Due to the natural physiological deterioration that occurs with age, experts estimate that the risk of anesthetic death increases as much as seven times for dogs older than 12 years of age.
Oftentimes, older dogs have significant underlying diseases that complicate their ability to be anesthetized with a good outcome..
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that dogs over ten years old not receive general anesthesia unless there is a medical reason to do so..
If your pet is in good health and likely to enjoy several more active years, our veterinarian may recommend surgery.
That said, if your pet is approaching the end of life, struggling with pain, widespread cancer, declining health, or any other medical issues, the veterinarian may recommend putting your pet to sleep..
In general, senior dogs may need tooth extractions for the following reasons:
Dental care, including:
The answer may not be what you’d expect.
Age is not a disease, and your dog is never “too old” to receive the quality care he or she needs, even if it requires anesthesia and surgery.
Let’s discuss how to reduce the risks of surgery for your senior dog and why quality care at every age is critical.
If your senior dog is having tooth troubles, please speak with your veterinarian.
He or she would be happy to walk you through the pros and cons of a dental procedure and answer any questions you might have about the anesthesia or extractions.
Like any procedure, it does have its risks.
