Opinions needed

Discussion in 'Labrador Chat' started by BevE, Dec 7, 2016.

  1. BevE

    BevE Registered Users

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    We have a lovely vet who sends us a newsletter. In the latest one, the practice is asking for canine volunteers to have an abdominal ultrasound. A member of staff is undertaking a course in abdominal ultrasounds and needs dogs to practice on!

    I rang the practice to ask for more information-the dogs will be given mild reversible sedation and will need a small area on their belly shaved. Having spent my nursing/midwifery career in teaching hospitals I know the value of volunteers-after all as a student nurse or midwife there has to be a first injection, a first delivery!

    But-it's not me that's volunteering, it's Bailey, and I would never forgive myself if something went wrong. What do people think? Would you volunteer your dog or would you discard the newsletter and forget about it? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    I think I would volunteer, but also know in very rare circumstances that things can go wrong, in this case with the mild sedative, but most unlikely.

    A friend asked me if I would let them use my dog as a blood donor, I did not want to do this, but felt I couldn't say no when their dog was dying. So I had to go with the risk from the sedative, all was well.
     
  3. Xena Dog Princess

    Xena Dog Princess Registered Users

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    Why can't they do it on animals who are already in the clinic for surgery? And presumably sedation isn't always necessary? My senior cat had to have several ultrasounds earlier this year, none under sedation. I can't see Xena being calm enough for that, though.

    I suppose I would volunteer Xena. She had no issues with her spay so I'd be relaxed about a minor sedation. But I think I'd expect my practice to stump up with a credit on my next appointment.
     
  4. BevE

    BevE Registered Users

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    Thanks to you both. I'd never thought about animals already there, I should ask the vet practice. I'm leaning towards volunteering Bailey, though I may have changed my mind by morningo_O
     
  5. Emily_BabbelHund

    Emily_BabbelHund Longest on the Forum without an actual dog

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    I think it's really lovely of you to think of volunteering. I wonder if they could do it without the sedative? Only because it may Bailey feel a bit wonky in the tummy. Brogan had a couple of these and they never did the sedative thing. I have it done once every three months as part of my cancer check and I do kind of wish they've give me a sedative. Not because I need it for the procedure (it is painless) but just because...well... it might make it a little more fun.

    Otherwise the only lasting effects would be a chilly Bailey tummy where they shave. :cold:
     
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  6. BevE

    BevE Registered Users

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    Thanks Emily! Bailey lives in Australia so it's the beginning of summer here.:sun: Hopefully his tummy will be covered in lovely chocolate fur before winter!
     
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  7. Emily_BabbelHund

    Emily_BabbelHund Longest on the Forum without an actual dog

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    Ah ha! Then it will be a PLUS to have a shaved belly! :) Sorry, should have noticed that you are in Adelaide. D'oh!
     
  8. MF

    MF Registered Users

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    Why do they need to sedate for an ultrasound? Snowie had a series of 10-min laser therapy sessions which included his wearing goggles. The vet nurse brilliantly distracted him with a game of wait patiently for the treat in her closed hand and he lay quietly the entire time totally absorbed in the activity. And he is not usually a quiet dog out and about. Maybe they should practice distracting their patients at the same time as practicing using the ultrasound. And btw I think it would be a lovely idea to volunteer - but sans sedative.
     
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  9. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    I love entinox it's better than a sedative. Absolutely love it
     
  10. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    I think it deoends on how Bailey is at the vets. Because Harley isn't good stuff the vets I couldn't put her through that, but if she was ok being there I probably would. Sorry, not much help I'm afraid. I'm sure you will make the right decision for Bailey x
     
  11. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    My friend's dog Zaba was going to be a blood donor but he couldn't stand the shaver (they take the blood from the jugular- so it's close to the ears)
     
  12. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    Drift had his blood taken from his leg and got quite a shaver rash!
     
  13. Snowshoe

    Snowshoe Registered Users

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    Oban was only sedated for abdominal ultrasound the time the Vet was fishing around in there to see if there were growth type things. An ultrasound just to "look inside" he was not sedated and I was with him. One time it was just him alone with the Vets and their only problem was he wanted to go see everyone who walked by. Depends on the dog but maybe Bailey would not need sedation?
     
  14. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    At least you would get a free u/s and Bailey would get used to something else.
     
  15. BevE

    BevE Registered Users

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    Thanks all! I'll consider it over the next few days. I'm a bit concerned about the sedative so I'll check if it's absolutely necessary. Thanks again:)
     
  16. Emily_BabbelHund

    Emily_BabbelHund Longest on the Forum without an actual dog

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    Now I've this picture in my head of Snowie getting his bikini line done at the doggie spa. :rofl:

    Don't mean to laugh if it was a scary procedure for you and him (hopefully it all went well), just loved the image of him in his goggles!
     
  17. MF

    MF Registered Users

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    My husband's favourite photo is of Snowie in goggles! Like ski goggles. It wasn't scary at all, made me wonder if any treatment was happening!!

    Snowie does love a spa treatment - lies on his back on our bed in bliss, legs akimbo, eyes squashed closed under folds of fur, tongue lolling out, while I give him a rub down. :cool:
     
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