Thread for Things That Made You Frown Today

[DCSL]

She's got an appointment with my preferred vet this afternoon because she's still lethargic this morning. Not quite as drooly but still much more than usual and exhibiting some throat irritation. They probably intubated her too roughly or something. She's got two different vets, one who is awesome and innovative and kind and another who is... acceptable that I only still use because she's still got another year on her "protection" plan. Means I pay $30 a month but pay nothing when she goes in for routine things like shots, yearly physicals and dental cleanings. They're competent but there's some weird politics involved and the whole place has a nasty corporate money-grubbing feel. I figured they could handle the routine things easily and I could just take her to the good vet for anything outside of the usual.

I'm hoping he'll tell me she's just unusually sensitive to anesthesia and I'm being paranoid.

[diethx]

I hope so too.

[msconstrew]

I'm hoping he'll tell me she's just unusually sensitive to anesthesia and I'm being paranoid.

I know that my dad will often refuse to give anesthesia unless absolutely necessary as animals get older because they do become more sensitive to anesthesia. If she continues to be groggy, you can call your vet and ask for a bag of saline solution and give it to her at home. That should flush it out of her system. Easy, cheap way to do it, too (assuming you are comfortable giving it to her).

[Showal]

She's got an appointment with my preferred vet this afternoon because she's still lethargic this morning. Not quite as drooly but still much more than usual and exhibiting some throat irritation. They probably intubated her too roughly or something. She's got two different vets, one who is awesome and innovative and kind and another who is... acceptable that I only still use because she's still got another year on her "protection" plan. Means I pay $30 a month but pay nothing when she goes in for routine things like shots, yearly physicals and dental cleanings. They're competent but there's some weird politics involved and the whole place has a nasty corporate money-grubbing feel. I figured they could handle the routine things easily and I could just take her to the good vet for anything outside of the usual.

I'm hoping he'll tell me she's just unusually sensitive to anesthesia and I'm being paranoid.

I'm not asking to be an ass, but is your dog overweight?

[DCSL]

She used to be but she was put on a diet a couple of years ago and she slimmed down nicely. She was a 4 (couldn't easily feel the ribs) and now she's definitely a 3 (ribs easily felt but not visible with a defined waist) again. She is a large breed dog, though, being a Bernese Mountain Dog mix.

[Showal]

Also, unless your dog has some sort of dental issue, definitely avoid the yearly cleanings. What's the breed?

My dog needed them annually because when we first got her, she was at risk for going septic because her teeth were that rotted and then the problems continued. So for her, it was a necessity, not a "nicety".

The reason I asked if your dog's overweight is because fat acts like a sponge to anesthetics. This means that more is needed to induce these animals (this applies to people as well), more than weight alone would indicate. As they recover, the fat slowly releases it back into the blood. Combined with normal age related decreased liver and kidney function, you get a slow recovery. There are some very very good anesthetics out there for older animals that are remarkably safe, but of course, they become more specialized and more expensive and most local clinics aren't set up for them because they'd help in less than 1% of cases.

But yeah, back to my original point, if dentals aren't a necessity, try to avoid them. Brush those teeth! And Science Diet makes a special formula that you can get at your vet to help with maintaining clean teeth. I find it works better as treats or mixed in with the regular diet, because it's just too expensive to replace their food outright.

[Overlord]

Doctors infuriate me!! My Grandmother was taken into hospital last night, found unconcious on the floor. Shes struggling with her memory, taking in meals and fluids. Yet because she managed to recite her medical history the Dr found her of sound mind and is letting her stay in her house....clearly at risk. So what... on one hand its ok to send those back to a dangerous environment where they have been removed and taken to hospital multiple times....yet those who are in daily agony and disabled are not allowed to be euthanised? That shit is fucked up and in reverse!!

I am aware of counter arguments and contradictory conditions....I'm just having a rant

[Showal]

Alright, I wrote that before seeing the breed. Dental issues in large breeds are almost unheard of. I say this knowing that my Saint Bernard had horrible dental issues. But you should certainly be able to escape yearly dentals, or dentals entirely. And a 3 is good. It's pretty much ideal, especially when you see everyone's pets coming into clinics these days as 5s, just like the owners.

[Showal]

Doctors infuriate me!! My Grandmother was taken into hospital last night, found unconcious on the floor. Shes struggling with her memory, taking in meals and fluids. Yet because she managed to recite her medical history the Dr found her of sound mind and is letting her stay in her house....clearly at risk. So what... on one hand its ok to send those back to a dangerous environment where they have been removed and taken to hospital multiple times....yet those who are in daily agony and disabled are not allowed to be euthanised? That shit is fucked up and in reverse!!

I am aware of counter arguments and contradictory conditions....I'm just having a rant

Jesus christ, I'm responding to too many medical questions today, but just be happy he didn't label her confused because then no doctor, regardless of how well she's actually doing mentally, would take anything she says seriously again. Did she have a UTI? If she's really starting to go to the hospital with more frequency and you're feeling like her home is unsafe, you should consider having a home safety assessment and a consult for some home health services. The issue for her, if it is falling, may be relieved with something as simple as placing down a few rugs and night lights.

[msconstrew]

Alright, I wrote that before seeing the breed. Dental issues in large breeds are almost unheard of. I say this knowing that my Saint Bernard had horrible dental issues. But you should certainly be able to escape yearly dentals, or dentals entirely. And a 3 is good. It's pretty much ideal, especially when you see everyone's pets coming into clinics these days as 5s, just like the owners.

Yeah, I agree with this. Yearly cleanings are (in Dr. Jerry's veterinary opinion) a way for vets to make money on a sometimes-unnecessary procedure. He does cleanings when they're clearly indicated, but otherwise does not recommend them to clients.