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Surgical Guidelines for Great Danes These protocols are recommended by the GDCA and approved by Dr. Kitty Kenyon Try to find a veterinarian experienced with surgeries involving giant breeds. Spays are best planned in anestrous, about 3 monts after the last heat. Prior to surgery request that your veterinarian do a complete physical exam. Please have a pre-surgical blood screen done. Make sure that surgical fluids will be given during the procedure. Pulse oximetry and cardiac monitoring should also be done during the surgical procedure. Agents for induction that are good in giant breeds are Propofol or valium and ketamine. Sevoflurane or isoflurane are acceptable gases to maintain anesthesia. Acepromazine, rompum and thiopentals are less appropriate choices in giant breeds. Please be sure that adequate pain control will be given to your Dane. Make sure that adequate measures will be done to prevent hypothermia- such as warming IV fluids, circulating heating pads, bubble wrap and blankets. This is very important. Temperature monitoring should be done througout the recovery period. The dog should not be put on a concrete floor without adequate bedding when in the recovery period. Make sure that this is adressed before you drop off your dog for surgery. Be sure to talk to your vet and staff about handling a giant breed during the anesthesia. They should never allow the dog's neck and head to dangle off the operating table during surgery and the head should be supported on both sides with towels or some other support. Many vets who do not do a lot of giant breeds do not recognize the importance of supporting that head and neck. This needs to be supported during the anesthesia, and also transport to the recovery room. Many giant breeds have had slipped disc or be diagnosed with Wobblers syndrome after surgery because their head and necks have not been supported during the anesthesia. |
