Couple of Vet Questions

[SaddlePsych'D]

Vet will also be consulted, we have a check up coming up soon; I am looking for others' experiences/thoughts as, although mainly happy with our Vet practice and they have some degree of Greyhound specialism as they are the practice for local breed rescue, I know we need to advocate for our pets a bit more sometimes.

First is teeth - last check up vet nurse thought teeth were quite good, I'm not sure I agree when it comes to lower fronts as there's quite a bit of gum recession despite regular brushing and daily plaque off. What's changed since then is that Ivy has started making a bit of a mess when she eats and I'm wondering if she's a bit sore somewhere in her mouth. She had a cow's ear to chew a while ago and it wasn't a hard chew but I did notice some blood (not necessarily unusual) and that for a period of time after she was showing preference for her kibble to be wet so she could kind of gulp it down rather than chew. This might have been anxiety related as we had a couple of hot air balloon incidents (i.e., they had the audacity to fly within view of our windows) and she was being a bit weird about eating in general around that time. For a long time after we first had her it was usual for her to basically inhale her food, it took a good while to relax enough to chew!

So thoughts are to get her in for scale and polish because I think there's enough there to suspect the teeth and need to be able to get a proper exam of them?

Second is one of her feet and seeing as she'd go under GA for teeth anyway, wondering about getting x-ray of it?

The foot thing has been going on for ages. I have spoken to vet and physio about it previously. There's nothing of obvious concern - they didn't think broken and she is not lame on it. The physio treated for muscle tear in iliopsoas on that side. I only notice it because she snatches it away from me when I'm trimming her nails which I do with her laying flat out on her side. Something about me moving the toes back so that I can get to each nail, particularly when I'm trying to get to the inside toe. She doesn't yelp or growl, though I'm not keen to test it too far, but today I definitely saw her tense her snoot muscles when I moved the toes.

 

[Clodagh]

I certainly wouldn’t be happy about blood with a chew like an ear. I agree scale and polish needed.
The feet, I don’t know. I assume everyone is happy she’s fine? Are you sure it’s not just her not liking her feet handled? Is she ok with the others?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I certainly wouldn’t be happy about blood with a chew like an ear. I agree scale and polish needed.
The feet, I don’t know. I assume everyone is happy she’s fine? Are you sure it’s not just her not liking her feet handled? Is she ok with the others?

Yes vet and physio didn't pick anything up. She's not wild about me handling her feet but will allow me to. The suspect one is noticeable that she will snatch it away much quicker and will sit up and put her face by my hand. No growling but does seem to say 'stay away'.

 

[Clodagh]

Yes vet and physio didn't pick anything up. She's not wild about me handling her feet but will allow me to. The suspect one is noticeable that she will snatch it away much quicker and will sit up and put her face by my hand. No growling but does seem to say 'stay away'.

Maybe an ex racer is just bound to have some changes in her weight bearing extremes and there’s nothing to be gained looking too deep? What would x rays tell you? As a less discerning owner I’d go for the if she is sound not to worry approach.

 

[Amymay Again]

Many dogs don’t like their feet being touched.

 

[KEK]

If she’s lame/seems uncomfortable on pressing the pad check for corns. And yes to the dental.

 

[skinnydipper]

Could it be a problem elsewhere that is causing sensitivity in her paw?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Could it be a problem elsewhere that is causing sensitivity in her paw?

Possibly. I'm wondering about the lower part of her leg.

Maybe an ex racer is just bound to have some changes in her weight bearing extremes and there’s nothing to be gained looking too deep? What would x rays tell you? As a less discerning owner I’d go for the if she is sound not to worry approach.

Tbh I'm not sure what xrays would tell which was maybe a bit why I wanted to ask on here about it. I suppose worry that she could have a degree of pain/discomfort but be hiding it well, or that it could lead to a further injury when running hard. The other thing is it's also getting near impossible to keep a couple of the nails on that foot trimmed. She came to us with them already overgrown and I have been really working on getting the quicks to recede so that she can stand up on her foot/toes properly.

Dental pre-op appointment is booked for Friday this week so we'll get that bit sorted and then I will mention the leg/foot thing again.

 

[skinnydipper]

Possibly. I'm wondering about the lower part of her leg.

As she will be having a GA anyway, maybe ask the vet if it would be worth having lumbosacral spine and hip Xray.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Quick update here after the dental pre op appointment. We're booked in for a scale and polish in a couple of weeks, and while under GA they will see if any extractions are needed. We agreed probably it could wait a bit longer but also why wait for her to have more discomfort if we're starting to suspect that's what is starting to happen now.

They will also have more of an investigate of her foot. It was the same discussion today really, in that there's nothing of immediate concern. The vet did comment on one of the toe nails being wonky. They are going to investigate more closely when she is under GA and I will remind them of this when I drop her off on the day.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Today's the day for Ivy to go in for her teeth. She's unimpressed with not getting breakfast this morning. I feel a bit anxious about it and have to keep reminding myself she's just going in for her teeth not actual surgery.

Any tips for caring for post GA hound? I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[skinnydipper]

Today's the day for Ivy to go in for her teeth. She's unimpressed with not getting breakfast this morning. I feel a bit anxious about it and have to keep reminding myself she's just going in for her teeth not actual surgery.

Any tips for caring for post GA hound? I'm not sure what to expect.

Agree to IV fluids if asked and if not asked then request them. Not only to support the kidneys but she will also recover more quickly from the GA.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Agree to IV fluids if asked and if not asked then request them. Not only to support the kidneys but she will also recover more quickly from the GA.

Thank you, they went through this on the consent form. If I understood correctly they will monitor her during procedure and give IV fluid if needed. The vet nurse seemed to think that was unlikely as procedure just for dental but asked my consent for IV fluids just in case. I declined the pre op bloods as she is otherwise healthy and they didn't think it was indicated. Not sure if that was the right choice but again as only for dental thought not necessary.

 

[skinnydipper]

Dogs can suffer from kidney dysfunction following anaesthetic, I don't know if it is dependent on the length of time they are under anaesthesia.

 

[skinnydipper]

"In addition, studies have shown that 0.9%–2.0% of all patients that receive general anesthesia will develop kidney dysfunction 7–14 days after anesthesia. This risk is significantly reduced in patients that receive intravenous fluid therapy with their surgery. Although 98% of all pets will have no problem, your veterinarian's goal is to eliminate that unknown 2%. For these reasons, all surgery patients should receive intravenous catheterization and fluid therapy."

Anesthesia for Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals

Learn about anesthesia for dogs. VCA Animal Hospital offers professional guidance to help you ensure the health and happiness of your pet.

vcahospitals.com

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

"In addition, studies have shown that 0.9%–2.0% of all patients that receive general anesthesia will develop kidney dysfunction 7–14 days after anesthesia. This risk is significantly reduced in patients that receive intravenous fluid therapy with their surgery. Although 98% of all pets will have no problem, your veterinarian's goal is to eliminate that unknown 2%. For these reasons, all surgery patients should receive intravenous catheterization and fluid therapy."

Anesthesia for Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals

Learn about anesthesia for dogs. VCA Animal Hospital offers professional guidance to help you ensure the health and happiness of your pet.

vcahospitals.com

I wish I'd read up on it a bit more. It was a bit stressful getting to the vets to pick her up, then they brought her out before I'd paid and booked the follow up appointment, and she was unsettled in the reception so I really just wanted to get her home. So I didn't ask if they ended up using the IV fluids. They did say she woke up well and had eaten a bit before I picked her up.

She is home now and feeling a bit sorry for herself having had all four of her lower incisors extracted. Not hugely surprising as these were the cause for most concern. Despite our regular brushing we couldn't keep on top of them compared with the rest of her teeth which apparently are in good condition and now very clean.

She's eaten her dinner of softened kibble and scrambled egg with gusto though and has settled straight down on her bed.

 

[skinnydipper]

Now she is home you can both relax, she will soon be back to normal.

 

[Clodagh]

ke

I wish I'd read up on it a bit more. It was a bit stressful getting to the vets to pick her up, then they brought her out before I'd paid and booked the follow up appointment, and she was unsettled in the reception so I really just wanted to get her home. So I didn't ask if they ended up using the IV fluids. They did say she woke up well and had eaten a bit before I picked her up.

She is home now and feeling a bit sorry for herself having had all four of her lower incisors extracted. Not hugely surprising as these were the cause for most concern. Despite our regular brushing we couldn't keep on top of them compared with the rest of her teeth which apparently are in good condition and now very clean.

She's eaten her dinner of softened kibble and scrambled egg with gusto though and has settled straight down on her bed.

I’m sure your vet would have recommended it if they thought it necessary so please don’t beat yourself up. Well done on the teeth, your brushing must be working on the whole.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Glad that it’s all done and that she’s home .

A cat not a dog, but our 12 yo cat had 3 teeth out six days ago under GA and is doing grand.

She was rather out of it the evening that she came home, although she ate her tea with gusto. She’s had the first of her post op checks with the second to come on Thursday after she’s finished the loxicom and antibiotics.

I made a thread about her, and also the issue of owners being left to decide whether to pay extra to have pre op bloods run and IV fluids during the op. I was more prepared this time as I was very surprised to be asked about it when the late JRT had his dental, I’d assumed that both were standard. Btw he sailed through the op aged about 12.

Also the vet last week did all the post op discussion and payment etc before she brought the cat out, so no having to wrangle reception with a post op animal, I was able to take her straight to the car and home.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

ke

I’m sure your vet would have recommended it if they thought it necessary so please don’t beat yourself up. Well done on the teeth, your brushing must be working on the whole.

We're doing okay with them, a bit disappointing as she is only 5 and she'd had her teeth cleaned under GA just before we got her aged 2. A shame we didn't do a better job with those ones but then I understand that Greyhounds in general don't have great teeth.

Glad that it’s all done and that she’s home .

A cat not a dog, but our 12 yo cat had 3 teeth out six days ago under GA and is doing grand.

She was rather out of it the evening that she came home, although she ate her tea with gusto. She’s had the first of her post op checks with the second to come on Thursday after she’s finished the loxicom and antibiotics.

I made a thread about her, and also the issue of owners being left to decide whether to pay extra to have pre op bloods run and IV fluids during the op. I was more prepared this time as I was very surprised to be asked about it when the late JRT had his dental, I’d assumed that both were standard. Btw he sailed through the op aged about 12.

Also the vet last week did all the post op discussion and payment etc before she brought the cat out, so no having to wrangle reception with a post op animal, I was able to take her straight to the car and home.

I will look for your thread. Now I think about it, I think I may have read it and didn't think about looking it up before today. I wish they had brought up the bloods and fluids at the pre op appointment not when doing the paperwork dropping her off this morning. Again in the waiting area, someone came in with their cat meowing in it's box so then I had got a very alert Ivy to watch while trying to take in the consent form information. When it came to the bloods and IV fluids, I'm happy to take their guidance and think well if she medically needs it then of course she will have it. It's the first time taking her in and having to leave her for anything so I think I didn't navigate it all as well as I would have liked.

 

[Clodagh]

How is she this morning?
Another time (heaven forbid!) maybe go in and do all the paperwork and leave her in the car until she is needed? And when I’m going I always put mine away then come back in and pay.

 

[limestonelil]

Agree to IV fluids if asked and if not asked then request them. Not only to support the kidneys but she will also recover more quickly from the GA.

 

[limestonelil]

Sorry. Fat fingers new phone didn't mean to post anything.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

How is she this morning?
Another time (heaven forbid!) maybe go in and do all the paperwork and leave her in the car until she is needed? And when I’m going I always put mine away then come back in and pay.

Better this morning. She was unsettled last night so OH was up with her for a bit. Fireworks didn't help the situation! She came trotting into our room as usual when alarms went off this morning and she was enthusiastic about her breakfast. Not keen to go out with OH for her walk so I will try again in a bit. She drank a lot of water when she woke up which is good as I don't think she drank anything yesterday evening.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Success! We've had our morning walk and she was a really keen bean - I could hardly keep up with her as she cruised along with extra bouncy ears and swingy tail. She's eaten, drank water and been to the toilet so I think we're doing well with recovery so far. I'm home most of the day for work just in case but she seems to be much happier and settled today.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just under a week on. We rescheduled our follow up to next Friday as I was unwell from my vaccinations when we supposed to go Friday just gone. I've been able to do one round of careful teeth brushing avoiding the front. She will now let me look and the gums seem to have healed nicely.

I think those teeth/gums must have been really bothering her before because once she recovered this week, she's been on better form than I think we've seen in a long time