[Sisses Momma]

We have an appt. with the Vet today, Sis's last baby shots/Rabies. Could someone please tell me what the "pre-op" blood work is to ask for. We will be discussing Spaying today as Sisse will be done end of May. I cannot seem to find one exact listing of tests.....Sorry, I know this topic has been hashed out 1,000 times. I just can't quite get my ducks in a row here this morning

 

[jmm]

She needs a CBC (complete blood count) and some chemistry panel.

Each vet has a variety of different chemistry panel options. The tests that must be included for a Maltese are liver values (ALT at least, ALKP too if its available) and kidney values (Creatinine and BUN). Most of the time they offer a smaller preanesthetic panel instead of a comprehensive chemistry panel at a less expensive price. That should be fine for a puppy if these values are included.

Many vets have the dog run in sometime during the week before surgery for bloodwork unless they can run bloodwork in house the morning of the procedure (we can and do).

Its actually a great idea to have a CBC and chemistry panel run once a year on your dog as part of the annual exam. It is a bit more pricey, but gives you base lines for what your dog's normal values are and may alert you to problems before the dog lets you know. In older dogs, it is definately a good idea to do annually. I do Jonathan's full bloodwork once a year before his dental.

 

[Ladysmom]

Just to add my 2 cents to JMM's great advice.....

Always ask for copy of any bloodwork, urinalysis or any other test your vet runs. I find it helps me understand the results better better to go home and re-read this (see link below) no matter how well my vet explains it! It's also helpful to compare results from previous years.

http://www.bichonfriseusa.com/caninebloodwork.htm

 

[Sisses Momma]

Thanks JMM and Marj, I knew I could count on you two to answer this post!! I'm a little worried about the Rabies vac......possible reaction?

 

[ilove_d&m]

Originally posted by Sisses Momma@Mar 31 2005, 11:10 AM
I'm a little worried about the Rabies vac......possible reaction?
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[/QUOTE]

I know all babies react different with vaccs. My Maya was about 5 or 6lbs when she had her rabbies vacc done and she did really good she did not had any reactions from it
I hope your babies does well too

I don't really remember daezie's

I'm pretty sure she did well too but she is not a standard size Maltese. i thik she was about 7-8 lbs when she had her rabbies vacc

 

[Chelsey]

Please ask for the blood work before they spay. My vet told me it include checking the liver ,kidney's and more. This way they can determin if there is a problem before they start the procedure. When I mentioned it to our recepitionsist last week they did not have a clue of what I was talking about and because I did not know exactly what it was used for I could not explain it. If this happens to you ask to speak to the Vet. Once you say blood work to the vet they will know .

 

[jmm]

You should schedule the vaccine so you can be home with the dog for a few hours afterwards. Signs of a vaccine reaction include facial swelling/welts on the body, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe lethargy. If these occur, you should recheck with the vet immediately as some reactions can get quite severe. Some dogs have just a mild reaction where they are quiet for the rest of the day and may be a little sore afterwards.

If your dogs has a reaction, before the next vaccine your vet should pretreat your dog with benadryl and may even ask to keep the dog for the day for observation. We usually just have the client drop the dog off for the day so we can watch them in ICU just to be extra safe.

I wait until between 4-6 months to give rabies, usually trying to do it later is possible to help separate the vaccines.

 

[Furbaby's Mommie]

A lot of dogs, especially Malts, are sensitive to the Lepto shot. It is usually included in the "7 or 8 in One" booster, but you can ask for the combo without Lepto. Some doctors aren't even giving Lepto anymore. Too many reactions. For toy dogs it is best to give each vaccination type separately maybe a week or two apart instead of in a combination shot. The combo shots are almost more than their little immune systems can handle. Even with the benadryl before the shot, Frosty almost didn't make it several times until we took the lepto out of his shot. Now at 13 he hasn't had anything except rabis booster (required here every 3 years) for several years. After a lot of reading and disscussion with several vets, I've decided at his age and low exposure he doesn't need the added burden on his immune system, his last 2 vets have agreed that after a few years of yearly boosters they probably don't need all the yearly boosters. You can have a blood test for titers if you want to check their immune statis. The boosters that made him sickest were the Lepto, Rabis (always given separately), and Lyme.
I definitely would not give your baby the Rabis at the same time of spaying.

 

[puppylucy]

lucy had her rabies shot at her last appt (she was almost 3 pounds maybe?) and she reacted not at all. i'm sure sisse will be fine too

before she got her last shots, i hadn't heard anything about rabies being bad.. :new_Eyecrazy: i thought that well, its required by state, so it's fine. i count myself lucky that she didnt have a reaction at all.

 

[020202]

Izzy just had her rabies shots at the same time as her booster shots! I didn't know...

Izzy is 4 months old and weighs 3.0 lbs. She did not have a reaction at all, not one bit of difference in her behavior. I bet you are able to say the same thing about Sisse. Lots of hugs and luck.

 

[kodie]

A pre-op blood test is VERY important!

Thats how they found about kodie had liver problems! Your a good mommy to ask all these questions because some people that have dogs (not a maltese but other breeds) dont even care about blood tests! Whats wrong with those people?!? -_- I think I can add Kodie's breeder to that list! hahaha.. they dont do blood tests either!

 

[Sisses Momma]

Just a follow-up. We had a great Vet visit yesterday!! Got all our questions answered, yes, they use the right anesthesia, they actually call in a DVM that does all their anesthesia for their surgeries, she is a specialist (that made me comfortable). They do ALL pre surgery bloodwork (liver panel, kidney etc). Sis got her Rabies shot and honestly she never missed a beat all afternoon and evening!! She was doing the Malt 500 as usual after a good supper and did not show any signs of trouble.

The Vet asked why/how I knew so much about everything we had asked her.....I was a little afraid she would think I was questioning HER. I told her all about the SM website and she said "it sounds like there is a very knowledgeable and loving group of people out there". She took down the web address so she could "pass this on to ALL my Maltese owners because most of them don't have a clue what they are dealing with". So all you wonderful people out there that help us new Malt Momma's and Dads should be thrilled to death, you all got the seal of approval from a great VET!!

Sisse has had a very good 4 weeks evidently as far as "growing" goes. I am truly shocked at her weight....

6.4 lbs

. Dr. R was "very happy with her weight, she will most likely not have many of the issues that come with having a very small Maltese". She figures Sis will end up in the 8-10 lb range. She reminded me, after my gasp at Sis's weight, that "she's NOT a dog for the Show Ring, she's a very loveable, sturdy addition to your family and will bring you years and years of love and companionship".

We just love her to death!!

So, thank you all for the great advice and as always the support!! We go back in 1 month to check the progress of her teeth. She has lost quite a few, in fact when she "smiles" you can see she has lost all 4 of the bottom teeth right in front!!

I also asked Dr. R to check her anal glands and they were "moderately full" so she took care of those as well....

 

[Furbaby's Mommie]

Congrats on a good vet visit!! Sisses sounds wonderful and just right for a pet! With Frosty aging I've been looking to find a good breeder with healthy Malts that get to be 7-10 lb., for a future baby. He is 10 lb. and we think just right. If people say "I thought Maltese were little teacup dogs", I just say, oh he's a GIANT Maltese! Most people don't know a Maltese anyway when they see one unless it is in show coat like they see on a TV dog show. It's hard to find one with good size and good bone. The money is in the tiny ones. Fortunately they do crop up ocassionally even in the best breeding programs and can't be shown even if perfect otherwise, so guess who gets them? We pet people do!