Guest longdogs Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I've been asked to enter Angel in a veterinary research program looking at arthritis in older greyhounds. I would obviously like to assist but the downside is a general anaesthetic prior to the x-rays. I know she'll be thoroughly checked, will be in a veterinary hospital with greyhound specialists and all the rest. She has also had a general anaesthetic in the past when her teeth were last cleaned and all was fine. As a bonus, they will clean her teeth too at low cost. Even so, I have some misgivings at putting her at risk when there is no compelling health reason to do so. What do you think? Chances are she will be fine and other dogs will benefit so I'm worrying unecessarily, but worrying all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cris_M Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 How long do you think it will be before she needs her teeth cleaned again? If it is soon, I would be inclined to go ahead with the study. If Angel doesn't need her teeth cleaned in the near future, can they wait until she does? With studies like this, the entry date can be strict or lenient. Are they giving her the anaesthetic so that they can get the X-rays? If that is the only reason, can they give her more of a "twilight" drug? Seems there would be less risk with that than a full anaesthesia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetcitywoman Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Have they also said how often they'll need to do followup xrays? If they need to do it once a year, for example, do you really want to put her through that (unless you can time it with yearly teeth cleaning or something)? I would assume that if they want one xray up front, it will be a baseline, which means they'll want to do others later down the line to compare changes in the joints. Quote Sharon, Loki, Freyja, Capri (bridge angel and most beloved heart dog), Ajax (bridge angel) and Sweetie Pie (cat) Visit Hound-Safe.com by Something Special Pet Supplies for muzzles and other dog safety products Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I wouldn't do it unless she needs to be put under for some other reason. We've never had to use anaesthesia to get clear x-rays from any of my dogs, including the squirmier ones, including the OFA-hip-like positions. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 How many times will she need xrays done? Are you sure it's full anesthesia or just that "quickie" anesthesia that is reversable or used for very short term tasks...that's less risky that full general anesthesia. If it's full general anesthesia, I would probably pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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