Canine dental dilemma -- Can the vet give my old dog novocaine instead of

[henslee]

putting her under to pull an infected tooth and do a cleaning? she is a bit fragile and has respiratory issues... but she does need some teeth pulled, soon. One looks a bit rotten. Any ideas/

[napi21]

1. I don't think so. You can imagine how afraid your dog would be

and a dog's natural instinct is to bite when they feel threatened.

Dod you talk to your vet? I am a volunteer foster mom for Bichons, and about 2 years ago, I had a darling little girl, age 12, and a serious heart problem, desperately needed dental work. I expressed the same concerns about her being able to survive anesthesia. The vet said the tooth problems would kill her before anything else! I had the surgury don INCLUDING the anesthesia, and she was fine.

I'd suggest talking to your vet about it. If it's just a very quick, single extraction, they may be able to use something very mild that will not affect her as much.

[henslee]

5. thanks napi.... and thanks everyone. I will be speaking to vet. My dog

has just been through a hernia operation.... and then some respiratory/heart problems which seem like they are almost behind her. I will explore possibilites.... DU is a great place for advice.

[philosophie_en_rose]

2. Ask your vet about different kinds of anesthesia

According to my vet, there are a few different varieties of sleeping gas. Some are easier on older dogs.

[hlthe2b]

3. No, the dog has to be "unconscious" to clean the teeth...

they intubate (put a tube down her throat) to prevent her accidentally inhaling water or debris during the cleaning.

However, there are many choices in short acting and safer anesthetics for the older dog. It is important that they do some routine bloodwork to see what issues there may be with kidney/liver function and a thorough physical exam. That will help them choose the safest combinations for him, some which can be reversed with specific drugs. Modern veterinary medicine includes the ability to use essentially the same choices of drugs as for humans and the same monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc. If you have an experienced veterinarian with well trained technician staff (preferably certified veterinary technicians), I think your dog will be in very good hands.

[Gyre]

4. Quit feeding her human shit-food.

She's not going to tell you to stop it any more than my 4 year old is going to tell me to stop feeding her sugar-laden crap.

Gyre

[henslee]

6. You are preaching to the choir, Gyre. She is on a strict canine diet of

a Innova dogfood for seniors. She does not even get snacks... except for a non fat liver treat. keeping her weight down is key to keeping her healthy.

[undeterred]

7. Dogs and people can have teeth go bad

without being "guilty" of a "shit-food" diet. And if they have been eating "shit-food", stopping it now doesn't help the animal who needs a tooth pulled.

Nice way to talk to someone who is worried about a procedure for their elderly pet.