X-rays

[Pomp]

One of my dog's knees is being X-rayed today and the vet mentioned on the phone that they might have to sedate him in order to get the X-ray done.

Is this going a little overboard? And is it safe for the dog? Any harmful side effects?

Thanks.

 

[doberkim]

its perfectly fine and usually safe as long as precautions are taken (depending on what agents are used). many dogs are not calm and will not sit still for radiographs, so to make the process easier on them, they provide some chemical restraint.

 

[Pomp]

My dogs can be very mellow and when I have taken them to the vet before, they just sit there so I don't think they'll have to sedate him. However, something about injecting a sedative into my dog just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[doberkim]

well, sitting there when you are there for an exam is a lot different than having to have radiographs taken. the dog needs to be perfectly still and hold a position, and many clinics do not have sandbags that can restrain a dog, and its not always safe to have someone restrain the dog (As they get exposed to the xrays).

in terms of what your dog had radiographs - i am assuming there is somethign wrong with his knee if he needs radiographs? in that case - his knee is probably painful and he may resist having it positioned the way it is necessary to do the radiographs - in addition, some of the views needed are NOT natural positions for a dog, and many require exact angles (90 degrees in each joint) to accurately evaluate the knee.

did your dog blow his cruciate?

 

[doberkim]

for the record, orthopedic radiographs are one of the few radiographs that we almost ALWAYS have to sedate. most animals need these radiographs for a reason - and with that reason comes pain.

 

[filarotten]

I would ask the vet if it is necessary to sedate your dog while being x rayed...I have never had a dog that had to be sedated for x rays.
I just hate having mine sedated unless it's necessary.

 

[Pomp]

well, sitting there when you are there for an exam is a lot different than having to have radiographs taken. the dog needs to be perfectly still and hold a position, and many clinics do not have sandbags that can restrain a dog, and its not always safe to have someone restrain the dog (As they get exposed to the xrays).

in terms of what your dog had radiographs - i am assuming there is somethign wrong with his knee if he needs radiographs? in that case - his knee is probably painful and he may resist having it positioned the way it is necessary to do the radiographs - in addition, some of the views needed are NOT natural positions for a dog, and many require exact angles (90 degrees in each joint) to accurately evaluate the knee.

did your dog blow his cruciate?

My dog has a luxating patella (don't know if I spelled it right). Basically, when he walks outside, he will sometimes pick up his back right leg and hop on three legs for about 1-2 seconds. I've taken him to the vet before to have it looked at and they said it was a non-issue.

He is not in any pain. He has full movement. He doesn't whimper or whine. It's basically a trick knee. And what is odd is that it only occurs on cement, no other type of surface.

The reason why I am taking him back to the vet is because he seems to be hopping a little more lately.

 

[shepluvr]

I agree with doberkim. Even the best behaved dogs will not relax enough to hold some of the positions required to get good x-rays of joints. Some are afraid of the noise from the machine, and some just won't lay on their backs with their legs full extended and pulled without resisting. These positions are not natural for the dog so they resist them rightfully so. Most sedatives they use for these films are very short acting and the dogs are up in a short amount of time.

 

[Calnorthdawg]

If you feel uncomfortable about your dog being sedated then try to go in and hold your dog. This is what I did when my dog had to have x-rays done. She was very calm with my being there and I just set her up, told her "stay" and she was as still as a rock.

 

[aelizilly]

Bailey has now had to have x-rays twice. They did not sedate him for either of them. He is an extremely hyper puppy. I was surprised they got him still enough to take the pic's. I would personally not feel comfortable with him needing sedated for x-rays, but I am by no means an expert on this topic. I personally might try and get a second opinion on the matter.

 

[lpollockandrsn]

Even the best behaved dogs don't often appreciate having their legs pulled straight for an xray. It can be uncomfortable and it is at least unnatural for them. They often don't relax or hold still enough to get a good picture without a mild sedative. Some do, some don't. If he is upset about it it is probably kinder to ok the sedative.

 

[Pomp]

OK...so I went to the vet to have his knee checked out.

The doctored tried to "luxate" (again spelling?) his knee, but couldn't. It appeared completely fine. And Fritz showed no signs of pain. In fact, after the doctor was done with his knee, he just plopped down on the table, rolled over, and wanted the doctor to rub his belly. Too funny.

So we really don't know why Fritz is doing this. We think it might be out of habit. He may have been injured before we rescued him and he remembers it so he jumps around on that back right foot out of habit. I guess??

I did schedule an X-ray for three weeks out and I'm going to journal how he acts and go from there.

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

My ridgeback got bit by my lab and hurt her neck and needed a couple of stiches on her lip. They had to sedate her to xray her neck. I had just gotten her from the breeder so she was really young. When the sedation was wearing off she shook like you would not believe. They said that was normal. I dont recommend it until you have explored every option.