Surgery Precautions? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Amira · 07-12-2007, 08:21 PM

My little 3 pound yorkie is due to be spayed next week. I have heard many things about super small dogs going under anesthesia and either never coming out of it or get a collapsed trachea from intubation. Are these really things I should be looking out for? If so, how common are these problems? My vet told me he fixed a yorkie around my yorkie's size and it went fine. He also said he's never seen a collapsed trachea due to intubation. I really would appreciate some help with this. I am ever so nervous!

-A.

SweetSuzie614 · 07-12-2007, 08:27 PM

I am going through the same thing right now. I am debating to spay or not to spay right now. So it will be interesting what other people say in response to your questions. Keep me updated. Thanks

Judy in Waco · 07-12-2007, 09:00 PM

I read in one of my yorkie books that when you sign the permission for surgery, you should stipulate that you want the vet to do the intubating and not a vet tech and that they use the smallest tube available. However, I question that first part. Shouldn't it be the person with the most experience who does the intubating?

JadedSmilez · 07-13-2007, 12:52 AM

Just because the Vet hasnt seen it, doesnt mean it cant happen....1st of all they can get a collapse trachea from being intubated, because they are intubated with an endotracheal tube (ET Tube)...via inside the trachea, especially if they dont know how to properly intubate/extubate, as well as esophegeal intubations(but thats another story) and other complications (as w/ any procedure)... thats why I suggest Vet only intubations/extubations....they may get pissy about it, but who cares ur paying for the surgery and he/she IS your furbaby....

Also make sure u get pain meds and antibiotics post surgery!

I had a tramatic experience with my Daisybear...but thats another rant...LOL

coffeechloe · 07-13-2007, 12:57 AM

I too will having the same dilemma with my Oscar so I keep putting it off. I am going to wait until he is at least a year old and has hopefull gained some weight. That way, if he has problems with his teeth I will be able to do this at this same time.

I have read that you should insist the vet uses the anesthetic isoflurane or sevoflurane as these are the safest and if they don't use it find a vet that does.

I also think it is wise to ring around different vet surgeries and find a vet if you can that has plenty of experience when dealing with small and toy breeds.

I have also read that the vet (who has the most experience) should do the intubation and not the nurse.

I am sure you little pup will be fine but it doesn't hurt to do all you can to minimise any risks.

Peters · 07-13-2007, 03:17 AM

smaller dogs and cats arent usually tubes for surgery they givve the ans. due to size or can gas them without anes. they can do a preane. blood panel to check and see if able to go under or listen to the heart but spay /neuter is a very common done daily surgery at the vet office good luck and i know you worry about your babiy but it is very routine and pretty short surgery they are usually up and around an hour or less later

Amira · 07-13-2007, 02:02 PM

Thank you all for your help. I am going to look further into their types of anesthesia and gas masking on Monday when they are in office.
Sofia is already one year old which means that mammary cancer chances are up to 8% of her contracting it because she has already had one heat cycle. I need to get this done before her second heat cycle but I have been putting it off for 6 months.

I thank you for your kind words and help.
-A. & S.

cbhayden · 07-13-2007, 06:02 PM

i read this awful story once about a yorkie who had 3rd degree burns from the heating pad they used on him during his surgery while being fixed. turns out they had the pad on way too high and didn't even notice how burnt he was until after the surgery. the furbaby almost died.

it is worth bringing it up and letting the vet know you are concerned and aware that this could happen.

-cortney and bruiser (5 lb yorkie)

ladybugg74 · 07-13-2007, 06:10 PM

We had Gracie and Hallee both fixed. I cried each time I we dropped them off at the vet. I was a basket case. We kept calling to see if they were done, checking on them. Ours had no problems. Of course I cried again when we picked them up because they looked so helpless and terrible from the surgery. They both bounced back to normal the next day.

My sister had a miniature pincher and was getting it's ears clipped. The poor little guy did not make it. They lost him when they put him out for ther surgery. . They called my sister about two hours later and told her he died and she could come and pick him up. When she went there they gave her the dog wrapped in a towel. We were all furious about how the vet handled the situation.

It is a scary thing with our little ones. We are now afraid to have them put out for anything. We thought about doing the teeth cleaning, but are totally afraid.

Amira · 07-16-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbhayden

i read this awful story once about a yorkie who had 3rd degree burns from the heating pad they used on him during his surgery while being fixed. turns out they had the pad on way too high and didn't even notice how burnt he was until after the surgery. the furbaby almost died.

it is worth bringing it up and letting the vet know you are concerned and aware that this could happen.

-cortney and bruiser (5 lb yorkie)

My goodness, that is a nightmare! How terrible and painful that must have been.

Yorkieluv · 07-16-2007, 04:09 PM

Have them use gas anesthetics and no barbituates or injectable anesthetics...Using Isoflourine or sevoflourine, your baby should wake up very quickly. My maltese was 2.9lbs when she was spayed, and everything came out fine

juliaann · 07-17-2007, 04:32 AM

My Barney was neutered last Thurs,it was very worrying but all was fine,he bounced back to good health very quickly,he gets his stitches out Friday this week glad i went ahead with it.

jp4m2 · 07-17-2007, 04:49 AM

I also was worried about this when mine was fixed...I waited til he was 8 months old before I finally took him in, he was about 4 lbs then...

Akina · 07-17-2007, 03:34 PM

I just came back from vet after Momiji's spay, teeth extract, and micro chip.
I was very warried since she only weights 2.35lb.
So I waited until now.
She is 10 1/2 month old.
She is in pain I think.
I'm hoping she will bounce back to her usual self by tomorrow!!!
But I sure feel bad for her.
I wish I can take her place and be in pain.....

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 07-17-2007, 03:40 PM

We had Magic spayed when she was 6 months old and she only weighed 3lbs at the time...it was a hard decision but we trusted the vet we used and everything went great. Within two days she was back to her old self and was wanted to play again...let your vet know your concerns so that you will feel totally comfortable going into the surgery.

07-12-2007, 08:21 PM	#1
Amira Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 73	Surgery Precautions? My little 3 pound yorkie is due to be spayed next week. I have heard many things about super small dogs going under anesthesia and either never coming out of it or get a collapsed trachea from intubation. Are these really things I should be looking out for? If so, how common are these problems? My vet told me he fixed a yorkie around my yorkie's size and it went fine. He also said he's never seen a collapsed trachea due to intubation. I really would appreciate some help with this. I am ever so nervous! -A.

07-12-2007, 09:00 PM	#3
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 8,477	I read in one of my yorkie books that when you sign the permission for surgery, you should stipulate that you want the vet to do the intubating and not a vet tech and that they use the smallest tube available. However, I question that first part. Shouldn't it be the person with the most experience who does the intubating? __________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12)

07-13-2007, 12:57 AM	#5
coffeechloe Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancaster Posts: 23	I too will having the same dilemma with my Oscar so I keep putting it off. I am going to wait until he is at least a year old and has hopefull gained some weight. That way, if he has problems with his teeth I will be able to do this at this same time. I have read that you should insist the vet uses the anesthetic isoflurane or sevoflurane as these are the safest and if they don't use it find a vet that does. I also think it is wise to ring around different vet surgeries and find a vet if you can that has plenty of experience when dealing with small and toy breeds. I have also read that the vet (who has the most experience) should do the intubation and not the nurse. I am sure you little pup will be fine but it doesn't hurt to do all you can to minimise any risks. __________________ Oscar's mum!

07-13-2007, 03:17 AM	#6
Peters YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,225	smaller dogs and cats arent usually tubes for surgery they givve the ans. due to size or can gas them without anes. they can do a preane. blood panel to check and see if able to go under or listen to the heart but spay /neuter is a very common done daily surgery at the vet office good luck and i know you worry about your babiy but it is very routine and pretty short surgery they are usually up and around an hour or less later __________________ A pet's love is true right from the start, through good times and bad, like sharing one heart.

07-13-2007, 06:02 PM	#8
cbhayden Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 22	ask about the heating blanket i read this awful story once about a yorkie who had 3rd degree burns from the heating pad they used on him during his surgery while being fixed. turns out they had the pad on way too high and didn't even notice how burnt he was until after the surgery. the furbaby almost died. it is worth bringing it up and letting the vet know you are concerned and aware that this could happen. -cortney and bruiser (5 lb yorkie)

07-12-2007, 08:27 PM	#2
SweetSuzie614 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 109	I am going through the same thing right now. I am debating to spay or not to spay right now. So it will be interesting what other people say in response to your questions. Keep me updated. Thanks

07-13-2007, 12:52 AM	#4
JadedSmilez YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 260	Just because the Vet hasnt seen it, doesnt mean it cant happen....1st of all they can get a collapse trachea from being intubated, because they are intubated with an endotracheal tube (ET Tube)...via inside the trachea, especially if they dont know how to properly intubate/extubate, as well as esophegeal intubations(but thats another story) and other complications (as w/ any procedure)... thats why I suggest Vet only intubations/extubations....they may get pissy about it, but who cares ur paying for the surgery and he/she IS your furbaby.... Also make sure u get pain meds and antibiotics post surgery! I had a tramatic experience with my Daisybear...but thats another rant...LOL

07-13-2007, 02:02 PM	#7
Amira Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 73	Thank you all for your help. I am going to look further into their types of anesthesia and gas masking on Monday when they are in office. Sofia is already one year old which means that mammary cancer chances are up to 8% of her contracting it because she has already had one heat cycle. I need to get this done before her second heat cycle but I have been putting it off for 6 months. I thank you for your kind words and help. -A. & S.

07-13-2007, 06:10 PM	#9
ladybugg74 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,054	We had Gracie and Hallee both fixed. I cried each time I we dropped them off at the vet. I was a basket case. We kept calling to see if they were done, checking on them. Ours had no problems. Of course I cried again when we picked them up because they looked so helpless and terrible from the surgery. They both bounced back to normal the next day. My sister had a miniature pincher and was getting it's ears clipped. The poor little guy did not make it. They lost him when they put him out for ther surgery. . They called my sister about two hours later and told her he died and she could come and pick him up. When she went there they gave her the dog wrapped in a towel. We were all furious about how the vet handled the situation. It is a scary thing with our little ones. We are now afraid to have them put out for anything. We thought about doing the teeth cleaning, but are totally afraid. __________________ Heather - Mamma to Gracie & Hallee Last edited by ladybugg74; 07-13-2007 at 06:12 PM.

07-16-2007, 04:09 PM	#11
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	Have them use gas anesthetics and no barbituates or injectable anesthetics...Using Isoflourine or sevoflourine, your baby should wake up very quickly. My maltese was 2.9lbs when she was spayed, and everything came out fine __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

07-17-2007, 04:32 AM	#12
juliaann YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northumberland Posts: 6	My Barney was neutered last Thurs,it was very worrying but all was fine,he bounced back to good health very quickly,he gets his stitches out Friday this week glad i went ahead with it.

07-17-2007, 04:49 AM	#13
jp4m2 Love my Boys Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: w/ my boys Posts: 5,056	I also was worried about this when mine was fixed...I waited til he was 8 months old before I finally took him in, he was about 4 lbs then... __________________ B.J.mom to : Jake J.J. Jack & Joey, momma misses you..... The joy found in the companionship of a pet is a blessing not given to everyone. The two most powerful words when we’re in struggle: me too..

07-17-2007, 03:34 PM	#14
Akina YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Mateo Posts: 887	I just came back from vet after Momiji's spay, teeth extract, and micro chip. I was very warried since she only weights 2.35lb. So I waited until now. She is 10 1/2 month old. She is in pain I think. I'm hoping she will bounce back to her usual self by tomorrow!!! But I sure feel bad for her. I wish I can take her place and be in pain.....

07-17-2007, 03:40 PM	#15
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	We had Magic spayed when she was 6 months old and she only weighed 3lbs at the time...it was a hard decision but we trusted the vet we used and everything went great. Within two days she was back to her old self and was wanted to play again...let your vet know your concerns so that you will feel totally comfortable going into the surgery. __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain