Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: Whatsupwiththis on June 28, 2020, 03:21:14 PM
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My old fella is going on 14 but needs major dental work. The cost is outrageous but he is a family member so money is just paper. The problem is putting him under for this procedure. I have been searching about anesthesia in older dogs and appears fairly safe but I would appreciate anyone's thoughts. He is in pain😢
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Usually after the age of 9 years there is a blood test to make sure that the kidneys can deal with the anasethtic. [pity I can't spell >:(]. Do ring the Surgery tomorrow and discuss. It doesn't take long and my cat: aged 17 : had several removed. She rushed in after I got her home and gobbled up dinner like there was no tomorrow! Of course. I worried. A lot :-\. But I have had tooth ache and no way could I let her remain in pain.
Is he well in himself? Get them to give a deep dental clean at the same time ......... what's the cost?
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Thx CLKD. Cost CDN $1,362 (for starters). He does have hip problems and this causes him grief as well. Overall he is in good health (fingers crossed). I just am concerned at his age anesthesia can do serious harm. I am beside myself with worry but can't deal seeing him in so much pain. Was it worth it for your kitty? Would you do it again knowing the complications?
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Yep. and Yep. Having had severe period pains for many years, plus dental pain ....... then neuralgia : no way would I leave a pet in pain. Anaesthesia is so much improved these days. I always made sure that I said 'goodbye' in case ;). The hardest part was 'starved after midnight' ;D when they were used to supper.
There is a UK Product - Metacam - which our Vets prescribe for joint pain. Drops onto the food according to the weight of the pet. It made a huge difference to my cocker at the age of 10.
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I don't think you have much choice. You can't leave him in pain so it's either PTS or get it done. Dogs are regularly put under GA and you don't hear of many disasters. Might be worth asking if they'd do it under a local though I'd expect not. If it's any consolation I spent ?2500 on mine with a life expectancy of 6 months (bone cancer) but she's still here after 18. Enjoy your dog's old age, mine is unlikely to make it there.
Metacam - yes, I think vets have shares in the manufacturer. It doesn't matter what species or what condition they always seem to prescribe Metacam.
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Forgot to say my old dog went under to remove cancerous lumps. Survived the op fine but the cancer got her. Unsure of age as she was a rescue but definitely old.
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Metacam and another pain relieving drug are prescribed. They work which is why they are suggested. When she underwent chemotherapy she had to stop the Metacam due to it affecting the absorption of the chemicals. The other drug, name escapes me :-\, has side effects though ? Rimadyl ? but she did OK with it.
Let us know how you get on. The Vet should suggest that there is a blood test for kidneys prior to GA.
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They give you metacam for sheep with a prolapse too.
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:o. How does that work? Weigh the sheep first ::) ......... to relieve pain in the muscles? Does it work?
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Thx so much ladies. He is taking Medicam but doing nothing. I am so sorry to all of you. My heart breaks...yes he will have full blood work. Thx again for the reassurance. It's so hard on them and of course us pet moms.
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It's an anti inflammatory too CLKD so it's supposed to reduce the swelling so the sheep is less likely to keep pushing it out. It worked for the latest one but made no difference to last year's.
I hope it goes well Whatsupwiththis.
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They feel pain. They don't worry about a GA or treatment. Some don't like going to the Vet Surgery but it's for their own good ;). I was the World's most Neurotic Dog Owner ever :'( she sneezed we were at the door; she coughed ......... :-\
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Any news?
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Surgery scheduled for July 17. In the meantime my sweet old boy is on a ton of pain killers. Vet assured me my boy will make it through. A part of me is relieved and a part of me is petrified but that's life. Thx for asking.
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Was the blood test offered, if not, maybe ask for it? It shows kidney function in aged pets and is a guide as to how the anaesthetic might affect them.
Is it tablets, gel or liquids as pain relief? When mine had chemo therapy, thinly sliced ham was the thing she would eat with a pill wrapped in. I did try sausage but too many made her sick up the tablet which I wasn't supposed to handle ::). Cheese did the same. Sometimes I would find the pill under the radiator and wonder which day she had managed to spit it out!
:hug:
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How's old dog this week ?
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Hi CLKD. He is having surgery on Friday.😥 Crossing fingers all goes well.
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Oh will cross everything. How is he in himself? Taking the tablets without spitting them under the carpet ?
xx
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😂 no but he tries to bite my hand....but I admit I haven't checked under the carpet.
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Years++ ago I 'babysat' dogs. One settled really well. I returned home with shopping and left the bags on the floor. A few weeks later our electrician was doing some work upstairs - he had found, under a carpet, two sticks of kitkat ;D. She had eaten 2 and carried the others up [or carried two up and then down to eat the rest]. She never told me and I didn't find any silver paper ...........
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I hope all goes well for your poor old dog, i had to take one of my cats during lockdown she was pawing at her mouth and crying, i sent the vet a video of her being in so much pain, cost me a fortune but couldn't leave her like that,she is 12, but had an older cat have all her teeth out at 16, no other choice except put to sleep. couldn't do that,she too came home and ate biscuits after a few hours,as did this one
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Thx jaycee. I needed assurance. It's very expensive but I'm the one he has to rely on. I'll post 2morrow. Thx. Again ladies.
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Mine 2 cats cost me 300.00 pounds each in Vet's bills in the last 3/4 months of Life, up until then, pretty much healthy. So costs evened out over the years.
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Whatsup. tell me about it,[the expense] the cat i mentioned is only 1 of 2 the other who is also 12 had 3 teeth out just before her,i am still paying the bill, plus meds for one of them as her gums always inflamed,,
I asked if she could have a liquid instead of tablets, as might be easier to get it into her, tried all sorts with tablets, crushing them into food. /milk, all sorts, was told i would have to have another consultation, what? for just exchanging type of meds, [same only liquid]
I really think it is a money making thing, another ?32 just to swap meds, for the same problem, vets didn't used to charge for ongoing conditions, now it's everytime you go,plus prices for medicine etc,
I am not surprised some people find it difficult to pay vets fees,
All my animals have always been insured, but doesn't count for dental problems
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I think Vet companies have changed heart, certainly one paid a consultation fee and anything extra, but removal of sutures were included in the initial charge.
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IMO it's insurance that's caused the problem. There used to be a difference in how they were treated, insured animals had every test under the sun, uninsured ones had those they actually needed. Now that most animals are insured they just charge what they like anyway. Unsurprisingly the cost of insurance has gone through the roof. Most vets now are owned by big companies that are motivated by profit. At ours the cost has gone up while the quality of the vets has gone down.
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I notice that many are tied in with dog food companies ........ :-\
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Received bad news....he is full of cancer. Oral...vet said they go very quickly. I'm going to pick him up and bring him home and baby him till time to say goodbye. I am devastated. I wasn't expecting this.
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:'(. he won't know that he is ill. He will feel tired which for animals is 'normal'. They sleep more and eventually pass away. When I knew mine was terminal I made sure that I could have her put to sleep at home and contacted the pet crem. 2 find out what the procedure would be.
Every day will be a bonus. :hug:. Take photos. Lots of cuddles. If he wants cream on his cereal ;-). Warm custard to lap can be a way of keeping him hydrated. Pain relief will be important.
What breed is he?
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I'm so, so sorry Whatsupwiththis. So sad.
Keep cuddling him, he knows you love him.
xx
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Thx. for all your kind words. He is a rescue and a sweet boy. My heart is broken!
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Of course. I ache for you. Been there etc..
"If it should be that ........... "
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I'm so sorry. I had a similar experience, mine was referred to a specialist for a cruciate ligament repair, turned out it was bone cancer. It's such a shock when you're not expecting it. Make the most of the time you have left. Your dog doesn't know what's coming but will enjoy being spoiled. In one way they're better off than us as you can make sure he doesn't suffer.
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Whatsup, i am so sorry, i have just caught up, i can empathise, re the shock, i had to have my lovely girl put to sleep last year,and still not got over it,
Just took her to the vets for more tablets, [she had dementia] and he said i had to let her go, she had also gone blind literally overnight,
#I was so shocked i said no, she can't have, and brought her home for one last night,which i now feel very guilty about, she slept on my bed with me, but must have got down,as that night she had bumped into everything and caught her crying at 4 am, trying to get behind a radiator, so had to take her back straight away,
I have her ashes and often talk to her, even though that sounds silly,
Just give her lots of cuddles and make the best of her time left with you,
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jaycee - what Vets don't tell us and what I learned much later, is that dogs try to find somewhere to shelter so that they can pass away. Mine wanted to be in the garden that particular night, had I know I would have gone with her but kept bringing her back inside :'(. It was in Feb and not particularly cold or wet :-\
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Thank you all so much. When she told me my sweet boy had cancer I was assuming I would have at least a few more months with him. She told me it would be weeks not months. He is still active and loves his dog walks with his buddies that it's seems absurd he only has weeks.😢 I think I will foster and see how it goes. Still having problems wrapping my head around it and, of course, VA acting up. One day at a time I guess.
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That's an educated guess as they just don't know. Mine was given 3-6 months but is still here and chasing sheep 18 months on. I'm starting to regret spoiling her, particularly sharing my food! We got another one after the diagnosis because she's a working collie and we'd be too long without one if we waited til she passed, it's getting on for a year before a pup is useful. But she isn't a family dog she mine, or rather I'm hers and she doesn't want to share me. With the benefit of hindsight I would have waited. You know your dog best of course and whether he would welcome some doggie company or not.
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Oh sheila99...so hard isn't it. I would never consider fostering until my sweet boy has crossed over the rainbow bridge. Every day we have them is a bonus. Thx. for sharing.
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It's awful, I really feel for you. I've had months to get used to it but there still times I wake up in the night worrying. It doesn't do my nerves any good, any little sniffle and I think the worst but it's nice to have the chance to do special things with her while she's still feeling well. You've given him a good loving home and that's all any of us can do. Give him a big hug from me.
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I brought a video camera when mine was diagnosed [2001] - haven't looked at the film even now but those memories were made B4 she showed signs of illness.
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How R U feeling ?
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Every day is a bonus, CLKD. Thx for asking. He has had some good days and some not so good. Life...sometimes it sucks!
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It sure does. But he doesn't know he's poorly to any great extent. :foryou:
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Any news or did I miss something :-\