My 15 year old dog is having dental treatment next week. She has a heart murmer. I am worried about the anaesthetic.    Has anyone had the same problem, and hopefully give me some reassurance. Thanks.

My advice would be to discuss your concerns about the anaesthetic, and any pre med to be used, with the Vet well in advance of the time you will be requested to sign the consent form. If your breed has any particular problems with anaesthesia or certain pre meds be aware of these and again discuss with your Vet. Many dogs with heart murmurs undergo anaesthesia and in a modern Veterinary Practice they will be properly monitored throughout the operation.

Mine has a healthy heart but had a the main large tooth removed (abscessed) in July at 14 1/2.

Your vet will be aware of the heart issue and monitor.  I am sure they have weighed up the need for the procedure (what would her life be without) versus the risks.

Have you discussed the possibility of having the procedure done under heavy sedation and local anaesthetic rather than a general?  

Thanks.  I will ask my vet about sedation, seems like a good alternative.

What does he need doing? If any teeth are to be removed it couldn't be done under sedation.

sedation is not always better as it is easier to reverse a GA than a sedation in case of problems.
Aileen

Why does this idea persist? Everyone who's watched a wildlife programme has seen how quickly sedated wild animals recover when they're injected with the anti-sedative drug - they're up and running, albeit rather drunkenly, within a couple of minutes at most.

Its what my vet has told me on many occasions. Of course it will depend on the sedation used. Ketamine is often used on wild animals, not so much on our dogs. A reversal agent is used to bring an animal round from most sedations, not so with a GA.
With a GA it is a quicker job to cut the gas and up the oxygen to effect a quick recovery.
This is what I have been let to believe but I am happy to be proved wrong.
Aileen

My old boy had an eye removed last July at 13. Came through it fine although I did discuss it with my vet before. Hope your oldie recovers well

It might give you more piece of mind if you get the pre-op blood tests done.

I've had elderly dogs undergo operations over the years.  Whenever I've voiced concerns my vet has always said that they use safe drugs nowadays (in comparison to years ago.)  He has always said that there is a risk with any anaesthetic, but the only dog he has ever lost had no health problems, and it was not expected, so a shock to him even.

My late Bearded Collie had 13 teeth out at 14 years old.  I just fed her on mush for a while.  :-)

I've been in the operating theatre at the veterinary hospital when I've had a dog in there very ill, and I was so impressed by the monitoring that went on, I was very reassured.

There's no reason why teeth can't be removed under heavy sedation, and with underlying health problems, especially cardiac or respiratory a GA may well be contraindicated. Sedation doesn't require intubation which is the main concern in elderly animals as their respiratory drive can be slow to take back over. It's also a myth that a GA is more easily reversed......the vet may be happy going ahead under GA knowing the full clinical history and as long as the OP is then that's great. 

Unfortunately there isn't any way to completely safely anaesthetise. There is always a mortality risk though thankfully it's a lot lower than it used to be and continues to improve. The risk-benefit question is indisputable in oral care......if he needs teeth out then it's a must.

Isn't sedation given anyway before a GA?

Not always, light sedation is sometimes given as a 'premed'.

My 13 year old has a Grade 4 murmer, and has recently had to have a tail amputation. I queried the risk with our vet, who said that she was confident that she could get her through it. She was groggy for a little longer than a younger dog would have been, but has been absolutely fine since.

Have found that dogs take longer to recover from sedation than GA - would be advised by your vet they carry the responsibility and will wish to do as they think best. So if you trust your vet follow their suggestions, if not change your vet. Sure all will be well.

Thank you very much everyone for very helpful advice. I am feeling a little more reassured now. Will keep you informed of outcome.

My 10yo has a lump which was FNA-ed in the past and came back as benign.  It has developed into a sore which won't heal and keeps bleeding. 

We are really reluctant to give her a GA, especially as her liver enzymes are raised and surely her liver is going to have to process the drugs.  But we might have no choice... at the moment she is just wearing T-shirts constantly to stop her licking it.

Hi Rabid,

Have you had the wound swabbed? It may be that it is colonised with bacteria...there are various strains that will stop a wound from healing without causing systemic infection....may be worth a go to see if there's a non surgical remedy?

Rabid, Have you tried veterinary grade Manuka honey on the sore?  Providing there is no infection it should work wonders.  It is easily bought online and comes in a tube.

Reply to jollypolly & rabid
We had our 16 year old(17 end of Feb) operated on back in the summer. Not something we would do lightly but she had a lump on her inner thigh which gradually got bigger grape sized) & then burst. It was a case of operate or say goodbye. She was far too fit & not ready to go, so she was operated on. She came through without a hitch & when we picked her up, she was more spritely than other much younger ones. We wish we had done it whilst the lump was smaller (pea sized)...hyndsight is a wonderfull thing!

The good news is that all went well with anaesthetic, in fact she wasn't groggy at all and seemed amazingly well. The bad news is that the vet found a lump on her gum,which has been sent for biopsy. Will be getting result next Tuesday. Fingers crossed!

Hopefully it's only an Epulis (aka Gum Boil).

Thanks for updating.  I'm glad that reassurances given helped you make the decision to go ahead.

Let us know when you get the result.  Sending positive vibes.  :-)

Bad news I'm afraid.  Biopsy result showed a squamous cell carcinoma of lower jaw. At her age I am not considering surgery,it would be too traumatic for her. So for the time being treatment is painkillers. At the moment she is pain free, but the time will come when the hard decision will have to be made. I fear that time will be soon.

I am so very, very sorry to hear this news.  Enjoy what time you have left with her.  Be strong.

{{  HUGS  }}