Baileys mum Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 My 10yo female Aussie Terrier Jessie, is at the vets today to get 4 infected teeth removed & also to get her teeth cleaned as well. Due to her age I also paid the extra, to get the pre anaesthetic blood test done, to make sure she has no other health problems. The vet just rang up 20 minutes ago ( OH spoke to him, not me ) & told him that Jessie had been given the test, & that her health is fine except her potassium levels are up a bit & also her liver count is at 104 ( apparantly normal is anything between 10 to 100 ) The vet told my OH that these levels could be a little high due to the teeth infection & nothing really to be worried about. So he told my hubby that he assures us that it is safe to do the procedure, & my hubby has given the go ahead. I can't help but feel worried about her now, because of the high liver count. Am I worrying for nothing? Is 104 usually considered very high? Please I need some assurance, as I don't really much about this & It's now doing my head in, that something horrible is going to happen to my little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I know how you're feeling about Jessie. I once had a small 19 yr old dog that had to be put under anaesthesia to have a couple of teeth removed & the rest cleaned. She came thro' fine & lived nearly another 3 yrs. That liver count is still only a tiny bit above the normal limit, so I wouldn't worry too much about. From my experience, I'd ask the vet about after-care for Jessie when she comes home....like any need for pain relief or antibiotics. Also ask about dietary needs of an older dog. With our 19 yr old dog, a uni vet told us that the older dog needed less protein in their diet to go easy on the liver. I don't know if that could apply to Jessie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovebug Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 poor old thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I think you have to trust your vet. Also I don't think you have much choice but to go ahead with the op. Jessie is probably already in pain from the teeth and the infection can play havoc with her health. I won't say not to worry because you will but best wishes for everything going well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 I know how you're feeling about Jessie. I once had a small 19 yr old dog that had to be put under anaesthesia to have a couple of teeth removed & the rest cleaned. She came thro' fine & lived nearly another 3 yrs.That liver count is still only a tiny bit above the normal limit, so I wouldn't worry too much about. From my experience, I'd ask the vet about after-care for Jessie when she comes home....like any need for pain relief or antibiotics. Also ask about dietary needs of an older dog. With our 19 yr old dog, a uni vet told us that the older dog needed less protein in their diet to go easy on the liver. I don't know if that could apply to Jessie. Wow! thats incredible mita to have a dog live to 22years. Thanks for your reassurance, I know I am probably worried for nothing,but when I heard that the test wasn't exactly perfect, I kind of freaked out a bit. I also know if I didn't get the procedure done she probably wouldn't live for much longer anyway & she would be in a lot of pain. I will definatly speak to the vet about dietry changes for her liver. Thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I kind of freaked out a bit. I also know if I didn't get the procedure done she probably wouldn't live for much longer anyway & she would be in a lot of pain. I will definatly speak to the vet about dietry changes for her liver. Thanks for the advice I was a jibbering idiot with our 19 yr old. But the vet-dentist told me he had just done the dental work on the tigers at Dreamworld, so our littlie was a piece of cake. And he'd be taking great care with the anaesthetic. In hindsight, I'd have been better off asking about after-care (any pain relief, need for antibiotics). Best wishes for Jessie, she'll do fine. And I bet you notice a difference in her general health & comfort when the infected teeth are gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Good luck with your little girl. Sounds as though your vet is being thorough and keeping you informed. Love a good vet! The increase in liver levels in very minor and can be easily monitored now you are aware of it and prepared to investigate ways to help protect function. Potassium increase (hyperkalemia) is commonly caused by a reduction in kidney function which blood tests appear to have ruled out, or... infection! Is your girl on fluids for the procedure? It can help recovery and protection of the kidney and liver function after a procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 Hi guys, the vet just rang us up, & jessie came through op ok & just woke up about half an hour ago. :D They flushed her with fluids to help her recover more quickly. They told us they also removed a very deeply embedded grass seed from her ear.She has been having trouble with her ear for some time now, & had been getting treatment for an ear infection, so the vet thought he would examine it more thouroughly during the procedure, & that's when he found the grass seed. He thinks it must have been in there for a long time, it was in her ear that deep. Poor thing she must have been in so much pain with her teeth & her ear. I'm sure we are going to have a much happier dog, now that these problems have been rectified, & her breath is going to smell much fresher too The vet says we can pick her up at 5 0'clock, I can't wait to see her, I've been missing her so much, even if its only been for the day, even Bailey has been moping around all day,I think he misses her too. I will also be asking the vet for pain relief, & if she needs antibiotics, & also about her liver & pottasssium counts aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 That's wonderful news about Jessie. I'm very impressed how thorough your vet is.....finding the embedded grass seed & giving her fluids. Just the kind of vet who'd be ready & able to answer your questions about ongoing care. Jessie will be feeling so much better from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 Thanks Mita, I'm very impressed & also relieved, we have been using this vet for 9 years now & they have never let us down, they even saved Jessie's life when she was 3, when she came down with a very rare gastro disease. I'm glad I have got a good vet as I'm going to need one when I start breeding my beloved Aussies. Well I better go & collect my little girl now. Thanks everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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