Pre-op dogs

[Four Cofffee]

Now this is going to disappoint a few given the thread title as it really is about pre-op dogs.


My vet has my dog booked in for a very minor procedure under general anaethstic and the paper work is suggesting a set of 'pre-op blood tests' be carried out for liver problems, hydration status, creatine, Bun/Urea, Glucose and one for AKLP. They are optional and there is a cost involved (as always). As my dog is young (4, in good health and the anaesthetic is to simply to clean her batch teeth without the vet being bitten , so none invasive, I was thinking of asking for them not to do these pre-op tests.

Good/bad move?

[Jgtv]

unless they cost a fortune, and you cant afford them its better to have them rather than risk complications with Fido, no?

I would just do them.

[C C]

Personally I've only paid for the bloodwork for older dogs - 7 years or older, just to check they have no underlying issues. There should be no need for a younger dog. Vet will give dog thorough check up beforehand anyway, the extra cost is just for bloodtests to check for any underlying conditions. Had my bulldog pup neutered last week, paperwork mentioned optional bloodwork but my vet (who I trust completely) didn't recommend it as didn't feel it was needed for my healthy young dog. When my 10 year old boxer needed surgery a few years ago I paid the £20 no hesitation. Your choice really, I guess it will give a little extra reassurance if you are worried about the op - especially if this is the first time they have been under anaesthetic.

[thinfourth2]

We use some seaweed based additive to their food which seems to keep their teeth clean

plaque-off

[TheTardis]

thinfourth2 said:

We use some seaweed based additive to their food which seems to keep their teeth clean

plaque-off

I too use a normal hair brush to keep our rabbit clean.

[Four Cofffee]

We have tried all the dentisticks stuff, which worked with the older dog but the younger one isn't interested and fights if you try and touch her face (as the vet found out yesterday).

£20 sounds very reasonable and given her history (almost starved to death) I think it would be worth doing, perhaps just for the liver function test.

On arrival;



After;

Edited by Four Cofffee on Wednesday 5th August 08:18

[deviant]

I would just do it. £20 is hardly going to smash the bank account and while the dog is in and asleep it seems sensible to take some blood.

[bazking69]

We have the same problem with our dog. He won't let anyone anywhere near his teeth with a brush and plaque is building up.
We have tried all the sticks and biscuits but these will only keep any further build up at bay and not sort the old build up.
The vet has suggested that at some point he will have to go under to have them cleaned, but not for a couple of years yet (he is only 30 months)

[becksW]

Well we generally advise it for dogs and cats over 7 years. However the vets aren't wrong offering it at any age. No anaesthetic is 'routine' this is often forgotten.

We had a cat in the other day for 'routine' dental work. Non eventful anaesthetic and initially good recovery however an hour later all was not right as the cat was tilting to the left slightly after a call to an expert (plus lots of examining) it was felt the cat had had a mild embolism, totally impossible to foresee but it happened. Luckily he has had a full recovery and all's well but episodes like this remind us that we should never be casual about anaesthetics and for that matter dental work.

So in answer to your question a few extra quid to check the health parameters of your pet is not wrong and useful for the future as it can be a benchmark should your pet get ill in the future.

[Four Cofffee]

deviant said:

I would just do it. £20 is hardly going to smash the bank account and while the dog is in and asleep it seems sensible to take some blood.

Just called them; £37.75p