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Originally Posted by gemy  Definitely state your facts and the research that supports those facts. I probably agree that the risk given new procedures and alternative meds being available in general dogs do okay under anaesthesia. How-ever I have not yet seen a specific study that elaborates if "senior" dogs are at a much higher risk and how much higher the risk is for different scenearios.
Well Linda there are many breeds for example sighthounds that are at high risk from any anaesthesia. Anaesthesia risk overall needs to be assessed against the breed of dog, and for certain the age of the dog, and of course the complicating health factors of a particular dog.
A fully informed disclosure, would state the "reasons" why this dog needs a dental, the risks of this surgery for this dog, and a justification as to why the benefits outweigh the risks. That is a fully disclosed consent to treat in my opinion. |
My concern was the blanket statement. Blanket statements feed into fear mongering is all I am saying. Certainly there are some animals that are at a higher risk than others. But, again, even with a senior pup, I will opt for a dental under anesthesia rather than let him/her become ill from the bacteria. That is my personal choice...I recently did that with my senior, George, who has a collapsing trachea. I took him to a specialist and he was under for three hours and did just fine. I was willing to take the risk with him because his teeth were awful and that would lead to other problems especially his lungs and he does not need that with his trachea. Now, if a senior is really in bad shape, no, I won't do that. I know my vet would not recommend it either...she has advised me not to do dentals on some in the past OR advised me to go to a specialist.
My vet always weighs everything and does give full disclosure. I assume that most do....again there are always bad vets just like there are bad doctors for humans. Bad breeders, bad rescuers... but everyone is not bad.
http://www.aahanet.org/publicdocumen...s_and_cats.pdf