4pups Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) Does anyone have experience with older dogs and General Anesthetics? My old girl (18) is booked in for a dental work next week, she really should have been done a few years ago but we put it off due to fear over the G.A. . She has had an abscess and she was in some pain but the antibiotics and pain killer seem to have relieved it now. I'm just so nervous for her, it's been giving me a few nightmares. Edited September 24, 2007 by 4pups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Age alone isn't a barrier to giving a general anaesthetic, but the changes that come with age are often what complicates the process and increase the risk associated with the procedure. Making the decision to go ahead with a GA can be very difficult for a lot of owners, for a variety of reasons. I can't tell you that everything will be fine, because there are real risks that something untoward may happen. However, your vet should be taking all these risks into consideration when they plan for the procedure, doing everything they can to minimise negative effects. If you're uncomfortable, then discuss it with your vet and find out what they will be doing and why. It's not an easy decision to make, and sometimes there aren't right answers. If you have any questions then you can feel free to PM me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheree_e4 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Provided she is in good health other than her age she should be fine,but in saying that there is a risk of a GA in a dog of any age provided that you trust the vet and the nurses she should be fine. Ask the vet what sort of GA is given if it is ISO it is very safe and the dog will wake a quickly generally within 3 mins of being taken off the gas.she wll still be dopey for a few hours after though especially as she is older. My old girl Marley(pic) had a dental at 18 but then had to be PTS approx 8mths later-not as a result of the GA.She seemed alot happier after getting 3 teeth removed and was on pain killers for a week I must say if the dog was mine I would get the dental especially after seeing the change in Marley she was so much happier more like when she was younger-I guess the fact her teeth wern't hurting anymore helped. RIP Marley PTS 7/9/06 you will always be in our hearts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I think this is one to discuss with your vet- risks vs. benefits. Painful teeth would be awful, though. Certainly with older people, they take 2-3 days to recover from surgery with a GA and can be confused/ disorientated/ paranoid during that time. It's often a mix of GA + strong painkillers. I don't know if this applies to dogs and dental work isn't surgery, but worth asking your vet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4pups Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 I've talked this over extensivly with my vet he feels Ailsa should be fine as apart from her teeth she's in pretty good health. Her teeth really do need done, her breath is awful. I do feel a bit guilty that we didn't get it done a few years ago but it has got a lot worse quite quickly. She has never had a teeth clean and she is after all 18. She's a very spry little dog and is still up for a long walk with the younger ones. My Jack Russell at 15 is a lot slower but he is a boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I have had to operate on a few older critters, I always do geratric bloods first to make sure that they can handle the GA and then make sure they get fluids before during and after the operation and it really does help. Very stressful but you can't leave them in pain and teeth do hurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kymbo Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I always do geratric bloods first Can I just ask what this is and what is involved? My old guy has to have an eye removed soon, and doing bloods has never been mentioned to me, and I am really worried about him as he has a heart murmur as well...The vet has assured me that they use safe anaesthia, but I have no idea what kind it is. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacster Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) I had my 14 year old Sheltie's teeth cleaned last year under GA and we opted to pay the extra to have her blood work checked before she went under... Not sure what it involves so can't really answer your question, however it was peace of mind for us to know she'd be just that much safer to go under. I think it cost us an extra $100 but I can't be sure... ETA - everything went well and she is still healthy and happy Edited September 21, 2007 by Nacster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Not a dog, but my 18 year old small cat has had two successful lump removal surgeries in the last 12 months. Each time she recovered very quickly from the anaesthetic - eating her tea happily that night. My vet routinely recommends pre-anaesthetic blood work (checking particularly kidney and liver function, I think), and IV fluid support for geriatric animals - that included my previous dog at about 13. It costs extra, but IMHO well worth it to trouble shoot, and minimise problems. Any GA carries risk, but you have to think your little one would be much happier if her teeth get fixed. Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Preanaesthetic blood screens assess kidney function (BUN, creatinine), liver function (ALP, ALT), blood glucose, total protein levels in the blood and the PCV (red blood cell levels). Most clinics that offer this have the capacity to do it within their own clinic on demand (with in house lab machines). It only requires a small blood sample (1ml) to be collected from a vein, but gives very valuable information to the vet and allows any modifications to the anaesthesia plan to be made before it goes ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kymbo Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Thankyou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4pups Posted September 24, 2007 Author Share Posted September 24, 2007 Ailsa had her op yesterday all went well - so much stress for nothing She had a few teeth out and a good clean. She was happy and bright when I picked her up, jumped out of the car before I could lift her when we got home, ran inside had a big drink and a can of sardines (her fav). She really is very good for such an old girl - and no more stinky breath . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Glad all went well. She must be so much more comfortable now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Glad to hear that it went well! Must be a big relief for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 So very glad all went well. Must say it seems to me there have been huge strides in geriatric anaesthesia over the years I've been a pet owner - take a bow Rappie and all you wonderful vets outs there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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