Isoflorane Gas
 

Our boys were scheduled to be neutered today as well as have some of their baby teeth pulled. I went early to have a talk with the vet to make sure they were using the right anesthesia. So, last night to get ready I had my list of names of ones NOT to use and found really that only Isoflorane is the "drug" of choice.

So the poor boys went 12 hours w/o food and water and I get out to the vet and they tell me that they have the Isoflorane hook-up but don't use it... :mad:

Then they tell me that they use halothane - and this is one of those anesthesias on my list of NOT to use. So, by this time I am pretty uneasy.

Now, mind you about one year ago we had a 4 lb yorkie (girl) who went to this same vet to be spayed and we had absolutlely no problem. We were stupid back then and we were not well informed at all about what was safe and what wasn't.

So, being that we have used this vet for at least 10-yrs and never had a problem with our previous experience - do you think I did the right thing. I mean I am not second guessing - I just think that for an elective surgery I really didn't want to take the risk of having to tell my children that their babies didn't wake up becuase they used the wrong medicine.

So, I am going to call around now and see who, if anyone in our small town, uses Isoflorane.

Thanks for listening to me ramble.

It's good that you are checking around with other vets. You'd never forgive yourself if you gave your vet the go-ahead to use the non-preferred anesthesia, and something tragic happened.

I think you made the right decision. Your babies health is always first and foremost. You should pat yourself on the back for being a good mama.

Agreed. It's always worth it to check around a little bit. I'm sure your vet understands that it's nothing personal. :thumbup:

I think you did absolutely the right thing!!!!

Good girl, you did the right thing. It's not like you HAD to have this done in an emergency. It's elective like you said so you can "shop" around and make sure that your babies will be fine and safe. I'm going to ask from now on too, years ago you never thought to question the vet :eek: ...

thanks for kind words.
My boys were quite happy to come home :rolleyes:

I know the receptionist at the vet thought I was a nut and I am sure they were talking about me when I left - but I have too much time, money, and love invested into these little guys to have something happen to them.

You've done the right thing. ;) Although I don't know the person or the reason for it, my breeder told me someone from Kansas City came down and got one of Kacee's siblings and told her their previous little yorkie had died during the operation to be spayed. I can only guess that it was probably the anesthesia.

I am so glad you did your research and prevetned a possible tragedy. Keep us poted on what you find out. What were the reasons your vet gave for using what he uses?

I didn't stay long enough to talk to the vet.
I went in early and he wasn't in yet so I talked with his assistant. She told me they don't use the Isoflorane becuase it is too expensive.

She said they give them a shot of anesthetic to put them out - wouldn't tell me what it was and then they use the halothane to keep them under. She assured me they only use the smallest of amount. As I waited for the vet to come in I just couldn't help and wonder WHAT IF - so I didn't stick around long enough to talk to him. His assistant gave me enough information. I just was not comfortable knowing they had the hookup for the Isoflorane but still didn't use it. I had my children with me and they were looking at me with those questionable little eyes of theirs and I had visions of the worst thing possible happening and me having to tell them.

I left there telling them I was not comfortable with the halothane and I would want to talk with my husband first....yada yada yada....and if I changed my mind I would reschedule.

Being " too expensive" is the red flag right there! A lot of vets also try to cut costs on the surgeries becasue they don't have the regulations there are our doctors. It's a shame. You did the right thing.

i went too a low cost clinic to get toby neutered and it costs $30 AND they use the isofluerane (sp?) gas........ it cant be that expensive if i only had to pay $30 :confused: