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Sedation for chest X-ray
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Member Since:
9 July 2018
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15 January 2019 - 1:34 pm
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Decided to go ahead with chest X-ray for kaiserin because I would rather know than not know if something has spread. Wondering if people generally had their dogs sedated to do chest X-rays?

I have two choices for doing the X-ray. My local vet can try to do it without sedation. They have someone hold her. They did it before her amputation but she fought a lot and the one image on her back wasn’t the best quality. Or I can go to the animal cancer centre where she had radiation. They have to sedate there as the technicians are not willing to hold dogs all day. I hate the idea of sedation because I don’t like giving kaiserin unnecessary drugs and she always has diarrhea for 24 hours after. But with sedation they can get better images and I will know nothing was missed. So I am leaning toward the cancer centre with sedation  - also because they are experts at taking and reading xrays and finding cancer (not to mention treating if they find something). 

Am I overthinking this? I feel I am spending too much time worrying for nothing. Wondering if others sedated or not? 

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1 October 2017
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15 January 2019 - 2:06 pm
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Can they give her something milder than knocking her out cold? I have fought many a dog for xrays, and it can be so stressful for the pet. Depending on how she responds to things, I wonder if they could meet you half way. If she really panics, the best thing would be to just let them put her under. You don't want bad rads right now, and part of the process is laying her straight on her spine, then stretching her front and rear legs so that they can get the clarity that they need. The lateral (side) view is not as difficult, but they need both views.

I hope this helps a little.

Hugs,

Jackie and Huck heart

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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15 January 2019 - 2:25 pm
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Not overthinking at all, you ask great questions.

I like Jackie's feedback. It would be worth it to have clear, precise x-rays. A good specialty center would provide safe amounts of anesthesia without putting her at risk. Asking for an anti-diarrheal as a preventive beforehand would be good.

Meanwhile, I can't wait for the day that all veterinary clinics are practicing fear free handling techniques. I've read in veterinary journals that of those clinics that are Fear-Free certified, it's often found that sedation isn't necessary for animals who were previously thought to require it for x-rays.  Aside from choosing AAHA clinics first, Fear Free certification is another criteria that can be used to find outstanding, progressive clinics.

We'll be keeping our paws and fingers crossed for clear xrays!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Germany
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16 January 2019 - 3:13 am
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It's been a few days so I was wondering if you'd been to the vet yet?

I know things are different overe here apparently (Germany) but I have not once had to have Manni (or Thilo) sedated for x-rays. Here, they always try without. Actually, I have such a good rapport with my local vet that I got to be present for the some of the x-rays, properly geared up of course. And no, I neither was, nor am, pregnant 🙂 I just think that's the best way to go because it just gives so much comfort to the dog - so if you know your local vet well enough maybe you could ask?

The vet clinic I took Manni to wouldn't let me be in the room for x-rays but we still didn't use sedatives. However, I was actually allowed to hold him for the chemo sessions there and that, too, made things so much smoother and we were out of there in no time.

Keeping fingers crossed for clean x-rays!!

hugs

tina

Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.

Manni's blog -dogblog-


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16 January 2019 - 7:26 am
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I only sedate if the dog is too anxious or aggressive to tolerate being on their side or back.  There are lots of safe and reversible anesthetics for this purpose.

Pam

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16 January 2019 - 8:29 am
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I asked if I could go in with her and hold her and they said no. It is a liability problem. Neither of the two places allow it. That would be the perfect solution though. She would be so relaxed with me there. I would be willing to sign a waiver but still no, they don't allow it.

I decided to go with the cancer centre and sedation because this is probably the most important chest X-ray (the first one after her amputation) and I want guaranteed good images. If these are clear, I will try the non sedated option at a local vet next time in 6 months.

I called the cancer centre and they said they are willing to try a light sedation first. They think she is too anxious to even try without. She is very scared when we go to a vet now. She sometimes shakes and won't  even go in the door. She is generally very cooperative but I can see how she might freak out  if someone tried to roll her on her back and stretch her legs out. She does cry and shake when they just examine her. I do worry bit that it is a breed prejudice thing - you know, people are scared of upsetting a german shepherd so want to sedate to make it easier. But for now I just need to make the best choice for her health and I feel that is a visit to the cancer experts. 

So, the decision is made, Tuesday at the animal cancer centre with a light sedation! Hopefully it goes well! 

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16 January 2019 - 8:51 am
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I wish things were the same here as in Europe. I know that for many liability purposes they will not allow it here. Beyond the possibility of you getting injured, we all wore dosimetry badges that calculated all exposure to radiation and we had to turn them in periodically for our readings. Once exposure is there, it's there. That would be a long term liability that they would stay away from.

Yes, no matter how much we coddled them, especially breeds with Kaiserin's body structure, on the back is total submission and frightening.

You did good mom, don't forget to ask about medications for loose stool. Or.. boil up some long grain rice and save the rice and water to add to her food for backup against it. They seem to like it a lot if you cook it in low sodium chicken broth heart

Keeping all fingers, toes, and paws crossed for you!!

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
12 May 2018
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21 January 2019 - 7:32 pm
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I find it odd the comment of the specialty vet not wanting to do an xray w/o sedation.. They are the skilled ones that can do it w/o x ray... perhaps a polite re ask,, to have them x ray w/o sedation.. 

On The Road


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21 January 2019 - 9:25 pm
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Good luck tomorrow! We will be keeping fingers, toes, paws and tails crossed for good news.

Luke, it really depends on the animal. Kaiserin is a German Shepherd and she sounds a lot like our Wyatt Ray and many GSDs we've known. Wyatt is an over-anxious whackadoodle at the vet clinic. He could never be x-rayed without sedation. Even if we were there with him he would still freak out for any procedure. 

Dr. Pam you are so good with animals, I love that you work with them first before going the sedation route!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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22 January 2019 - 4:16 am
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Good luck today! Keeping fingers, toes, and paws crossed for you. Wishing for good rads and even better results once they get them!!

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
9 July 2018
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22 January 2019 - 1:56 pm
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We got great news! Kaiserin’s chest X-rays from this morning were normal!!!!!!! No worry that the cancer has spread! I am very relieved! They said she looked great! 

They tried a light sedation like I asked but it wasn’t enough so she was pretty sedated (still really groggy). Poor dog was so scared just walking into the building. I see these other dogs walking in happy and wagging their tales and my big German shepherd is shaking! They let me stay with her until the time of the X-ray and then brought her right to me in a room after and I sat with her in a mat on the floor until she was awake enough to leave. So I was really happy about that. Most important is this is over for now with the best result! 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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22 January 2019 - 2:10 pm
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YAAAAAAAAY!!!!😁😁😁😁😀😀😀😀😁😀😁  YAAAAAAAAAAY😀😁😀😀😀😁😁😁😀  YAAAAAAAAY😁😁😁😀😀😀😀😁😁😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀

SUCH GREAT NEWS!!!!!   I Aloce that they at least tried light sedation  and also let you stay with her the way they did.  Nice gesture on their part.😊

Now go celebrate  with cake and ice cream!  Maybe she'll let you have some!😎😎

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
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22 January 2019 - 4:13 pm
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Woohoo!!! Thanks for the great update. 🙂

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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