Originally Posted by airplane (Post 4759774)

Thanks ladyjane for sharing that. It definitely makes me think about things. It just seems like it’s one of those things where I just don’t know. This same doctor has done dental work on Bijou before in the past where Bijou was put under general anesthesia before with x rays and everything, as well as other doctors at the same clinic and at other clinics before in the past. Bijou has always done anesthesia before. Maybe one has to fully be aware of Bijou’s file and history. I just don’t know what all the factors were that were considered for Bijou, for this time, to not do general anesthesia or x rays. I do know age was definitely one of the factors and this doctor convinced me that when they are that old that sedation was much better cause they’re far less likely to die. How would a pet parent question a vet with 25 years experience when he says something like that? Me and every other pet parent are faced with the issue of having to put our trust in the vets judgement. Of course I could find a different vet with a different opinion and have Bijou been put under general anesthesia this time, but without the training and experience I can’t critique the correctness of either opinion that different vets might have. At some point in time you just have to put your trust in a particular vet, and trust that they are doing what’s best for your pet.

Originally Posted by JennaPenny (Post 4759836)

Thanks, everyone. This was all extremely helpful. I knew about the type, LadyJane, but the monitoring is actually new. I mean, yes, I knew monitoring the vitals were extremely important- but I had no idea that one person only for it was the best thing.

We've found out- tentatively- that, despite them looking over her mouth thoroughly during spay, that she has two deciduous teeth, molars-and that it was a partial baby molar (most likely) that broke off. None of her adult teeth during the cursory examination were broken. At all. We definitely have a piece of broken tooth, came out of her mouth on husband's hand, but not her adult or canines. She has the exam next Friday and if she shows a molar after the exam (when she's under general anesthesia) that needs a canal we'll be going ahead and doing that at the vet dentists. The fact that the tooth after cleaning- the piece that chipped- showed that much decay when she has relatively clean teeth with only a little bit of tartar, tells the vet that she's very likely right, but obviously can't tell until the exam.

So, that's the update. Thank you so much for all of your information, it really made a difference.

Originally Posted by JennaPenny (Post 4759836)

Thanks, everyone. This was all extremely helpful. I knew about the type, LadyJane, but the monitoring is actually new. I mean, yes, I knew monitoring the vitals were extremely important- but I had no idea that one person only for it was the best thing.

We've found out- tentatively- that, despite them looking over her mouth thoroughly during spay, that she has two deciduous teeth, molars-and that it was a partial baby molar (most likely) that broke off. None of her adult teeth during the cursory examination were broken. At all. We definitely have a piece of broken tooth, came out of her mouth on husband's hand, but not her adult or canines. She has the exam next Friday and if she shows a molar after the exam (when she's under general anesthesia) that needs a canal we'll be going ahead and doing that at the vet dentists. The fact that the tooth after cleaning- the piece that chipped- showed that much decay when she has relatively clean teeth with only a little bit of tartar, tells the vet that she's very likely right, but obviously can't tell until the exam.

So, that's the update. Thank you so much for all of your information, it really made a difference.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4759842)

That is a very important thing that should be done when any dog is under anesthesia for anything. If nothing surgical needs to be done during dentals my vet is normally the one who monitors stats. Hopefully it was just a baby tooth. Keep keeping us updated :)

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4759856)

No way a vet can monitor vital signs during anesthesia! That is totally not protocol. The vet has more important things to do.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4759867)

I was talking about dentals not regular surgeries. On dentals a tech normally does them and the vet is watching the vitals.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4759875)

I find that doubtful. A vet has to be around to oversee and is there for extractions, but I highly doubt any vet is just sitting there monitoring vital signs.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4759877)

Well I'm just going by the one I personally saw which was a dental without extractions and then what I was told and taught in my Vet Assistant classes. I'm sure some vets do it other ways and do what works best for them.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4759893)

Recommendation by AAHA (and I "think" required for accredation) is for a dedicated tech for vital signs.
I am going to ask my vet tomorrow.
It is not about "what works for the vet"...it is about the safest procedures for our pets.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4759894)

They do that for sure in surgery’s. Maybe a different tech was watching the stats and I missed it or was so overwhelmed I didn’t pay attention and just figured she was watching it because it appeared that way. I did my shadowing before we learned about dentals but I’m pretty positive she said that the vet is the one who normally monitors watches vitals and that unless there is dental surgery required that the techs do the dentals.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4759902)

She may have just been referring to the fact that the techs do the dentals but a vet must be supervising.

Personally, I would ask. I would not allow a dental to be done on one of mine without one dedicated person monitoring VS. Way too much can go wrong.

I am going to ask my vet today about this...I know that there are some things that AAHA requires for accreditation and some things that give extra points. Dental xrays are now strongly encouraged and they get extra points for them doing them. The dental specialist I use sometimes told me a few years ago that no vet should do dentals without doing xrays because so much can be missed. I was so happy when my vet started doing them. I "think" the monitoring thing is required. I will let you know what I find out.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4759903)

Here it is...I don't need to ask them. As soon as I posted the above I realized I should be able to google it..

This is such an important topic. Whenever I hear about a healthy pet dying during a dental I always wonder if proper protocols were in place.

This also addresses those awful non anesthetic dentals saying they are "unacceptable and below the standard of care". I wish people understood this..makes me sick to my stomach to see this being done.

If you read about how much there is that needs to be monitored, you will understand how there is NO way two people could do this with one being the vet. If a vet is having the tech do dentals, it makes no sense the vet would be sitting doing the other stuff that does not require a vet to do. Vets are way too busy and are apt to be called out of that area for another patient.

https://www.aaha.org/public_document...guidelines.pdf