Pre-operative Bloodwork?

[mjpeter]

Luke's going to be neutered/microchipped/x-rayed next month, and I was wondering if anyone has opinions/experiences with the option of pre-anesthesia/operative bloodwork? I'd like to do what's best for him, but also try to keep costs reasonable. Is it really necessary for a pup? I can see it being more valuable for an older dog. They also gave us an option of accepting or declining IV support. Also, at an extra charge. Thanks for any help!

[mojozen]

Pre-op bloodwork can be a useful thing because it allows the vet to look for any abnormalties that could make anaesthesia difficult to take or to wake your dog up out of. Sometimes those types fo things can only be known via bloodwork.

We actually do it for our pet hedgehog, since the only way a vet can examine the bugger is to "knock him out," otherwise you can't get Agador to unroll from the spiny ball he's in. And I will have pre-op bloodwork done for a surgery with my own dog, the next time he needs surgery.

Also, some dog breeds, i've been told are susceptible to having issues with waking up from anaesthesia - miniature pinschers being one breed that comes to mind.

The IV i wouldn't worry as much about... but the bloodwork *i* think is a good idea.

[Ash47]

IV's really are beneficial to larger dogs. The longer they are "under," the more fluids they are losing and the harder it is to instill the fluids back into them than say a cat.
Pre-op bw is good for all the reasons mojo said. :)

[Tinaweena]

OMG ash....just saw your sig. I usually sign on from work and sigs don't work there. Spud is the cutest thing ever!

BTW boone had his bloodwork. Whether or not they "need" it is debatable. I know that it made me feel so much better when it came back within normal limits tho. So tha tI think is worth the extra cost alone.

[bubbatd]

I really leave it up to my vet.... I took an older dog ( rescue ) in for neutering and with his past vet history , my vet thought it wasn't needed. I really think it depends on how much blood workup has been done in the past etc. If it's a " guess" I'd pay the extra ....for your baby, what's another $45.

[Mordy]

I would have the bloodwork done, not just because of the surgery, but also because you can hit two birds with one stone so to speak - for one, any abnormalities will be detected early and be treated before they become problematic, and you will have baselines established that may become useful down the road as your dog grows up.

It's generally very smart to have bloodwork done once a year as part of the yearly exam, and request a copy of it to take home and keep in a file. I know it's expensive, but it's one of the things that are of greater value to your dog's health than the pricy supplements some vets or pet store employees push. Consider it a valuable investment in your dog's health.

[Ash47]

OMG ash....just saw your sig. I usually sign on from work and sigs don't work there. Spud is the cutest thing ever!
Well thank you! Spud says thank you too. :)

[mjpeter]

Thanks...I think we've decided to go ahead with the bloodwork and leave the IV fluids to the vet's discretion. (which is another option)