Vet opinions

[michael j]

My dog (9 month old Staffie) is going to the vet tomorrow for an Xray on his back leg. He knackered his cruciate ligament about 7 weeks ago and despite our best efforts (always on the lead, no games etc) it refuses to heal properly. The vet wants to Xray him to see why it wont heal and for that, the dog needs to be sedated. What are the risks of the anesthetic? How complicated is the op, if he needs it (dont worry I wont be doing it myself ), as the vet has spoken about referring him to a specialist.
Thanks
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Ducati 996

[Rookie]

Stinkwheel is definitely the one to talk to here, but a quick dig showed that in a study of sedated dogs:

7% - hypotension (low blood pressure)
2.5% - cardiac dysrhythmias (heart palpitations?)
1.2% - transfusions
1.3% - Hypercapnea (excess carbon dioxide)
0.5% - Hypoxemia (low oxygen)

Overall complications - 12%

Overall deaths as a result - 0.43%

[stinkwheel]

There is always an element of risk with any sedative/anaesthetic.

In a young, healthy animal, this risk is very minimal. Put it this way, I have been in practice for five years and I have never lost a dog as a direct result of an anaesthetic. It will happen at some point but it is uncommon.

There is always the potential for there to be something wrong with the animal that couldn't reasonably be detected beforehand such as an odd electrical problem with the heart or suchlike.

You will be asked to sign a consent from giving the vet permission to carry out the anaesthetic stating that you understand the above, they should also explain it to you. Don't be worried if they suggest a full general anaesthetic as opposed to a sedative. In many ways a GA is safer than a heavy sedative as you have full control of the animals breathing and airway.

I would definately be sedating a staffy to x-ray its knee joint, they are so wriggly that there is no way you could get it to lie in the right positions for the views you need.

The op is fairly specialised, there are several ways of doing it but the most common these days involves passing a graft of joint capsule material through the middle of the knee joint and attaching it on the far side using a special graft passing tool to form a replacement ligament. It is one of those that you really need to have been shown exactly how to do so if there isn't a vet at your local practice who takes a spoecial interest in orthopaedic surgery, it would be common practice to referr it to someone who does.

There is an added complication in that at 9 months, your dogs bones may not have stopped growing fully (although they probably have). This is obvious on an x-ray.

It can take a fair while to recover from cruciate surgery and may well require a period of enforced cage rest, but in a young dog like that, it is certainly worthwhile. There will be a large wound over the knee and quite a bit of pain and swelling after the op.

There is also a chance of complications during and after the op (ranging from failure of the graft, to infection of the joint), again, these risks should be explained to you. If they aren't, you should feel free to ask.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[michael j]

Thanks, at least I know what to expect now. Does sound a bit worrying tho'.....
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Ducati 996

[stinkwheel]

Put it this way. If your vet didn't think it was a good idea, they wouldn't be suggesting it.

I am sure most vets are like me in that if they are going to attempt something they think is particularly risky, they will make a point of ensuring you are fully aware of the fact so it doesn't come as a surprise if something does go wrong.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[michael j]

Thanks Stinkwheel
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Ducati 996

[ZRX61]

The bigger of my 2 pups had ACL surgery last year: $1500......

[michael j]

Well, he definately needs the surgery. Any ideas how much its gonna cost in the uk? Stinkwheel, do you do BCF discounts?
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Ducati 996

[stinkwheel]

No, but neither do I do anterior cruciate ligament repairs.

Anyway, you just got a free consult. That's worth £12.50.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[michael j]

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Ducati 996