No more anesthesia now what?

[Day April]

I took my 1.5 yr old in last week to get neutered and have his teeth cleaned and he didn't do well. They said not to risk anesthesia ever again - his heart rate dropped too low. . His teeth are horrible and he doesn't do well with brushing. They did recommend Science Diet Oral Care to be given as a treat twice a day, but other than that, is there anything else I can do?

Thanks

[yorkietalkjilly]

Oh, my goodness. Tooth brushing, etc., can help but you will potentially need some other work done with a Yorkie. Maybe you can contact your state's veterinary school and see what they can do in offering you alternatives if a tooth decays and abscesses, for example. Surely there is another type of anesthesia or local with some mild sedation that can be used to pull a bad tooth before it abscesses through the cheek. Do they use external pacemakers on dogs like this during surgery? There are so many wise people here I am sure you will get good help.

[Yorkiemom1]

Oh my goodness.... There are alot of things that go into the administration of anesthesia...size of dog, type of anesthesia used, etc. I agree with Jeanie to contact the vet school for guidance....you will have to know what your alternatives are for ANY procedures where you will be needing anesthesia....cant wait for an emergency to try to determine a plan of action! I have a little girl that does not do well with anesthesia....my vet gives her Propofol in very tiny doses, for the few minor surgical procedures she has required. Works excellent for her.....she tolerates it very well, awakens quickly and completely as they stop giving the medication at the end of the procedure.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Day April

I took my 1.5 yr old in last week to get neutered and have his teeth cleaned and he didn't do well. They said not to risk anesthesia ever again - his heart rate dropped too low. . His teeth are horrible and he doesn't do well with brushing. They did recommend Science Diet Oral Care to be given as a treat twice a day, but other than that, is there anything else I can do?

Thanks

For peace of mind, please call your vet tomorrow and ask them exactly what this means. In MY experience it meant that "elective" anesthesia was out of the question, such as dentals with no clinical signs of any real problem.

In an emergency, anesthesia and the drugs used to keep sedation under anesthesia, would be changed up because of the reaction my pet had to the standardly used meds. So please don't panic like I did! Just call them, I'm sure they didn't mean to cause you this much worry! Don't forget your Vets own adrenaline was running high during the surgery and they were worried, (obviously, genuinely care about your baby) and in the after surgery communications were very excited and out of relief.

I'm so glad your baby is ok, omg it must have been scary..it sounds to me you are doing all the right things! I use greenie chew 1/2 in a.m. 1/2 in p.m.

[yorkieusa]

Perhaps they meant that it should only be done under a specialist's care, such as at the universities.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Perhaps they meant that it should only be done under a specialist's care, such as at the universities.

[lillymae]

Do you know what anaesthesia was used ? as there are dif anesthesias & some vets use a cheap one that IMO should not ever be used & then there are some that cost much more but are well worth it as the side effects are minimal & are all around much safer for your pet.

[MidnightUnicorn]

Originally Posted by lillymae

Do you know what anaesthesia was used ? as there are dif anesthesias & some vets use a cheap one that IMO should not ever be used & then there are some that cost much more but are well worth it as the side effects are minimal & are all around much safer for your pet.

My thoughts exactly.

During Tatiana's consultation, that's exactly what her vet told me. Also, depending on the animal's medical condition, there are different approaches to administering general anesthesia.

Incidentally, the state-of-the-art gas anesthesia (I can't remember it's name, but it's what Tatiana's vet uses) is also safer because it takes LESS to put the animal under. If the animal has a problem, the vet could pull the tube out of it's trachea, and the animal can expel the small amount of gas out of their lungs, and quickly recover. Of course, this means the animal would recover quicker from a surgery, too, when everything is over.

Also, vets who use the better gas anesthesia would charge more because that gas anesthesia costs THEM more. My vet says it's much more expensive for him than the other gas anesthesia that's popular (I can't remember the name of this anesthesia either, but it's more popular). But he thinks it's worth it because it's safer.

[MidnightUnicorn]

If anybody is interested, the anesthesia my vet uses is sevoflurane. He thinks its safer, and yes, it's more expensive (even for him).

Hope this helps.

[zaknnana]

Lily turned four last month and it looks like I am going to have to give up and have her teeth cleaned by the vet!! I am dreading it because it scares me about putting her to sleep and the dangers (she is only 3-1/2 pounds).
She has appointment at local Petsmart tomorrow for exam to tell me what they are going to do!! We travel back and forth from AZ to WV and my neighbor got the wellness plan from Petsmart and it covers part of the cost of certain things. Does anyone have that and if so do you like it? I am scared but I can't get the plaque off of her teeth so it has to be done!! I just hope Petsmart can do it?? I appreciate any feedback from anyone asap because she has appointment tomorrow!! THANKS in advance!!

[gemy]

There are additives you can put in their drinking water. Tropiclean makes one, I use Suzy's. They actually work well to prevent and or take plaque off the teeth.

There is a thread here with pictures before and after use of Tropiclean.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by zaknnana

Lily turned four last month and it looks like I am going to have to give up and have her teeth cleaned by the vet!! I am dreading it because it scares me about putting her to sleep and the dangers (she is only 3-1/2 pounds).
She has appointment at local Petsmart tomorrow for exam to tell me what they are going to do!! We travel back and forth from AZ to WV and my neighbor got the wellness plan from Petsmart and it covers part of the cost of certain things. Does anyone have that and if so do you like it? I am scared but I can't get the plaque off of her teeth so it has to be done!! I just hope Petsmart can do it?? I appreciate any feedback from anyone asap because she has appointment tomorrow!! THANKS in advance!!

Ask them what they give for anesthesia....ask specifically if they give IV anesthesia or IV sedation. Yorkies do not metabolize barbiturates well, (disclaimer: so I have been told) which is why gas anesthesia is preferrably given on these babies.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by gemy

There are additives you can put in their drinking water. Tropiclean makes one, I use Suzy's. They actually work well to prevent and or take plaque off the teeth.

There is a thread here with pictures before and after use of Tropiclean.

You actually use this and know first hand it works? I was really interested in it, as I have some seniors that I really do not want to subject to anesthesia anymore...and I need something that will work well on plaque that is already there....lots of great claims out there....I want affirmation from first hand experience with the product!!! I will certainly give it a try if it works....where do you get it?

[Tina21]

You said your little one doesnt tolerate brushing and there is a product made by tropiclean that is a gel that can be used without a toothbrush. My Chloe isnt crazy about brushing either. I actually use a cat toothbrush that is very tiny (a gift from our vet ) But if there is no way to use a brush you can take the gel and simply rub it over your little guys teeth. I have been very impressed with the results so far. This can help to prevent further problems for him. Hope everything works out for you and sorry to hear that he didnt tolerate the anesthesia well. I hope that the well educated responses from the others here offer some options