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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Looking for Senior dog anaesthetic success stories (14 years old)

37 replies

Dog1924 · 13/02/2024 19:07

I am having to make the decision in putting my old dog under anaesthesia for tooth extraction and I am worried sick he won't make it.

He is a small dog - 5/6kg

He is 14 years old but has no underlying health conditions and most are shocked when they find out his age as he still has days where he will play & run around like a puppy! He is not showing any signs of pain at all (I know dogs can hide pain very well!)

We have just come back from the vets and obviously they have to explain that there is a risk in any dog being put under let alone my 14 year old, but I'd like to hear some success stories of dogs who have made it through to help my decision. Also the not so successful stories ...

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 13/02/2024 19:11

My sister had dental work done on one of her late JRT s when she was 17 with no issues at all . She eventually died aged 21

ElliesMum16 · 13/02/2024 19:21

OP I could have written your post. My 13 and a half year old (also small breed, also gets mistaken for a puppy) is having surgery in a week's time to remove an adenoma and I'm so worried! But it needs to come off so I don't have a choice - I'm trying not to think about it actually. There's the added worry that it could turn out to be malignant, so REALLY trying hard not to think about that one!

I guess in your shoes, if you don't have the extraction done now, will his teeth get worse and force you into more invasive dental work when he's even older?

ErrolTheDragon · 13/02/2024 19:22

My old boy had a small tumour removed under GA when he was 16. It was fine.

Original poster
Dog1924 · 13/02/2024 19:29

ElliesMum16 · 13/02/2024 19:21

OP I could have written your post. My 13 and a half year old (also small breed, also gets mistaken for a puppy) is having surgery in a week's time to remove an adenoma and I'm so worried! But it needs to come off so I don't have a choice - I'm trying not to think about it actually. There's the added worry that it could turn out to be malignant, so REALLY trying hard not to think about that one!

I guess in your shoes, if you don't have the extraction done now, will his teeth get worse and force you into more invasive dental work when he's even older?

Please come back and let me know how it all went. It's such a worry and obviously we think the worst in the lead up!

OP posts:
Neriah · 13/02/2024 19:39

My friend recently had a 15 Yr old GSD needing tail amputation - bounced back in days! And she was terrified it was going to die - even the vet thought it was poor odds despite having tried all alternatives (severe drug unresponsive infection ). If he needs it for his quality of life, what is your alternative? Yes it comes with risks. Life always does. I have had several major surgeries and got the same warning about risk. When is his time, he'll go. Same with me. We can't gainsay fate. But he won't thank you for not doing it.

Original poster
Dog1924 · 13/02/2024 19:45

Neriah · 13/02/2024 19:39

My friend recently had a 15 Yr old GSD needing tail amputation - bounced back in days! And she was terrified it was going to die - even the vet thought it was poor odds despite having tried all alternatives (severe drug unresponsive infection ). If he needs it for his quality of life, what is your alternative? Yes it comes with risks. Life always does. I have had several major surgeries and got the same warning about risk. When is his time, he'll go. Same with me. We can't gainsay fate. But he won't thank you for not doing it.

Thank you, this is very reassuring and it is true - he will go when it's his time. I definitely don't think it is his time any time soon! He's a lively little thing for his age

OP posts:
Neriah · 13/02/2024 20:02

Dog1924 · 13/02/2024 19:45

Thank you, this is very reassuring and it is true - he will go when it's his time. I definitely don't think it is his time any time soon! He's a lively little thing for his age

Show quote history

I had two dogs, not at the same time, coincidentally got seriously ill at 13. Different causes - one they never even knew why. Vets said they'd not survive. Both lived to over 16. With an average breed expectancy of 12 /13!

Missingmyusername · 13/02/2024 20:11

Not sure if my 12.5 yr old lab (at the time) qualifies. He was fine a couple of hours after surgery and I was asked to come pick him up as he was terrorising everyone, wanting attention etc He had the op at 12 ish and was fine by 5pm you’d have had no idea. He slept a bit when he came in but that was it. I was shocked. He’s on a fair bit of meds too and chronic arthritis.

Original poster
Dog1924 · 13/02/2024 20:52

Wow! Over 16 is a great age to live to!

OP posts:
Original poster
Dog1924 · 13/02/2024 21:28

So far so good with the good outcomes ..

OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/02/2024 21:32

Both mine had dental work last year age 12 and 13. No problems. The older one had back surgery then at 13.5. Vets couldn't believe how quickly and how well she recovered.

cryinglaughing · 13/02/2024 21:36

My 12 year old small breed had teeth out.
He died on the table but they managed to revive him.
He is coming up 14 now and is doing fine, apart from a grade 5 heart murmur.
The vet has said he will never be able to go under anaesthetic again.

Original poster
Dog1924 · 14/02/2024 20:38

cryinglaughing · 13/02/2024 21:36

My 12 year old small breed had teeth out.
He died on the table but they managed to revive him.
He is coming up 14 now and is doing fine, apart from a grade 5 heart murmur.
The vet has said he will never be able to go under anaesthetic again.

Thank goodness they managed to save him, glad he is still around

OP posts:
muddyford · 17/02/2024 12:56

My 12 year old Lab had a 3.5kg spleen tumour removed. Under anaesthetic for several hours. He had no underlying health problems and was like a new dog afterwards.

Gymmum82 · 17/02/2024 13:02

It’s definitely not the norm for old dogs to just die under GA. Yes it happens. Very very rarely. Your dog should be fine and if the vets think he won’t be they should be referring him to someone else who is confident in their abilities in anaesthesia

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 17/02/2024 13:08

Vet here, I anaesthetised my own dog at 15 without any worries. I wouldn't be overly concerned unless your dog had other health issues! Anaesthesia is a risk in any patient, but I've honestly had more issues with young animals who have never had an anaesthetic. You will probably also be offered the option of doing blood tests first to check his liver and kidneys so they can tailor the anaesthetic.

gano · 17/02/2024 13:18

No personal experience, but my cousin had her 15yr old dog put under for extractions last year, and he was fine. He recovered well and is still in good health.

Paulrn · 17/02/2024 13:21

My daughters 14 year old spaniel had an anaesthetic this week and was fine, in fact the vet asked for him to be collected early as he was quite vocal.

gano · 17/02/2024 13:23

Also, I know how scary it is, as my old greyhound (now deceased) had a lot of teeth removed under GA. She was nine at the time but greys don't do well with anaesthesia. It was the best thing I did for her. She had a bumpy recovery, but her quality of life afterwards improved greatly, and she was like a different dog with a new lease of life.

Original poster
Dog1924 · 17/02/2024 13:41

These replies have made me feel so much better!! Thank you this has put my mind to rest and I'm sure he will be fine

OP posts:
Devilshands · 17/02/2024 15:34

My childhood dog had a lump (cancer) removed when he was 14. His breed life expectancy was 10 (to show just how old he really was when he had the op). He lived till he was 16.

Age is nothing but a number. 🙂

survivingunderarock · 17/02/2024 16:20

My last dog had a tooth removed at 16 and an anal gland tumour removed at 17. She was fine.

Original poster
Dog1924 · 16/04/2024 15:46

ElliesMum16 · 13/02/2024 19:21

OP I could have written your post. My 13 and a half year old (also small breed, also gets mistaken for a puppy) is having surgery in a week's time to remove an adenoma and I'm so worried! But it needs to come off so I don't have a choice - I'm trying not to think about it actually. There's the added worry that it could turn out to be malignant, so REALLY trying hard not to think about that one!

I guess in your shoes, if you don't have the extraction done now, will his teeth get worse and force you into more invasive dental work when he's even older?

Hello, how did the op go and how is your little dog doing now?

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 16/04/2024 15:49

My dog had mast cell cancer and was put under to remove the lump at just under 14 years old. He was very dopey for about 36 hours but back to normal not long after.

mooncloud1 · 16/04/2024 15:49

My dog is 6kg and has had many dentals under GA, the last one when he was almost 16, no issues at all. He is now 17 and thinking we need to have another dental under GA. Of course ideally we wouldn't at his age but it will benefit him.
Hopefully your pooch will be fine ☺️