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| anaethesia for elderly animal? | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 27 2010, 05:31 AM (251 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Nov 27 2010, 05:31 AM Post #1 |
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I am somewhat of a basket case. Our Pandora who is somewhere between 13 and 16 years old (she was a rescue and we do not know how old she is, but she has had us since 1998 when different vets thought she was between one and three) is scheduled for dental work on Tuesday. She will have a deep gum cleaning and removal of several diseased teeth, for which she needs general anaethesia. She had quite a lot of dental work done about 8 years ago, as she had been abused by her previous owners and had several broken teeth that were removed, but she was much younger. Several vets here have told us she needed this work done, but they all have a financial interest in performing this expensive work. However, when we were in BC and had to take her to a vet there for an unrelated matter, and HE also recommended the dental work knowing we would not have it done there, we decided to go ahead with it. Now I am having second thoughts. I am so afraid of losing her!! and she does not seem to be in pain......her blood work shows she is in good health.....what would YOU do if she was your kitty? |
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| FuzzyO | Nov 27 2010, 05:43 AM Post #2 |
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I'm facing a similar dilemma with Becky, my 14 yr old cocker spaniel. She has a very large lipoma, almost baseball sized, on her chest. It's taken several years to reach this size. When I first noticed it and it was determined that it is a benign growth I was told there was no reason other than cosmetic to have it removed. Now there is a possibility that it could impede her movment though as yet it has not done so. The life expectancy of a cocker spaniel is 15 years. The vet is now recommending removing it. I have a very hard time with the notion of surgery for such an elderly critter, and also with the pain that she will undoubtedly experience afterward as the incision heals. I have no answer and I don't know what I would do for Pandora. If she were in pain it would be another matter entirely. |
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| yardape | Nov 27 2010, 06:10 AM Post #3 |
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We've had cats and dogs for over 30 years, our last cat lived to be 19 and for the last 4 years of his life had only a couple teeth left. We just prepared food that was a bit softer for him, but he wasn't in pain or discomfort due to his lack of teeth. Personally, I would leave the cat to last out his years normally, as mentioned vets have a monetary interest in fixing animals, and if you go that route be prepared to spend lots with no guarantee of success. As for the 14 yr old Cocker Spaniel, I have the same advice. At 14 the dog is at the end of it's lifespan and the operation most likely will have a detrimental effect on her. If she's not in pain and the growth isn't life threatening let her live out her life. The dog probably thinks she is normal since it's not bothering her, it's the humans who have the problem with it. |
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| Deleted User | Nov 27 2010, 06:11 AM Post #4 |
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Fuzzy - that was exactly what we asked the Canadian vet and he said she had to be in pain given the condition of her teeth. But cats hide it really well.....so its not noticeable....that's exactly the dilemma. I don't want her to live in pain, but I fear losing her... |
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| angora | Nov 27 2010, 06:17 AM Post #5 |
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WWS Book Club Coordinator
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Has any vet warned you that she would be unlikely to survive the operation? I know with my relatively young TA - he has a heart murmur and the vet and I decided that the likelihood of him dying under anesthetic was strong. So we wait. And yes, those rotten teeth do pain the animal. Id check the prognosis for the op against the pain Pandora is undergoing and decide with my heart. Good luck whatever you decide. |
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| FuzzyO | Nov 27 2010, 08:13 AM Post #6 |
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I agree that animals can be very stoic when it comes to pain, but if you have always lived with cats you will know that change in behaviour provides the clue when something is wrong. |
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| Deleted User | Nov 27 2010, 11:58 AM Post #7 |
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Fuzzy and Angora - When Pandora came to us in 1998, she had been badly abused...indeed she was taken from her owners under a court order and was about to be euthanized. She weighed under 3 pounds and she was thought to be about 3 years old. She was terrified of humans. She would not let us touch her for almost two years. When her fur grew in and we discovered she was a long haired Himalayan, we used to have to capture her in a cage and take her to the vet to be groomed, as she wouldn't allow us or a regular groomer to touch her. She has always been "difficult" even as she progressed from not allowing herself to be touched to sleeping every night under my chin, and being very demanding of attention and loving being combed and brushed. If I relied on my gut alone, I would say she isn't in pain. I have seen no difference in her behavior. But I have 4 reputable vets telling me she needs this dental work, one a Canadian who had nothing to gain from his reccomendation. We did have bloodwork done last week, and she is said to be in good health. That's why I do not know what to do. |
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| angora | Nov 27 2010, 12:47 PM Post #8 |
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WWS Book Club Coordinator
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I dont envy you, begete and though I'd like to help and provide an answer I dont think anyone can make this decision but you. I can tell how much you love Pandora and I guess that's the key. You'll do what's right for her. ((hugs)) |
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| TexasCountryGal | Nov 27 2010, 01:52 PM Post #9 |
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If there is a veterinary medical school at a university near by I would recommend you get an opinion from them. |
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| FuzzyO | Nov 27 2010, 02:10 PM Post #10 |
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I think Angora is correct, you will end up doing what is most right. |
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| eraser | Nov 27 2010, 02:54 PM Post #11 |
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Ask Pandora and listen for her answer. You'll hear it in your heart.
Edited by eraser, Nov 27 2010, 02:54 PM.
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| Deleted User | Nov 30 2010, 06:47 AM Post #12 |
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Just to let you all know.....I cancelled Pandora's tooth cleaning. I am just too worried about losing her....and she is eating and drinking well. My friend who runs a cat blog said if she wasn't eating, that would be a sign that her teeth realy hurt her. |
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| FuzzyO | Nov 30 2010, 07:55 AM Post #13 |
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I'm glad you were able to come to a decision that you are comfortable with. Please give Pandora my fond regards. Becky and I are off to the vet tomorrow. I have just found a suspicious lesion under her earflap. |
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| eraser | Nov 30 2010, 08:08 AM Post #14 |
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I think you made the right decision. |
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| Deleted User | Nov 30 2010, 08:19 AM Post #15 |
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Thanx everyone. Fuzzy - I am not really comfortable with the decision, but I just cannot bear the thought of losing her. I just hope I am not putting off the inevitable and that she will eventually show herself to be in pain and need the anesthesia when she is even older and it is riskier.... |
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