Anaesthesia for old dogs

[al & chris]

Our 16/17 yr old dog Sophie just had her mot and injections. The vet advised that her teeth needed treatment which would involve anaesthetic. Is it safe to put an old dog under general anaesthetic. They said she is fit and healthy just doing blood and urine analysis now.
Any vets on here for advise? I am sure our vet is giving the best advise but the worry is she might not wake up

[al & chris]

She is still extremely fit 6 mile walk the other day plus running behind mountain bikes on difficult sections on routes when we take her out of her trolley for fear of it tipping over.

[helen&tony]

Hi
I think you're right to ask for another opinion, but if it helps, our 11 year old lurcher (at the time) had a general for some teeth extractions, but they were careful not to leave her under for long!....
She spends all day and night resting (nothing new for a lurcher, then! ), but she can still shift!
Cheers
Helen

[al & chris]

Thanks Helen
Not sure what to do she is healthy for now. If we have it done though might help her live for longer without problems.

[gasace]

Our 15 year old toy poodle had an anesthetic when the vet tried to put his dislocated hip back in,they put in a drip to keep him hydrated and he was fine (apart from his hip which never worked again)

[Wendy'n'Alan]

These days both doctors and vets have the ability to put animals under as shallow and for as short a time as is needed, Unlike years ago when anaesthetic meant an overnight stay in hospital. I would be guided by the vet and if the surgery is essential for quality of life. Hope all goes well whatever you decide to do.

[al & chris]

Blood and urine tests suggest chronic kidney failure. Had another urine test and this suggest similar. Vets want to do another blood test early march to see change and if they can do teeth. She is fine at the moment food motivated,as ever. But we are both worried.

[Doone]

It's a shock when you think they're doing fine, then the vet says 'chronic kidney failure'.
Our 13 year old Lab was diagnosed with kidney failure. She lived another 18 months until suddenly getting much worse. She had regular tests and was happy until the end.
If she'd had teeth problems, we wouldn't have had anything done to them unless they were causing her discomfort/pain. (Sometimes it's a hygiene problem but no pain.) If she was suffering, we'd have had to let the vet try to help.
Your vet should be able to advise if her teeth are causing pain.

[Bongoplod]

PM David Edwards,and ask if hell ask his wife who is a vet.

[Jillygumbo]

My dog is nearly 16. She was very down last year and had a senior MOT involving blood and urine tests. Having changed vets because we were convinced the old vet was trying it on, we've discovered she has an incontinence problem. She's now on tablets (not expensive) and is happy as a lark. New lease of life etc.

Vet also wants to do dental but I'm resisting. She's not in pain and is feeding well. Bad breath but that's all. I'm loathe to put her under at her age for dental work, so resisting. Current vet actually listens!

[ELZE]

Its a calculated risk. How bad are the teeth and if left will they cause infection or discomfort? weigh that up against the operation and an old dog. The answer in my opinion is based on the current quality of life and the life expectancy, 16 is a ripe old age for a dog.

If fido is happy, eating well and still asking for walks, not grumbling then I personally would leave well alone.

Good luck either way

[David Edwards]

Asked the missus and she says as long as she is fit and well, there should be no problems, she has actually anaesthetised dogs quite a bit older with no probs, today's stuff is so safe and believe me if the missus didnt think it safe there is no way she would do it, even did our own dog at 17 to remove duff tooth,lol.

[al & chris]

Blood and urine tests suggest chronic kidney failure. Had another urine test and this suggest similar. Vets want to do another blood test early march to see change and if they can do teeth. She is fine at the moment food motivated,as ever. But we are both worried.

Well just had another blood test and results are better than any previous tests. . She goes in for teeth doing on Monday. Still worried though.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Best wishes for Monday....
Cheers
Helen

[al & chris]

she is back and ok minus one tooth. All happy now.