Honestly..

[sashajade]

my sister lost her gsd and my aunt lost her little jack but i dont know of anyone else.

[Patti]

My sister's best friend lost her dog, a border collie mix on the table from allergic reaction to anesthesia. She did not have pre surgical blood work done. When Cali was spayed it was done on an emergency basis while she was in heat because they thought she may have a intestinal blockage. I knew that she was going to have her spay done at the ER hospital by the board certified surgeon since she needed a liver biopsy at the same time for liver shunt so I had already had the consultation with the surgeon I just couldn't get myself to make the appointment as she had been so sick the first 6 months I had her. Then she went into heat and had the possible obstruction so I didn't have a choice. They couldn't do her teeth extraction because she was having trouble keeping her body temperature up so they had to bring her out. But they really monitored her well. They wouldn't release her for 36 hours after surgery.

[stewartdogs]

One of the ladies in our Greyhound Rescue group lost her boy during a regular dental. Of course Greyhounds are tricky little buggers when it comes to putting them under. I have not ever heard of any other breed being lost during any type of "normal" procedure.

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by Potter

I may have to change my vet because so far, I haven't have the feeling that I can trust them. But, they told me that the pre-surgical screening is with a vet techinician and not a vet itself?

ummm....No. I dont' like this at all. The first thing a good vet / dr. does is try and allay any fears in his patient. I don't care how 'busy' this vet is, if s/he doesn't have time to sit and answer any questions you have face-to-face, then I'd say your instincts about not trusting "them" is right. It's sometimes hard to differentiate between being overly concerned about a medical issue, and truly not trusting a vet / dr. . I was so afraid I'd loose Abbie during spaying, or that infection would set in I almost made myself sick. But, if you don't feel comfortable with this vet, find another.

[Chrissy0277]

I would just make sure you do the preop bloodwork and make sure your vet uses Isoflurane during the surgery

[yougetthesmiles]

when I had my 1st yorkie, Kloey spayed, she had a blood test done b4 surgery to make sure she could have the anesthesia. She did fine with it and came out great. But I lost her in July, she was hit by a car

[Lorraine]

There are Vets and then there are Vets. Blood work prior to surgery should be done if you are concerned and you can request she be on an IV to reduce trauma and keep her hydrated during surgery.
The major problem is Vets who do not know how much premed to give a toy dog. I prefer Vets who don't premed but mask them down first then procede from there.
I prefer a Vet with a lot of experience with toy breeds and very small dogs.
Vets are not going to admit to any wrongdoing you can bet on that just choose very carefully.
A high priced Vet is not necessarily the best and I find are often just overpriced, not necessarily good.

[Potter]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

There are Vets and then there are Vets. Blood work prior to surgery should be done if you are concerned and you can request she be on an IV to reduce trauma and keep her hydrated during surgery.
The major problem is Vets who do not know how much premed to give a toy dog. I prefer Vets who don't premed but mask them down first then procede from there.
I prefer a Vet with a lot of experience with toy breeds and very small dogs.
Vets are not going to admit to any wrongdoing you can bet on that just choose very carefully.
A high priced Vet is not necessarily the best and I find are often just overpriced, not necessarily good.

I know high priced vet are not necessary good and they are overpriced but I have difficulty looking for a good vet in Toronto itself and I have been searching high and low. If you have a good recommendation, please PM me.

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Potter

I know high priced vet are not necessary good and they are overpriced but I have difficulty looking for a good vet in Toronto itself and I have been searching high and low. If you have a good recommendation, please PM me.

Sure I will see who I can find for you and will PM you when I get an answer. As it is a weekend many show breeders are at a dog shows but I should get some input in a day or two.

[Magneticgal]

Originally Posted by Potter

Thanks guys. I am already armed with a lot of information gathered from the Internet and from YT. I made another appointment for pre-surgical screening tomorrow. I do have to drill them with lots of questions because I can't feel that I totally trust them just yet. In the event that I feel they are not going to take care of my baby well during the surgery, I may have to change my vet because so far, I haven't have the feeling that I can trust them. But, they told me that the pre-surgical screening is with a vet techinician and not a vet itself?

I had Lexie spayed and I did a TON of research because I, too, had concerns and was worried about it. I checked what type of anesthetic they administer (absolutely NO BARBITUATES!!) as well as asked them about intubation (they should use the SMALLEST tube!) I also insisted on an IV so that if God forbid anything went wrong, they had a line in her. Do your research and homework- it will help ease your mind a little! I was a NERVOUS wreck the whole time so I understand!! Lex did great though!
Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions!!

Kris

[wnturner]

I've heard stories and from that I made a decision not have mine spayed. That was 5 years ago. Primarily because there were doctors who were really unfamiliar with small dogs. And I was in school at the time and couldn't afford to take her outside the city to find a doctor. If I had to make the decision today I would do it but after researching the doctor

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Potter

they told me that the pre-surgical screening is with a vet techinician and not a vet itself?

Do you know what is involved in the pre-surgical screening? Is it an actual appt before the surgury or is it done after you drop your pup off ?

I am a tech and i've worked with vets for many years. I've done pre-surgical screening on more dogs then i can remember. At the hospital i work at it involves an in house blood panel and an ekg. The ekg is run by a tech and the blood is taken by the tech. ALL RESULTS ARE LOOKED BY THE VET. In busy hospitals you cannot expect the vet to do everything. That's what tech's are for. We are trained professionals who, in most cases, go to school and are certified to do what we do. Every state in the US has different laws though and i don't know what htey are in your area so it many be much different then it is here.

I had my pup spayed when she was 6 months and she only weighed 3lbs. i was not even slightly worried because i have great trust in my vets. Find a vet you are comfortable with, but remember vets cannot do every little thing. If they did they would only be able to see minimal patients a day and only do one or two surgies a day. its impossible.

[Potter]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

Sure I will see who I can find for you and will PM you when I get an answer. As it is a weekend many show breeders are at a dog shows but I should get some input in a day or two.

Thank you so much!!!!! I so appreciate that!