Pre-op bloodwork: Is it necessary??

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

In case of an emergency, an IV catheter will give the vet instant access to your pet's circulatory system. It can save his life.

Please ask this clinic lots of questions. Some low cost spay neuter clinics skip important procedures like bloodwork, don't use isoflurane, don't give pain meds afterwards, etc. It may be safer to have your regular vet do his neuter.

Does Brady have any retained baby teeth? It is customary to remove them during the spay or neuter. Will the clinic remove them? Many low cost clinics won't. If Brady has to have them removed separately by his regular vet, it will end up costing you more in the long run plus Brady will have to undergo a second anesthesia.

Excellent points!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I hope you don't mind me asking but why not? (see bolded) I didn't give pain meds after the second day. But that was after learning they made Kaji hyper and uncontrollable. I thought he would hurt himself if he carried on the way he did. After I stopped giving the pain meds, he was very calm.

oh, and to stay on subject. Another vote pro pre-op blood work. It just gives us piece of mind.

Many of the low cost clinics are bare bones and just do the procedure itself. Some, like those run by the SPCA, are wonderful and do bloodwork, give an injection for pain right afterwards, etc.

It's just important to ask a lot of questions beforehand to make sure your dog will be getting the same level of care.

[Ellie May]

BTW, I think it's a very good idea to volunteer at your local spay clinic before letting your dog have surgery there.There are fantastic non-profs that do these surgeries. There are many that are dives. I've volunteered at a place that does these things and I would never, ever let Ellie have surgery there. In contrast, her vet office is the cleanest, most organized place with amazing staff. IMO, volunteering is a good way to find a lot of things out about the place (in addition to asking many questions).

[Furbaby Friend]

To the OP. Please get the pre-op blood work done. I JUST had Rylie spayed this past Friday and we went in for the blood work on Thursday prior. It is very important you get it done.

I opted in for the catheter and the IV as well because not only do they administer fluids that way so the recovery is smoother (most pups don't want to eat drink that first day and the IV prevented my baby from becoming dehydrated), they can administer LIFE SAVING medication directly into your pup's system if something goes wrong. PLEASE READ that anesthesia protocol linked earlier as the type of anesthesia does matter.

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I hope you don't mind me asking but why not? (see bolded) I didn't give pain meds after the second day. But that was after learning they made Kaji hyper and uncontrollable. I thought he would hurt himself if he carried on the way he did. After I stopped giving the pain meds, he was very calm.

oh, and to stay on subject. Another vote pro pre-op blood work. It just gives us piece of mind.

My vet said it was important to continue Rylie's pain meds until all of them were gone because they have anti-inflammatory properties as well and it would help with her recovery and keep the swelling down. I asked about discontinuing them early when I was there if she was being too active. They told me to keep her on them and if I had to crate her to prevent her from being too active. Granted Kaji may have gotten different meds.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend

To the OP. Please get the pre-op blood work done. I JUST had Rylie spayed this past Friday and we went in for the blood work on Thursday prior. It is very important you get it done.

I opted in for the catheter and the IV as well because not only do they administer fluids that way so the recovery is smoother (most pups don't want to eat drink that first day and the IV prevented my baby from becoming dehydrated), they can administer LIFE SAVING medication directly into your pup's system if something goes wrong. PLEASE READ that anesthesia protocol linked earlier as the type of anesthesia does matter.



My vet said it was important to continue Rylie's pain meds until all of them were gone because they have anti-inflammatory properties as well and it would help with her recovery and keep the swelling down. I asked about discontinuing them early when I was there if she was being too active. They told me to keep her on them and if I had to crate her to prevent her from being too active. Granted Kaji may have gotten different meds.

I honestly cannot remember at this moment what kind he had. Maybe he just had a reaction to them. His system could not handle the meds? I'm not exaggerating one bit when I say the difference between who he is and how he was acting was night and day. I couldn't handle him, keep him quiet, keep him from jumping, or anything. It was like someone gave him a giant coffee with TONS of sugar and whatnot. We didn't get any sleep that night, and he was howling, barking, growling, and was overall jumpy at any movement and shadows. It was horrible.

Maybe this is one of the consequences of bad breeding? I honestly don't know what happened.

[Ladymom]

I forgot to mention that you need to ask the clinic if they use a heating pad, etc. to make sure he will be kept warm enough during the procedure. Sevoflurane especially tends to drop body temperature in toy breeds so they need to be closely monitored.

[Furbaby Friend]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I honestly cannot remember at this moment what kind he had. Maybe he just had a reaction to them. His system could not handle the meds? I'm not exaggerating one bit when I say the difference between who he is and how he was acting was night and day. I couldn't handle him, keep him quiet, keep him from jumping, or anything. It was like someone gave him a giant coffee with TONS of sugar and whatnot. We didn't get any sleep that night, and he was howling, barking, growling, and was overall jumpy at any movement and shadows. It was horrible.

Maybe this is one of the consequences of bad breeding? I honestly don't know what happened.

I'm not saying that you should have continued meds with Kaji. It sounds like they didn't sit well with him. I don't think that is necessarily bad breeding either, everyone is just different. They're like people!

I was just commenting because the OP SHOULD ask about meds because they might be optional at the clinic and I think pain meds are an important thing to consider because not all dogs will have a poor reaction and apparently they help with recovery or at least Rylie's do.

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I forgot to mention that you need to ask the clinic if they use a heating pad, etc. to make sure he will be kept warm enough during the procedure. Sevoflurane especially tends to drop body temperature in toy breeds so they need to be closely monitored.

This is also in the question portion of the anesthesia protocol linked earlier. Please read it OP! Lots of good info there.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend

I'm not saying that you should have continued meds with Kaji. It sounds like they didn't sit well with him. I don't think that is necessarily bad breeding either, everyone is just different. They're like people!

I was just commenting because the OP SHOULD ask about meds because they might be optional at the clinic and I think pain meds are an important thing to consider because not all dogs will have a poor reaction and apparently they help with recovery or at least Rylie's do.



This is also in the question portion of the anesthesia protocol linked earlier. Please read it OP! Lots of good info there.

Oh no, I completely understand. I wanted to make it clear this, as far as I know, only happened with Kaji. It's an isolated incident and not what normally happens with pain meds. Them not sitting well with Kaji is an understatement, believe me. I actually wanted to hear more from Ladymom. She put in her post that no meds is better. I'd love to hear more about it.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Oh no, I completely understand. I wanted to make it clear this, as far as I know, only happened with Kaji. It's an isolated incident and not what normally happens with pain meds. Them not sitting well with Kaji is an understatement, believe me. I actually wanted to hear more from Ladymom. She put in her post that no meds is better. I'd love to hear more about it.

I think you misunderstood my post. I said just the opposite, that sometimes the low cost clinics skip pain meds and that was a concern. Most dogs need a shot for pain immediately after and pain meds for a few days.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I think you misunderstood my post. I said just the opposite, that sometimes the low cost clinics skip pain meds and that was a concern. Most dogs need a shot for pain immediately after and pain meds for a few days.

I'm sorry. I did misunderstand. I was so hoping you could shed some light on the pain meds topic. I'm dreading the LP surgery, and I wanted to see if there was something I should be researching. SORRY!

[Ellie May]

If the meds make a pup so hyper that not even cage rest works, then it is probably best to skip them. But there are quite a few to choose from, so if one doesn't work another could be tried. I would try several before discontinuing, particular for a spay, because they are in pain whether they show it or not. I just don't feel right about making them be in any pain after I chose to have a surgery done. They heal faster pain free anyway.

My first guess is that Kaji was on Ultram (Tramadol). Whatever they used, they can try something else. There is no getting around it with ortho surgery though.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by yli009

Ah so I'm having a bit of a dilemma. I made an appointment to have Brady neutered at a low cost clinic (SpayNow) that was recommended by some YT members. However, it's kind of far from me so I was planning to get the pre-op bloodwork done at his vet, which they quoted me for $60 on previous paperwork. But when I called in, they said it would be more than $100!!! SpayNow offers it for $35 so I called to see if they could squeeze me in before his neutering and they can but they kept telling me that bloodwork is not required and they don't see any reason to get it if he's healthy.

I've read stories on YT about sudden issues during surgery due to lack of pre-op bloodwork so I don't know if I should take the chance. What do you guys think??? Should I definitely get it??? Please help!!

Only $35 ??? why the heck not?

btw Uni's bloodwork was about $100 too. I say it's priceless to have a little bit more peace of mind. It sure did help me out.

[Sammy Mommy]

My vet will not do dental (or any surgery) without pre=op blood work. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Ellie May]

ETA: The difference could just be b/c one is a non-prof and the other is not OR the private practice is doing a more thorough check. The $35 may just be for a CBC which is not enough.

[Yomom]

Yes, and besides that Yes! My pup may now have a liver shunt and the first thing the Vet said is thank goodness we didn't put him to sleep to nueter him- anything liver related that your dog may have will cause issues with anesthesia. You won't know that without blood work. Having a dog, any dog is expensive and it's good to know that before the decision is made to purchase or adopt. Good luck!