Don't let your dog have surgery until you know this (death risk in 2024)

[@мявє-ъ5ч]

im in so much pain. im wishing i put my senior dog through surgery despite the vet saying there was a risk of dying. he didn't have heart problems or cancer but was overweight but losing weight rapidly. he wasn't overweight anymore after the rapid weight loss...he had dropped 2kg very quickly even though he eats a lot. btw he was 15 and a few months. he had a problem with falling on his back legs and sometimes couldnt control bowel movements. he had a problem with his lower back/spine area. btw he eats but mostly drinks sooo much water. should i have tried the spine/disc surgery on my 15 year old shih tzu? im in so much deep regret for not trying. the vet had said his heart was normal but heard cracking noises when she listened to his chest. i feel like i dont deserve to live anymore since my baby is gone, btw its only been a few days since his passing and i havent stopped crying and regretting my decision. i dont deserve to be alive either now

[@Soyloca666]

I have a question : Is it normal for one animal hospital to recommend surgery for removing a cancerous bump on my dogs back leg but for another animal hospital to say they don’t recommend surgery because they think it would be too dangerous to put him under anesthesia? My senior pitty was 11 with confirmed Cushing’s disease that was uncontrolled at the time and his regular vet said no to a dental for a abscess in his gums but yea to surgery for removing cancerous mass I got a second opinion and his new vet said they wouldn’t recommend it due to his condition.

[@sreyadutta]

This was all helpful and made me feel so much less anxious. I have been delaying anesthesia dentals for my 10 lb chimix and now I know what to consider. She is about to turn 9 so I need to do it before she gets much older. Is there a correlation between a dogs weight and increased or decreased risk from anesthesia?

[@OurPetsHealth]

There is no different risk I am aware of based on body size, more certain breeds (such as out flat faced breeds especially). I hope it all goes well for you and your dog

[@charlesbryson7443]

My dog needs a procedure due to her thigh/hip joint deteriorating from low blood flow. She’s only 8 months, but she needs it so we’re risking it.

[@OurPetsHealth]

Sounds like a good decision based on very low risk and likely significant benefit

[@DanTheVeterinarian]

Thanks for this! Great info!

[@OurPetsHealth]

thanks doc!

[@lizstubbs2969]

This sounds complicated for the general public to remember how this works and to assess it, surely we are able to trust our vet to assess the risk?

[@OurPetsHealth]

Of course, and that's why a trusting relationship is really important. Some pet parents get very worried though so the figures, especially for healthy animals, should hopefully reassure them

[@lizstubbs2969]

@@OurPetsHealth aah I see, thank you for replying, I got baffled by the science