Old Dogs, New Surgeries What You Should Know About Your Pet's Age and the Operating Room
How old is too old for a dog to have surgery? Twelve years old? Thirteen?
It's very common for pet owners to believe that surgery is no longer an option once their pet has reached a certain age. Not so, according to Dr. Sharon Ullman, MS, DVM, DACVS. Surgery can be beneficial for many older pets.
"Age is not a disease," Ullman said.
Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about senior dogs and surgery.
Is my dog too old for anesthesia?
While the risk of complications from anesthesia increases for dogs over the age of 12, the risk in most cases is not so high that anesthesia should be avoided. The benefits of having surgery are often far greater. Your doctor will evaluate the overall health of your pet in determining with you possible courses of action.
What about the surgery itself?
Provided a veterinarian believes a dog to be in adequate health, surgery can be performed regardless of the age of the dog. Many patients who might be considered "too old" to undergo surgery often endure significant pain and discomfort, which can lead to a diminished quality of life. While older dogs typically take longer to recover from the event of surgery and anesthesia, going forward with surgery can improve their overall clinical picture. SAGE surgeons mitigate risks to the patient by evaluating pre-op blood work and taking radiographs of the chest to make sure that the heart and lungs, organs vital to the success of anesthesia, appear within normal values.
How long is my dog going to live?
Unfortunately, none of us can know how long your pet will be with you. On average, smaller dogs tend to live longer than their bigger peers, but individual cases can vary greatly.
"The goal should always be a good quality of life for our pets," said Ullman. "If the patient's disease process is diminishing quality of life, an action step needs to be considered."
Can an old dog recover from having major orthopedic surgery?
Yes. Much like with humans, older dogs typically heal slower than they did back in their younger years, but they do heal.
| Following the aftercare instructions provided by your doctor will help quicken your pet's recovery process. |
How can I increase the chances of a successful outcome?
The best way to reduce post-surgery complications and improve recovery is to follow the homecare instructions that SAGE provides for each surgical patient. These instructions are reviewed with each pet owner prior to their leaving the hospital to ensure that the information is clear and owners know what to expect. Doctors are also available for phone calls if clients have questions about how to take care of their pet at home.
"Age, like any other number, is just one variable to be considered for our surgical patients," Ullman said. "Surgery can often return our patients to an excellent quality of life."
SAGE doctors have expertise in a wide range of surgical areas including orthopedic, soft tissue, cancer and neurologic surgery. When possible, veterinary surgeons use minimally invasive techniques. Learn more about treatment for surgical problems on the SAGE Centers website.
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