Pre-anesthesia bloodwork before spay?

squirtle

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I am not familiar with the different types of anesthetics... I will be scheduling Dori a teeth cleaning in the next couple of months. What are the options? What is ISO?
 

kai bengals

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Originally Posted by abbycats

I think that Ketamine is the worst drug in the world to give to animals for anesthetic. I have talked to other people who have lost their animals to that particular drug. After what happened to Tommy I will never let the any vet use that drug on one of my cats again. I have them use ISO on all my cats when they have to be put under. There is probably danger in that drug too, but not as much as ketamine. I notice a big difference when they come back from the vet, they are not as drugged up.
Thanks for that information. I have several things to discuss with my Vets because of this thread.
I really hate it when I think I'm doing all I can to protect my cats and then find out maybe I'm not, or am being misled.
 
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rosie0708

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Everyone gave me some things to think about...I never thought about it being a good baseline for future blood work if she was going to need it.


to everyone for their input so far!
 

gardenandcats

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It used to be choice at my vets .But starting Jan 1st any type of surgery spay ect its know mandatory. I always had it done just to be safe.
 

lionessrampant

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It's never a bad idea to get bloodwork done. Cats can be very good at hiding subtle ailments that might eventually turn into something serious. Also, they might be a latent carrier of a variety of diseases, most of which can be treated if detected early or in latentcy, but that would otherwise be fatal. So yes, it's a very good idea to have bloodwork done, and also throughout the cat's life.
 

plebayo

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Did you ask them why you should have it done?

If not, here is why.

Your cat could die.

Granted, if you are going to a reputable clinic, they use VERY safe anesthetic, and the doctor does an exam of your pet before sedating them. However, your cat could be having kidney problems [the kidney's filter the anesthetic] which, in the first stages, or if the cat is just having an off day, you can't physically tell they are having an issue.

Most people think "Oh but my cat is young." Well here's a good example why that theory doesn't work.

We had two pomeranians who come into the clinic to get their teeth cleaned. One of them was 11, the other was only 3. The 11-year-old checked out fine. The 3-year-old's kidney values were really low. It's been about 2-3 years since they came in, and he's in the middle of renal failure.

If it were a neuter, it wouldn't bother me too much considering the cat is only under for a few minutes. A spay however, is really invasive and takes a bit longer. So it's good to be on the safe side, spending the extra $40 to ensure your cat's health.
 
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rosie0708

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Thank you all for the input. I did not know if it was a common practice, since my previous vet had never mentioned it too me.

Now I go to a vet that specializes in felines (who mentioned to me about the pre-anesthesia blood work), and I feel much better taking my kitties there (for more reasons than one). I am really leaning on the side of caution to get the blood work done. Thank you everyone for being so helpful!!!
 

gayef

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In answer to the question about gas anesthesia ... "iso" is isoflurane. There is also another good one, sevoflurane. Both are far less damaging and metabolize quickly in the lungs instead of the kidneys. In most cases, the cats wake up as soon as the gas administration is halted and in many cases, the cats can come home the same day as surgery.

For anyone considering surgery on a cat, I would recommend speaking frankly with your vet - but on the charts for ALL of my cats, in big red letters, is written plainly for all to see: ~~ NO INJECTIBLE ANESTHESIA. NO KETAMINE ~~

My standing orders (your mileage may vary - talk with your vet) for anesthesia in my cats is as follows: Iso or Sevo mask down with continuous gas and O2 during the procedure with IV fluids and pain relief on board throughout.
 

lizch6699

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Ok so here's a question. I've been posting about my cat that has a heart murmur and it's been advised she doesn't get spayed b/c she may die under anesthisia. However this past week I finally decided (after much thought) that it's torture on her body to go into heat all the time and so I finally scheduled an appointment to have her spayed knowing that she may not make it. I asked the vet about a reduced anesthisia (gas) spay (maybe that's the iso?) and the vet said that that tends to be more stressful on a cat's body b/c there's not as much pain relief. They said it'd probably be better to go with the other kind (injectible? ketamine?) so any advice on this?

For this situation I opted not to do blood work beause if anything comes back saying she can't be put under, then I'd probably have to put her to sleep.
 

gayef

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They can add pain relief to the IV during the procedure so I don't know why your vet would say that ... I have followed your kitty's problems with interest in the other thread and was wondering how you were getting along.
 

lizch6699

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I'll have to ask them before the spay exactly what type they use. They said that b/c of her heart murmur her heart is really big and overworked to compensate for the extra blood flow. They worry that w/ anesthisia it will relax her heart to much to work properly. I guess we'll know for sure soon, wish her luck. One week from Tuesday's the day.
 

plebayo

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Your vet should be taking into consideration your cat's heart murmur.

At our clinic the idea is to get the animal down, and up again right away. I'm assuming they would just gas her, you might get a second oppinion and see what another clinic says they will do.

Unless you've already done it you should have her heart ultr-sounded, some murmur's aren't a big deal, while tohers can cause problems. You could find out how serious it is, and then your vet could decide what the safest option would be.
 

sunnicat

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My vet has always done it and hands out a brochure explaining why. I would rather be safe than sorry with my furkids, always.
 

abbycats

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For anyone considering surgery on a cat, I would recommend speaking frankly with your vet - but on the charts for ALL of my cats, in big red letters, is written plainly for all to see: ~~ NO INJECTIBLE ANESTHESIA. NO KETAMINE ~~
Those are words of wisdom!!!!


KIM
 

stephanietx

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I voted "depends". When I took my Hannah in a week ago to have her spayed, I opted for the bloodwork ($65) since she'd been so sick the last time she'd had blood drawn, which was about 6 weeks ago. If she'd not been sick the last time her blood was drawn, I would've opted not to have the pre-surgery bloodwork. Also, I would've done it if I'd noticed a change in her or if it had been awhile since I'd had it done, as in more than a year.

Another reason I would've had them do it during surgery is if my kitty was afraid of needles or something like that. When I've had my kitty's teeth cleaned, I've had them give shots, express anal glands, clip nails, do fecal tests, and do a good flush of the ears since it's less traumatic for the cat and the techs don't have to worry about being attacked by my cat.

Stephanie
 
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rosie0708

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Yeah. I just called and left a message with my Vet so I could talk to him about the anesthsia and blood work before my kitty gets spayed next month.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by rosie0708

Hi All,

I am getting my healthy 5 month old kitty spayed next month. When I called the vet to make the appointment, they said the vet likes to do pre-anesthesia bloodwork on all the cats just in case. The bloodwork, of course, would cost extra ($45).

Do you all think this would be a good idea to get the bloodwork or just an unnecessary cost?
i've had 6 females spayed in my life, & none of the vets has ever suggested this. so i voted no - they all did just fine.
 

semiferal

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It's "unnecessary" unless your cat happens to have a previously undetected medical problem. The problem is that only the bloodwork can detect such a problem.

If you can afford the bloodwork, then it is wise to have it done. Chances are overwhelming that the bloodwork will be normal and your kitty is just fine. But if your cat does have a medical issue that could complicate anesthesia, the bloodwork can be lifesaving. Assuming you can afford the $45, you will be much happier to have spent $45 unnecessarily than to lose your kitty when a $45 blood test could have prevented it.
 

gayef

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The added benefit of having the bloodwork drawn now is that you will establish a "normal" baseline for your kitty in the future - as she ages there may be health issues that come up and by having a baseline of "normal" values in her bloodwork, you will instantly be aware of anything abnormal.

I also vote to have the bloodwork drawn, but I think I would go the extra mile (and to the extra expense) of having a complete organ function panel drawn.
 
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