Monthly Preventatives for Dog With Epilepsy

[michele, puddy & milo]

Wondering if anyone has any input on this. I am always concerned about introducing any new chemical or medicine to my epileptic dog. I live in Southern CA, our incidence of heart worm is so low (though not non-existent), that most vets here don't recommend heart worm preventatives. But fleas and definitely tics are an issue. I have used frontline in the past, until my other (non seizure prone) dog developed a really irritated burn looking spot on his back where I was putting it - and that was every other month. So, I stopped it on both dogs, but spring is coming and I know I need to be prepared for fleas. Is this an issue for you guys.

What also makes me nervous - putting him under anesthesia and its time for a dental - has anyone hear had experience with that?

Thanks!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Let me first address the anesthesia issue.  When Mariner was neutered (already having seizures) our vet did the surgery at another facility that he is associate with.  In consultation with neurologists they used a different anesthesia protocol and had another vet monitoring Mariner during the procedure.  He was also watched carefully for the next few hours.  Also unless it is absolutely necessary Mariner will not have any procedure requiring anesthesia.  If I were putting a dog with seizures under anesthesia I would be first consulting a neurologist and have it done at a facility that can handle any emergency that might occur.

As for the flea and tic meds - they can lower seizure threshold.  We use frontline plus without problem. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

One thing I would like to add regarding anesthesia: 

Although I've been responsible for the care of my own dogs since 1977, I never thought about the fact that when a dog is put under anesthesia for a procedure at the vet's office, the vet is the person who administers the anesthesia as well as performs whatever procedure is being done, and monitoring during the procedure is done by the vet techs. There is normally no anesthesiologist present.

When JD had to be put under for his endoscopy and colonoscopy, he was in poor condition and the internist called in a veterinary anesthesiologist; ordinarily, she would have administered and monitored the anesthetic herself. I was happy to authorize this and pay the extra $300 in order to have the anesthesiologist present throughout the procedure.

While it may not be possible to have an anesthesiologist present for dental cleanings in the G.P. vet's office, there are also veterinary dentists who specialize in performing dental procedures on dogs with special needs or conditions. That might be something worth looking into.  

[michele, puddy & milo]

So - what do you guys think of the non-anesthesia version of teeth cleaning? Sometimes grooming shops offer them, possibly my vet as well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't really know much about it. I begged them when JD had his teeth cleaned to try to do it without putting him under, as he is so cooperative with all procedures. he has even allowed the tech to do a little hand-scaling without even requiring a second person to help keep his mouth open, lol. But the vet said that the noise of the instrument would be too much for him. This was back in 2011, maybe they have other methods now. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Wow, I just saw this post and definitely have feelings about it.  When Groucho was having a lilttle surgery to remove a cyst from his anal area, I asked the vet if she would clean his teeth at the same time since he was going to be under anesthesia anyway.  Well, they ended up giving him three anesthesias (pre, regular, and additional) and he had a terrible reaction.  It cost much more to clear up his reaction than it did for the surgery and teeth cleaning.  Then, for his next surgery (more cysts), I had the vet do it with laser rather than anesthesia.  He had no problem with that at all.  As for the teeth cleaning, I now do it myself.  I make a mixture of peroxide, baking soda, and beef-flavored canine toothpaste and put it on with a toothbrush and then rub it with a little abrasive cloth.  I scrape off any tartar with dental tools. Works for us.  Avoid anesthesia is at all possible.