Questions Questions HELP!! (neuter)

[scooter52398]

Questions Questions HELP!!

Scooter is to be neutered on Friday and I just got the admission form and have some questions.
The form sayd Office Visit is $34, Neuter is $130. Other options are :
1. Should you do the Pre-surgical ECG screening? (additional $25)
2. Should you do the Pre-surgical/Anethesia Blood Screen? (Another $25)
3. Laser sugery (Another $55 - $75)
4. Oral Pain Medication (10 - $12) I thinnk I should get this but I don't know about 1 to 3. Any help would be great!

 

[JulieM]

I always recommend pre-surgery bloodwork (and it costs me $35 so your price is not bad). A pre-surgery ECG is not a bad idea (our vet keeps an ECG going during surgery). I don't know a lot about laser surgery but it is supposed to be cleaner and easier to heal - others on the board have had it done so could better comment. I have yet to give pain medication to my dogs, after 3 ear crops, a spay, a neuter, and a gum surgery. I have given homeopathic Arnica, 30 c, one pellet dissolved in 4 oz. of spring water and then 1 tsp given, once a day for 3 days (new pellet/water each day) for trauma/bruising after surgery. I have Hypericum for pain to be given the same way, but haven't needed to give it yet. If the pain medication is Rimadyl I would stay far, far away from it. My male was neutered when he was 2 1/2, he was out of it the night of the surgery (I brought him home) but the next day you would never even know he'd had the surgery.

 

[Tucker's_mom]

I pretty much agree with JulieM (as ususal ). I would definately do the pre-op bloodwork. That way if anything is a little off, they can make adjustments to anesthesia or whatever accordingly. Also the ECG would probably be a good idea for the same reasons. Tucker didn't have the laser surgery when he was neutered, so no advice there. But I know a bunch of people here have had the laser surgery, so maybe a search is in order so you can find some info on it. I didn't get any pain meds for Tucker after his surgery and really I don't think he needed them. The first night home he was a little out of it, but within 24 hours he was pretty much back to his normal playful self.

Good luck with Scooter's surgery. I've got my fingers crossed that everything goes well!

 

[YourFriendDeb]

We just had Legend neutered about 3 weeks ago. I agree with everyone else...do the bloodwork and EKG. If (God forbid) something happened and you elected not to do it...you'd never forgive yourself :(

We also had the laser surgery (although it was only about $15 extra) and its great. Within 2 days, you could hardly see the incision, the stitches are "inside" and they dissolve so we didn't have to get them removed. He was up and bouncing around THAT DAY.

We opted for the pain med (Rimadyl), then I heard the pitfalls of it from Julie, so we'll take another route next time.

 

[crabapple]

We did pre blood work and found out our baby had liver problems. She was on special food and meds for about 2 months.
It's worth it to make sure your baby is healthy!

 

[mmccown]

My 2 Cents

I agree with the previous posts (personally, I would like to do a mind meld on JulieM, so I could gain her knowledge )

I would add....ask the vet if the sedative used during surgery is Acepromazine. I have heard from the vets we use for rescue, and my personal vet, the Ace can adversely affect Boxers hearts. I am not sure that if it is a breed issue or a substance issue. Apparently, it can cause the heart to slow down to a dangerous slow beat. I know folks who lost their Boxers when Ace was used. I cannot surely state that these losses were the sole result of using Acepromazine or were caused by other factors.

Julie, any words on this? I would be interested to hear your feedback about Acepromazine.


Marnie

 

[JulieM]

LOL - "mind meld" - I don't have anything special, all you have to do is read Although I suppose a mind meld would be much faster! :D

As far as Acepromazine goes; yes, there is a breed-specific contraindication to its use. And while I know many vets who have used it (in 1/10 dose) for years with no problems whatsoever, IMO if there is a known increased risk why use it? Valium is a much safer pre-anesthetic - and actually many vets don't use a pre-anesthetic at all anymore. (As for actual anesthetics, isoflourane or sevoflourane are considered the safest as far as I've heard.)