I have an 11 year old staffy X lab. He's in pretty good health, he has arthritis and slightly failing eyesight, but health wise he is good, very slightly overweight due to exercise restrictions lately. He needs to have surgery for a torn cruciate ligament and I'm just wondering if his age poses any extra risks with the anesthetic or recovery?
Anonymous
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Blood work-BEFORE- will show liver problems.
Surgery is NOT necessary in most cases.
mcc
Yes at that age there is always increased risk - you should put him on a strict diet (add green beans to a lesser amount of food so he'll still feel full) you should be able to peel off some weight in a couple of months to see if that helps his ligament - you could also supplement his nutrition with Ester-C - it is water soluble C so he can't get to much what you really need is the Calcium Carbonate the C is in - strengthen connective tissue.
I would try that first before considering surgery on a dog of that age. Painkillers for recovery are also quite hard on kidney's and liver so many dogs end up with a secondary and sometimes fatal issue.
Anonymous
This is one for your vet who will do all the tests necessary before giving him anaesthetic (or should!!). Every surgery/general anaesthetic has a risk, even with a young healthy animal, but as ever, you have to weigh up the risks vs the cons, what will happen if he doesn't have the surgery, with the advice of your vet who in the end, is responsible for bringing your dog through surgery safely. He will have you sign a waiver however - this is normal!
Same goes for the recovery which he should tell you all about.
Marianne
There is always a danger with anesthesia, but most vets do a heart blood test before administering it to a senior dog. If the surgery necessary? Have you discussed simply rehabbing your dog instead of having surgery? Some dogs can heal fairly well with medication and crate rest.
Hopefully you've discussed this with your vet and not just assumed he needs surgery.
I'm rehabbing a sheltie right now, and she is doing very well.
Anonymous
Please keep in mind that Diabetes in dogs is similar to Diabetes in humans. It hinders the ability to heal. So surgery can be risky. Diabetes accelerates the onset of cataracts that were already beginning. Really, your dog will adapt to being blind quite quickly, and will not care one bit. Sight is not a dog's most important sense. Sounds to me like the vet is just trying to get $$$ out of you. Don't let them turn your dog into a cash cow.