Preop Bloodwork

[Ellie May]

Who gets it done and who doesn't? Do you do bile acid testing if it is their first surgery?

[LuvMyPrinceKobi]

of course! I think it is a very very wise thing to do. and it's always worth it to me!

[Bizzymammabee]

That is a good test to run so you have a piece of mind. My vets won't do any surgery without it.

I haven't done the bile acid test on Lulu as yet. She is a small girl and they doctor never was keen on the idea of having her fast like that and end up with a hypoglycemic episode.

[Ellie May]

I agree. Ellie isn't allowed to have surgery without it. I just wanted everyone's thoughts.

You know you could just do the postprandial with Lulu. Of course it is best to do both but the most important is to get the reading after a meal. Maybe just have her fast her normal time (overnight), feed her and draw blood two hours later. Diggy4 had Diggy's tested somehow that way (just fasting 7 or 8 hours) because of hypoglycemia.

[Patti]

I always do the blood work and I have now started yearly bloodwork just to keep an eye in their health.

[diggy4]

I got preop for Bella and nothing elevated so no bile acid.

Diggy has had Bile acid as he was symptomatic as a baby but turns out it was just hypo

[xztheericzx]

i'm eric. joining a couple boards and looking
forward to participating. hehe unless i get
too distracted!

eric

[wemple2]

Yep, wouldn't have it any other way...pre-op testing that is. The bile-acid test was done later, Winston has hypoglycemia too.

[HanginOut]

Originally Posted by Patti

I always do the blood work and I have now started yearly bloodwork just to keep an eye in their health.

What is included in the blood panel? I called my vet today about neutering and teeth removal and asked if they do blood panel before surgery. I was told that is not their normal procedure. I asked for an appointment to have the double teeth looked at as well as a blood panel done (prior to scheduling the actual surgery). I would like to be armed with knowledge before I meet with the vet next week. I am already planning to ask him several questions….what type of anesthesia does he use, how much will he give my baby?, how does he know how much to give…..will he use a trachea?, give any pain meds?, etc. If I am unsatisfied with any of the vet’s answers….I may travel 4 hrs to take him to his breeder’s vet. Don’t get me wrong, I really like my vet, but am just concerned because my baby is extra small and I just don’t want anything to happen him. Now having said all of that, what kind of knowledge can you wonderful folks give me that will prepare me to be able to really “interview” my vet?

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it!

[Ellie May]

If that vet is unwilling to do bloodwork I would go somewhere else. A lot of vets wouldn't have it any other way (especially after age 6-7). It is important to see how the organs are functioning prior to surgery.

Dogs are intubated to keep the airway open. This is done when gas anesthesia is given (isoflourine or sevoflourine). They will most likely have to give preop sedatives so they can intubate (unless they mask down with iso or sevo). There is lots of info online about what ones are safe. How do they monitor your dog during surgery? Do they heat the surgery table?

[HanginOut]

Ok. Great info. I have already been searching the internet. I know my vet previously told me he would put him to sleep with a mask on his face but when I was talking to his breeder she threw out same particular anesthesia brand names that are better than others. Geez, sometimes things were so much easier when I didn't have any knowledge...lol
thanks again for all the info.

[Ellie May]

hahahahaha...I was talking to someone about this not too long ago. It was so much easier when I was ignorant and trusted every word the vet said.

Your dog should be maintained on Isoflourine or Sevoflourine. If not, run. These are the safest. If the vet does mask down with gas, that is great. Some won't and they insist on injecting something before hand. If they use an injectable, NO barbiturates. They can be dangerous. I believe Propofol is a barbiturate and this would be the exception to not using them because it is very safe. Ellie has been put under both ways. Using no injectables is better on the liver and Ellie has problems with that, so the vet masked down the second time.

Yorkies lose body heat easily. The surgery table must be heated.
Pain med should be given (some vets don't give it ).
Ellie was not sent home with antibiotics. It isn't necessary but is a good idea.
Does the vet use staples or stitches to close? You can read my post under "Emergencies" to see how I feel about staples.
Do they keep the dog overnight? If so, is there someone there the WHOLE time watching?

I know it can be so stressful when our doggies go in for surgery, so I hope this helps you.

[Yorkieluv]

Dogs don't always need pain meds. Miko's liver can't handle pain meds like other dogs, and he almost died once because of pain meds. The last 2 surgeries that he has had, he has not taken any pain meds, and he has recovered well.

[GinosMommy]

i just had Gino's done today, before his neuter. Everything came back normal

[yorkiecrazy]

I always have my vet do the pre-op blood work and I also have yearly blood work done just to keep an eye on their health.
Thanks for all the great information