IV fluids during spay

[NepheliLoux]

I’m wanting to get my dog (bitch) spayed, I discussed with my vet when the best time to do this would be and during the discussion they gave me a quote of around £300. He then said I could add on fluids for an extra £90.

I’m not sure whether I should add fluids or not. Is it unnecessary and the vet just wants to maximise profits? Or is needed? Surely if it’s needed it would just be part of the package?

Obviously I want my dog to be as comfortable as possible and I can afford the fluids but I don’t want to add it in if it’s a scam

Sometimes they need fluids and sometimes not. I’ve always left it to my vet to decide. They’re the experts. I’ve never had a choice just if I wanted blood tests whilst they were under.

That’s what I mean, surely if it’s case of something they need they would be just be given it? Rather than it being an extra?

It would be cruel for me to deny fluids if she needs them for the sake of £90.

We got the option of adding bloods too, and a teeth clean - I can see how they are additions, and not really the same as fluids?

This isn't something we've ever been asked with any of our animals. I'd just assume they'd include fluids if necessary at the time?

I got offered this for my current dog H, but not the previous one C. They also asked if I wanted a broad spectrum blood test to check her overall health, another £80 on top of the extra for the fluids.

Spoke to a friend who is a vet in a different part of the country who said don't bother with the blood tests, but do the fluids.

I have to say the difference when I picked H up compared to C was very pronounced. C was spaced out like a zombie for a long time, but H in comparison was much more like herself, I thought she recovered much faster after surgery. I wouldn't hesitate to get the fluids next time round.

The markup on the bag of fluids is massive, but if you can afford it I'd go for it. Don't beat yourself up if you can't though.

The fluids help with keeping them hydrated, flush the anaesthetic out of their systems faster and also helps keep the blood pressure steady.

Shouldn't they be included in the price then, rather than as an add-on?

Bitch spays are big surgeries where the patients blood pressure often drops. Fluids help maintain blood pressure and overall homeostasis. I would always opt for fluids personally, and as a nurse who monitors anaesthetics I much prefer having my spays on fluids.
Pre op bloods are also advisable as can throw up unknown issues with the organs required to metabolise and excrete the anaesthetic drugs.
Offering dental work at the same time as a hysterectomy is somewhat questionable and not something I would do due to risk of infection.

Oh and the reason these are 'optional extras' rather than included is because the 'gold standard' of bloods/fluids etc is not affordable to everyone. Sometimes owners can only afford the basic surgery and it is generally preferred to take a small risk than leave a bitch entire which can lead to a much more expensive emergency hysterectomy, unwanted litters, phantom pregnancy etc.

It's a quick op, they usually drink until the morning of and can start fluids quickly afterwards.
I haven't ever paid the extra for iv fluids and ours have always been fine. Obviously different for emergency surgery when they are unstable and dehydrated but nor for a quick elective op.

A bitch spay isn’t a ‘quick elective op’ it’s probably the most major surgery you’d ever do in a healthy animal and even with a speedy surgeon by the time the animal is anaesthetised, clipped, prepped and recovered they’d be under GA for an hour. It’s often an op in which you get big drops on blood pressure. We have bundled fluids into the cost and don’t give people the option, it’s a basic standard of care. Not a chance you’d get even a minor procedure for a human under GA without a drip, never mind a hysterectomy!

Our surgery includes fluids as standard - you don't get the chance to opt out.

My vet includes fluids in the cost, not that I would have opted fluids out as imo they shouldn’t be optional.
My dog had fluids (the vet said it also helps if they are slow to drink postoperatively. She came out the surgery wagging her tail and steady on her feet and never looked back!

But humans are not dogs, completely differnt requirements. I don't think we'd be jumping on and off settees within hours of abdo surgery either but dogs would if they were allowed to.

Being under for a hour for a fit dog is not a long time. As I said they can drink until the morning of and recover quickly afterwards so can drink as soon as awake. They don't need fluids unless obviously there are underlying issues undiscovered and even then I think a vet would administer ivt even if the owners hadn't paid upfront.

This is a good thing! usually vets overcharge at every opportunity so good for them to give an option.

Well my dd as a trainee vet was cross that our vet advised bloods for a routine operation a few years ago. But then because of the bloods we discovered that he had the early stages of kidney failure. He lived 3 years after that due to being very well managed on drugs, as it had been picked up at the early stages.

I always pay for blood test and fluids. Fluids will make your dog feel more comfortable and I prefer to know of any issues that the blood test will reveal. It may only be a temporary issue due to starving the dog and restricting fluids but I like to know my dog is a comfy as possible during surgery.

Seems like it’s best for me to opt for fluids if that’s the gold standard.