dammit Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Hi I was just wondering what everyone's take is about optional IV Fluids and blood tests when your dogs are getting anaesthetic - 2 of our dogs are going to go in to the vet for some dental work (thorough scale and polish, one dog needs 2 small teeth out, other one 'may' need a big tooth extracted), there is the option to have a pre anaesthetic blood test/profile - $90 ea per dog, and there is the option for IV Fluid Therapy for $80 ea per dog, so an extra $170 per dog, if we wanted. Dogs are 4/5 yr old dogs, generally healthy, both had been desexed back when they were 6 mth olds, is it necessary to get these options? I'm thinking not to get them, obviously if during the surgery there were any issues they would do whatever/incur whatever costs needed to ensure their safety...but the vet was saying some people like to get these things done as a precaution and because they are small dogs (7kg and 13kg) it is something to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss B Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 In 4/5 year old, otherwise healthy dogs; personally I wouldn't bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I wouldn't bother .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 My dog appeared to be healthy. She was just a fussy eater. However it turned out that she has a serious liver condition and the chances were very high that she would have died if she had gone under a general anesthetic. From now on I will always get the bloods done on my dogs. If nothing else it is a good health check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I had my pup (5mths) put on fluids for canine extraction- there is no guarantee that extractions will be quick. And I have recently had a 4yr old bitch desexed and had fluids and a pre anaesthetic blood test done. In my mind it also gave a 'normal' reading for her regarding her bloods, so in the future there is something to compare them too if she gets sick. So I looked at it as an investment. They are not required, but they are 'best practice' which is why your vet offered them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Agree with JulesP and Jumabaar, not necessary but good for peace of mind, general check and so you know what is normal for future reference. Unless you'be had bloods done recently in which case i definitely wouldn't bother. But I'm all for peace of mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 This is what I really hate about 'some' optional extras. I would rather my vet do what my dog needs. If she's under for a long time and is dry with a crappy BP then give her fluids. If everything is going to plan and the surgery is quick, her obs stable and her recovery good, then don't give her fluids, I don't know why I should have to decide before she goes in. Blood tests I can understand but the fluid one gets me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I have pre-op bloods done if they haven't recently had a base line done. Worth the cost for the piece of mind and things have been found before in one of ours that was supposedly young and healthy. IV fluids always sign for them too. They are options up to you to choose what you think your dog requires after discussion with your vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Are You Serious Jo Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 If you can afford the bloods get them done but really if your dog is healthy fluids aren't necessary. $80 is a lot for what you get and yes, I do know what is involved with a fluid kit and how much it costs them. Some surgeries operate as a business and there is a nice mark up on some things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrm88 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) The main anaesthetic used (isoflurane) has the potential to lower blood pressure, some animals bp will drop, over 30minutes of hypotension can cause damage to organs/tissues due to lowered blood/oxygen supply. I would rather have my pet on iv fluids so any drop can be managed quickly. Yes, we can put animals on fluids during surgery if required but this isn't preferable as we have to often clip more fur off (in a sterile environment) and if the bp has dropped it could take longer to get a catheter in the vein, or the veins may be so crappy that it may take quite a while to even get a catheter to thread into a vein. Even if we have a catheter in already so its essy to hook up to fluids, Pets definitely benefit having been on fluids for a couple hours prior to their surgery. It's alot easier/quicker if all of this is done before. I also think many animals recover quicker/better if on iv fluids. It's been discussed here many times that not all people can afford best practice medicine, which is often why vets will make it an option. Alot of the time they would rather an animal get desexed/dental/lump removal sx rather than nothing so they make it as affordable as possible. If you can afford it, best medicine is to get pre op bloods and iv fluids Edited January 6, 2012 by jrm88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 If you can afford the bloods get them done but really if your dog is healthy fluids aren't necessary. $80 is a lot for what you get and yes, I do know what is involved with a fluid kit and how much it costs them. Some surgeries operate as a business and there is a nice mark up on some things. Shouldn't all surgeries operate as a business? Except the Not for Profit ones??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Are You Serious Jo Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I meant as a get the owners to cough as much as you can even if the animal doesn't need it type business. Sorry, I should have been clearer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 If you can afford it, best medicine is to get pre op bloods and iv fluids Totally agree with jrm88... IF you can afford it, do what is best for the animal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 If you can afford the bloods get them done but really if your dog is healthy fluids aren't necessary. $80 is a lot for what you get and yes, I do know what is involved with a fluid kit and how much it costs them. Some surgeries operate as a business and there is a nice mark up on some things. I have already commented that I always opt for IV fluids as I think it safer but I have to say our vet charges considerably less than the cost quoted - $80 does seem a lot given the cost of a bag of fluids and the giving set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I recently had similar dental work done on my 5kg dog. I was quoted a price including IV fluids, pain relief and pre-op blood test. It was not presented as an "option" and I was quite happy to go along with that as I considered these things were in the dog's best interest and comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC4ME Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I'm going to put my flame suit on her but here goes.... I get sick and tired of reading where people only feed raw, barf, holistic foods etc, or do chiropractic, physio or hydrotherapy, spend money on fancy bedding or flashy collar and leads, toys etc all for the betterment of their dogs. People seem to do whatever they can to make their pets more comfortable or look after their well being better these days and I have no problem with these things..... But when it comes to doing pre-operative bloods and fluid therapy during surgery which would make it an easier for your pet, the vets and nurses whom you are entrusting the life of your pet to, by knowing how their organs which are processing the anaesthetics are working, having an easier and quicker wake up for your pet. People often say, "oh she'll be right she doesn't need it". How do you know your pet doesn't need it? Everytime you or your pets go under an anaesthetic there are risks so why not minimise them by doing all you can. Your doctor would not let you nor would you want to have surgery without these things so why if you do everything else for your pet would you not want what is best for your pets during surgery? Next time you buy something that you think your dog "needs" think about putting that money aside for your dogs next surgery instead. It could save his/her life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrm88 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 BC4ME, I think I love you :p I am much happier doing an anaesthetic on an animal who has had bloods/fluids than doing it without. Bloods have often indicated for us to rethink whether the animal should have a different induction anesthetic or method, or we have even put off doing surgery as it wasn't in the animals best interests at the time. Admittedly most of these are older patients (5+) but also definitely happens in young patients too. One case in particular, we did pre op bloods have fluids, bloods were all normal. Did a Spey on 6 mnth kitten, bp was great, had a great anesthetic. Recovered well, went home. Kitten came back next day vomiting, lethegic, incredibly unwell. Redid bloodwork, kitten was in acute renal failure! Only cause we could pinpoint was the routine pain relief injection that was given can cause kidney issues very rarely. Anyway my point being, if we had not done bloods/fluids, kitties kidneys may not have recovered (fluids are great for supporting the kidneys, she was on fluids pre and post op until she went home) and we wouldn't have had the baseline bloodwork to work off. There are so many situations where an animal would have had a problem picked up/treated/managed alot quicker if best medicine was practiced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) Not all humans get bloods and fluids in theatre. Fluids more then bloods actually. I work in a post op surgical ward and live with and anaesthetic nurse. So it's not all do unto your animals as you would do unto yourselves. But I see where your goodwill is. Edit: spelling the damn word anaesthitic I probably still have it wrong lol Edited January 6, 2012 by donatella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I always have bloods done, and fluids. I don't care what it costs. As has been mentioned, it is a lot easier to already have the catheter set up, dog on fluids, than to have to do it all in case of an emergency. Why would you even take the risk? Fluids also help them recover quicker, and as others said the bloods are a good base line and health check to keep in case you need to compare later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 If you're that worried about bloods you should be getting them done routinely and not just before your dog needs surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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