulectomy No CT | $4,500 | $3,825 |
| Mandibulectomy CT (2 Region) | $5,500 | $4,675 |
| Maxillectomy No CT | $5,200 | $4,420 |
| Maxillectomy + CT (2 region) | $6,200 | $5,270 |
| Soft Tissue | ||
| Mass removal – simple No CT | $3,800 | $3,230 |
| Mass removal – simple + CT (2 region) | $4,800 | $4,080 |
| Mass removal – complex (axial pattern flap, pouch, free graft) No CT | $5,200 | $4,420 |
| Mass removal – complex (axial pattern flap, pouch, free graft) + CT (2 region) | $6,200 | $5,270 |
| Splenectomy No CT | $5,000 | $4,250 |
| Splenectomy + CT (2 region) | $6,000 | $5,100 |
| Liver Lobectomy or Adrenalectomy No CT | $6,000 | $5,100 |
| Liver Lobectomy or Adrenalectomy + CT (2 Region) | $7,000 | $5,950 |
| GDV | $5,500 | $4,675 |
| Thoracotomy | $6,500 | $5,525 |
| Enterotomy/enterectomy | $4,500 | $3,825 |
| Perineal Hernia | $4,500 | $3,825 |
| Perineal Hernia Bilateral | $6,500 | $5,525 |
| Anal sacculectomy unilateral | $3,000 | $2,550 |
| Anal sacculectomy bilateral | $4,000 | $3,400 |
| Screw Tail Amputation | $4,000 | $3,400 |
| Limb Amputation | $5,000 | $4,250 |
| Cholecystectomy | $5,500 | $4,675 |
| Perineal Urethrostomy | $4,200 | $3,570 |
| Vulvoplasty | $3,200 | $2,720 |
| Cysotomy | $3,800 | $3,230 |
| Ectopic Ureter – Unilateral | $5,000 | $4,250 |
| Ectopic Ureter – Bilateral | $5,800 | $4,930 |
| Minimally Invasive | ||
| Lap Liver Biopsy | $3,300 | $2,805 |
| Lap Gastropexy or Desexing | $3,800 | $3,230 |
| Lap Bladder Stone Removal | $3,200 | $2,720 |
| Neuro | ||
| Ventral slot (includes CT) | $6,600 | $5,610 |
| Hemilaminectomy (includes CT) | $6,600 | $5,610 |
| Spinal Fusion Wobbler TL or L | $8,000 | $6,800 |
| Spinal fracture (includes CT) | $8,000 | $6,800 |
| BOAS (folded flap palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, alaplasty) alone | $3,500 | $2,975 |
| TECA LBO – Unilateral (no CT) | $5,200 | $4,420 |
| TECA LBO – Unilateral (+ CT) | $4,600 | $3,910 |
| TECA LBO – Bilateral | $6,800 | $5,780 |
| Tieback | $4,600 | $3,910 |
| Salivary Sialoceole (no CT) | $4,200 | $4,185 |
| Salivary Sialoceole (+ CT) | $5,200 | $4,420 |
Please note: All procedures require an initial specialist consultation. If you proceed with surgery, the consultation fee will be deducted from the total cost. We aim to keep our procedure pricing as accurate and up to date as possible, however final costs may vary depending on your pet’s individual needs.