X-rays for OFA

[MontanaRott]

Guerin is being done tomorrow and I totally forgot to ask our vet if they sedate him or put him out completely like for surgery.
We are a tad nervous, not for the results, he will never be bred, so pass or fail, it will have no impact on what we are doing with him, but we are nervous about the sedation. He has never be sedated or put under anesthesia so it is a bit nerve wracking. It is never something I am comfortable with until my vet calls, and says they came thru the procedure fine.
So for those of you who have had this done, what did your vet do?

[Judi W]

No food or water after about 10 tonight. that way he is ready for whatever. I always want the anesthetic because it gives a truer picture and positioning is easier for the vets/techs without the dog tensing up. They don't do heavy just light enough to handle the dog gracefully. No problem.

Give us a holler.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by Judi W

No food or water after about 10 tonight. that way he is ready for whatever. I always want the anesthetic because it gives a truer picture and positioning is easier for the vets/techs without the dog tensing up. They don't do heavy just light enough to handle the dog gracefully. No problem.

Give us a holler.

Thanks Judi! I will assume, since our vet has a ton of experience and a very good reputation for getting great shots for OFA, that she uses the anesthetic then. I will drop him off in the am and go to work and stay busy and try not to fret.

[Silvermarten]

I was with Henry for his OFA films ( a great benefit of being an LVT ) . He was heavily sedated ( nice to finally see him calm ) .
I've assisted with many and sedation has always been done for them .
I'd make sure he has no meals/snacks after 10pm tonight just like Judi W recommended . When you drop him off in the morning I bet if you asked the vet or his/her technician would have a moment to answer any questions you have .

Good luck tomorrow

[MontanaRott]

The food and water thing we have down pat. We have a herd that have all been under the knife at one time or another. My vet is very good about talking to us and giving us the details, and I am usually MUCH better about asking all the questions. This time not so good.

[lblax]

usually they do not put them completely out... when storm had his prelims done i sent the wife to take him as he simply loves going to the vets... unfortunatly he turned out to be a mean drunk he had everyone including the wife corraled at the vets, not being in complete control of his physical movemants put him on the defensive

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by lblax

usually they do not put them completely out... when storm had his prelims done i sent the wife to take him as he simply loves going to the vets... unfortunatly he turned out to be a mean drunk he had everyone including the wife corraled at the vets, not being in complete control of his physical movemants put him on the defensive

LOL! That happened with Steve as well. They were not pleased with him at the vets and we were not too happy with him here. Good grief I hope Guerin is a happy drunk, as I will be on my own!

[GraceAAA]

The anesthetics they are using these days for short procedures (such as x-rays and teeth cleanings) have come full circle in terms of safety. They are very fast acting and most are reversible if something unexpected occurred.

It sounds like your boy will be in very good and competent hands...and will probably enjoy a quiet and sleepy day having his glamour shots done!
Keep us posted...will be thinking of you.
Andria

[lblax]

Originally Posted by MontanaRott

LOL! That happened with Steve as well. They were not pleased with him at the vets and we were not too happy with him here. Good grief I hope Guerin is a happy drunk, as I will be on my own!

i think the best thing is even though they wont be completly out cage him there and let him come to entirerly before you try to leave with him

[flyballmom]

Shirley, IMO it should depend on the individual dog. But...some vets sedate routinely to save time and stress. Char's ortho wouldn't do her hip/spine/knee x-rays without sedation because she'd already proven she wasn't going to let him reproduce a positive drawer in her without sedation. While sedated for the exam, she also had rads shot. On the other hand, when Blitz and sibs had there OFA prelims done at 6 months, NONE of the little wild monsters had to be sedated, but the option was certainly there if needed. So...do fast him overnight. And good luck with his OFA's!!!

[Rotty4Me]

I've had 2 dogs OFA'd, one of them (Tux) was also prelim'd & both dogs showed no signs of even being drugged at all by the time I picked them up. Tux was done late morning for his final OFA's & I was there picking him up by 2:00pm. He was fine! Walked right out like no sweat, what happened? They are not typically under long & the anesthesia used wears off pretty quickly, normally. Good Luck to Guerin! Please keep us posted!

Maureen

[MontanaRott]

Thanks for the feedback all! Of course we are hoping for a good outcome, who wouldn't, but as I said, since he will never reproduce, a fair or poor rating, would not be the end of the world. As a wise person on the forums told us, "he is perfectly sound to do the work you ask of him." And that is the bottom line!

[Ilovemypuppy]

Best wishes tomorrow with that handsome boy Guerin....we'll be thinking of you :o)

[SonnyRott]

I remember the first time Sonny was x-rayed (as a 5 month old baby) I was really concerned about the anesthesia. That's when I learned he had bad hips.

Now about 8 x-rays later, I am no longer concerned. He is due to be x-rayed again in March which will be his 1 year TPO post-op x-ray.

Your boy will come out of the anesthesia like a champ and will be ready to go home by the afternoon. Sonny swaggers out with his nub wagging the whole time but usually sleeps the rest of the evening. His legs are also a little stiff from the positioning. So don't be too alarmed if Guerin is not himself and a little stiff for a day or so.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow! GOOD HIPS FOR GUERIN!!

[rottnkidd]

Originally Posted by lblax

usually they do not put them completely out... when storm had his prelims done i sent the wife to take him as he simply loves going to the vets... unfortunatly he turned out to be a mean drunk he had everyone including the wife corraled at the vets, not being in complete control of his physical movemants put him on the defensive

Larry - When Diva had her eye done (the prolapsed 3rd eyelid), the true "bitch" came out! The male tech loaded her in the truck without incident because she was still out of it, however, when I got home she was like "Dog of the Damned"! The dh came outside when he heard me pull in the driveway and she almost ripped his hand off when he went to move her! Not having all of their 'faculties' is obviously frightening for some
dogs.
He got ticked off and left me to deal with her! I told her to get her
a-- out of the truck and she did, thank you! I'll never forget THAT day though!
So Shirley, I'm certain Guerin will be a gentleman, but allow him enough time
to come around before moving him about.
Best wishes -
kathy