I need help w/ decision (long) Cross-Post
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I need help w/ decision (long) Cross-Post
Submitted by admin on April 20, 2010 - 5:26pmSome of you have probably read my post within the last week, sorry if I'm repeating anything. I have a 2year old Male named Monte. I live in San Diego. Recently my husband and i have decided to have Monte's soft palate trimmed and remove his protruding tonsils. The reason being he has a hard time breathing and cooling down after only a short period of playing.
MY DELEMA:
#1: I can drive almost 2 hrs away to this well known bulldog vet and have them do the surgery for around $400.00. This vet does the surgury without laser (the old fashion way)and he has to stay the night without anyone there at night. Also we have to make the drive again to pick him up and then maybe a post op appointment. Finally, God Forbid anything went wrong when we have him home, we would have to take him to E.R. where they are unfamilar with what he had done.
#2: Or i can can to a well known vet that works with all breeds that is only 10 minutes away. I have never been to him but have heard great things of him, plus a friend works with the clinic. He does the surgery with laser (quicker recovery), Monte can come home that night, they are close for re visits, but the cost id close to $1000.00
My Question: The money isn't really the problem. Its weather I should go with the Bulldog Vet that is so far away and risk having to travel back up incase of any infection? Or should i pay more with a vet that doesn't specialize in just bulldogs, but is local in case anything should happen? Also which would you opt for: The laser surgury or just the old fashion way? Pleas any advice. Also thanks for taking time to read.
HMMMMM...I'd ask
I'd ask more questions of vet as far as anesthesia each one uses and if they are the same for each vet then the effect of the anesthesia which is the reason for the highest part of the risk of surgery, wouldn't be any different...has the laser vet ever done a bulldog??? Is that procedure longer or shorter than the procedure that the bulldog vet does...the shorter the procedure, the less time under anesthesia which would also reduce the risk...Is there a vet college around to call and compare the risks of the different techniques???
Good luck
Lorraine
My opinion
I would go for the Bulldogvet at a two hours drive. Surgery on Bulldogs is always a risk, and a vet with Bulldogexperience is always an advantage.
I personally traveled 45 min for the same surgery (Holland isn't that big), while some vets are in my village. I visit this vet in my village, when something normal is going on, like shots, bladderstones, ears etc. The moment the recovery isn't good enough to my opinion I make an appointment with the Bulldogvet.
Do you have a car with airco? If not, rent one, that is very usefull for the drive home. Lucky had his palate done at the Bulldogvet (along with a x/ray of his trachea and his elbow) we were present at his waking up, and he walked out all by himself. He didn't want to sleep on the way back home, but was fine.
We didn't have to return, because everything was going well. So we phoned the vet after a few days.
I'd recommend the laser (long)
My bulldog had the surgery with the laser and she didn't seem to have any pain(she might have had a sore throat due to breathing tube or maybe laser-acted a little funny with drinking for a day) and we got to take her home that day...
The laser also has less chance of infection it vacuums up the wasted tissue.. It closes and SEALS the surgery sight so no stitches. They also lasered her nose(nares) out--made them bigger and they turned pink...but after 2 weeks have turned black again...
The vet said I could put neosporin up her nose if I thought It was to red or crusty which I only Did once. WHICH IS ALL MY BULLY WOULD LET ME DO...she hates any ointment to be put on her anywhere....
SHE IS FUNNY NOW THOUGH SINCE THE OPENED HER NARES(NOSE) SHE PUTS HER NOSE AGAINST EVERYTHING AND PRESSES DOWN SO SHE CAN GET A BETTER SMELL....IT'S LIKE SHE CAN SMELL for the FIRST TIME....