ACL & Anesthesia/Propofol question .....

    • Gold Top Dog

    ACL & Anesthesia/Propofol question .....

    Hello,
    Buster, our beagle started limping last week. We took him to the vet that
    day & he was given a pain medicine injection. We came back the next day so
    that he could be given a sedative so that he could be x-rayed and palpated.
     
    The x-rays were negative & the drawer test was positive.
    Buster was given Isoflorene & Propofol to reduce vomiting &
    seizures when coming out of the anesthesia.
     
    But, unfortunately, he did seizure....
    Vet said that his head went back, body stiffened & tongue turned blue ! Yippes !
    Vet said that out of the many dogs he treats that he has only had one other
    dog seizure with the Propofol. Not to be surprized if later on I find out that
    Buster is predisposed to epilepsy.
     
    So, we are now currently about 1 week after the initial injury. We have been
    keeping Buster crated as much as possible or else he wants to walk around.
    We carry Buster outside to potty & he seems to be using the leg a little more,
    and using the foot to scratch with occasionally.
     
    Not sure what to do.... Buster is 4 yrs old. with a husky built.
    weighing 42 lbs. which is actually lighter than he's been in years.
    Vet says 40 lbs. is about the weight range where a dog might be able to
    heal without surgery. To bring Buster back in a week to see how he is doing.
    I'm okay with the idea of surgery, just not any complications of the Propofol.
    So I am certain the vet would have to used something else instead.
    What do you think I should do ? 
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    I am sure your vet can use another induction agent, instead of propoflo, unfortunately most vets use isoflurane to maintain anesthesia.  I understand the concern of seizures, but your vet will be there with Buster during his recovery, so that if he does seize the appropriate drug can be administered to controll the seizures.  Ask your vet if he/she is comfortable with the anesthesia risks with the knowledge of this previous seizure.  If he/she is comfortable then I would feel much better.  Good luck, I know this is a tough decision.
    • Gold Top Dog
    talk to your vet about your concern...there are many other types that can be used...I suspect the vet also would be ambivilant about using  the first anesthesia again
    • Silver
    Nothing here on the anesthesia.
     
    Also keep in mind, I am just a regular dog owner, not a vet or even a student of these things.
     
    From what I understand, running and lots of stairs are the big no, no at this stage of the game.  I leash walk Sadie around the yard to pee and to work most days.  She was always a floor dog, so she spends a lot of time in her crate with the door open or quietly on her special rug.  No rasslin with her dog brother Manny.
     
    Seems like there is some hope of a partial tear healing on it's own.  I have not looked into that since three doctors have confirmed a complete tear for my Sadie.
     
    Surgery options seem to be either the ligament replacement option or the "TPLO".  (Don't even ask me to spell that!)
     
    Cute dog.  Looks like there are a good number of us in this same boat...    [>:]
     
     
    Seems like there is some hope of a partial tear healing on it's own.
     
     
     
     
     
    She stays pretty quiet in the house and spends time in the crate with the door open or laying on our sheepskin throw on the floor.
     
    No rasslin with her dog brother Manny.