krissn333 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Carrie came to me in April. About a year and a half ago, she had what was determined to be a stroke. Her right side was most affected, but over time she has improved and if you didn't know she'd had a stroke, you wouldn't be able to tell. She turned 12 in May. At her checkup her bloodwork was great, her heart is strong. Her teeth are disgusting though and I think she needs a dental. Of course putting her under makes me nervous, but, I almost think it's necessary at this point...she's got a couple of little tumors that I'd also have removed while she's out. Does anyone have any experience with this? What would you do? We have tried brushing with Vetzlife gel and it really hasn't helped her. It works well on my other pups but I think Carrie's teeth are just too far beyond the point of being helped with it. Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifthounds Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 You didn't say where the tumors are located. Are you talking about growths in her mouth or elsewhere? Did the vet do an x ray of heart and lungs? I would do that at minimum. I put my Comet under at 13 for a toe amp to remove a possibly cancerous tumor. It wasn't ideal at his age, but his bloodwork was clean, his heart and lungs looked good on x ray and his ultrasound showed no abnormalities other than an atrophied prostate. The tumor and the pain made it difficult for him to walk, and it would have gotten worse before it got better. I made the decision that the risk was worth it for hid quality of life. I said my goodbyes and promised him that when he woke, we would treat that time going forward as a bonus and we did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Oh sorry...no the growths are not IN her mouth but she has some on her face near the corner of her mouth, and she has a large lipoma on her neck. It doesn't necessarily NEED to be removed, but if she were under anyway, I'd probably have it removed in case it should decide to grow later on and cause her discomfort. The growths near the corner of her mouth look like large pimples filled with blood. Our vet hasn't looked at them yet, but he's done a needle biopsy on the lipoma. If I were to decide to pursue the dental, she would have bloodwork and chest films before we even made the appointment. I just wondered if anyone had any experience with putting a dog under who has a history of stroke activity. Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Is she on daily aspirin?? If so you should stop prior to the surgery. I would ask your vet to consult with a neuro Dr. It shouldn't cost you anything-- your vet most likely has a working relationship with a referral hospital-- just requires a phonecall. He/she can also consult with an internist from the lab they send the bloods to (Idexx, Antech)--again, no cost to you. You can also ask OSU what their feelings are. Age is not a disease and not should not stop you from going forward with the surgery-- her health is what is important. Clear physical, clean rads and good bloods are the important factosr here. Please keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Nope, she's not on any medications at all. She takes Springtime's join health tabs, that's it. Our vet does all bloodwork in house so it doesn't get sent out or anything. I'm not sure if we have any neuro specialists in our area, but I'm sure our vet would have no problem talking to Dr. Couto about it. He has consulted with him before for Sutra's osteo and for Ace's leukemia. Thanks everyone! I really like that- "age is not a disease"...it's so true! I wish that more people realized this when they are looking to adopt. Carrie acts like a funny puppy most of the time-her goofy leg throws her off kilter sometimes when she runs, but, other than that, she is very energetic Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mbfilby Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 At 12 and with a history of stroke, were this me, I would only risk anesthesia if it were a quality of life issue. Anesthesia makes me nervous even in a young hound though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sja5032 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 What about a dental w/o anesthesia? There used to be someone who did it, I've seen them at expos, the name completely evades me though Maybe talk to your vet or whomever does the actual dental work about maybe trying to do some of the work that needs to be done while awake or partially sedated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eaglflyt Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 A good friend just had her 13 year old grey anesthetized for a dental and multiple extractions. The vet was very experienced with greys and her boy did great. He is much more lively and happy since having his dental done and necessary extractions done. She is also using Petzlife Oral Care Gel now daily to hopefully prevent the need for any future dentals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I debated for a long time about what to do with Chase. She came to me underweight, age 13.5, with teeth rotting out of her mouth. I kept putting off her dental because I wanted to get weight on her, and I was too afraid to put her under. But then her kidney values started to be wonky, so I said what the heck, do the dental. She came through great, and I regretted waiting so long. In her case she really needed the dental (had almost 20 teeth removed), so it was a quality of life issue. I'm sure the teeth were bothering her and hurting her. When she went in for the surgery, I told myself that if she didn't make it, it was worth the risk, she couldn't live with that mouth. She doesn't have a history of strokes (that I know of) but her health status wasn't great. Her vet felt comfortable putting her under though, so that made me feel more comfortable too. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiancasMom Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I suppose it depends on if the "stroke" was a FCE or if it is heart related. I would definitely have her bloodwork rechecked and possibly a cardiology consult. Make sure they keep her on IV fluids during the anesthesia and closely monitor BP, ect. I agree, old age in itself is not a disease and if she is healthy otherwise I would do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 (edited) Ekko just turned 13 a few days ago, but at 12, and after having a stroke, went in for a dental. She had some problems after but that was only due to the vet's inexperience. I didn't want her going under, but she needed that dental badly so I felt it had to be done. Edited July 13, 2011 by CaliforniaGreys Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 Thank you all for your replies...I do think that I will make her an appointment for a presurgical consult where she will have bloodwork and chest films. Her stroke (or whatever it was) was not heart-related that I am aware of. That's the tough part about ending up with a dog who didn't come with much of a medical history other than what her former owner verbalized to me (and this woman is a nurse!)...anytime I asked about what "kind" of stroke, etc, she just said she didn't know. She didn't take Carrie to the ER the night she had her "episode", and says she took her to their regular vet the next morning-but that vet has no info on her other than shot records (she was given that Pro-heart 6 injection back when that came out...*shudder*). She also said that she took her to the Chiro as part of rehab, but, she was only seen once at that office. *sigh* Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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