Should my dog get blood work before anesthesia for dental cleaning?

My vet just told me that my dog is very healthy, but he needs his teeth cleaned. He suggested blood work, but he said it's optional. I just want to hear what you think. He is 2.5 yrs old. He did go under a few times before (in a very short period due to emergency) w/o any problems. I would like to know what kind of dog (age, breed, etc) are more in 'need' to check blood before getting anesthesia. Thanks.

Should my dog get blood work before anesthesia for dental cleaning?
Generally, dogs under five do well with anesthesia and routine procedures like dentals without having blood work done. I choose to have blood work done for dentals if my dogs haven't had recent blood work. It's a good precaution and gives you a history that can be looked back at for comparative reasons. I had blood work done when my young Chihuahua was spayed and don't regret it. You can either have a CBC (complete blood count) done or a blood chemistry profile. I've included a site here that you can read...if you scroll down, it talks about the necessity of annual blood work on older animals that appear to be healthy. You might ask if your vet does the blood work predental inhouse. Usually, those tests that do not go out to a lab are less expensive. I think it's very important that you ask if they are planning to use one of the safer anesthetics like Isoflorane. I'm not a big fan of Ketamine being used on any of my animals and have instructions in their files to never use it. Good luck! You sound like a marvelous dog owner!!
Reply:your vet would be the one to know
Reply:I think you have a serious over-thinking problem. Me, I just have insomnia so this is what I do to kill time.
Reply:It's a money maker for the vet. If your dog is healthy and young, it is a lot less likely to have problems and the anesthesia they use today is much safer..isoflorane. I spayed my two at 5 yrs with no bloodwork, they both did fine.
Reply:No, they only do it to see if he will react to the anesthesia and they rarely do. Plus, they can still react after the blood testing. It really is just a way to get more $$. I have NEVER had them do the blood work and I have had a lot of dogs/cats fixed. And just had my cockers teeth cleaned.





I don't think it is a breed issue at all..I wouldn't worry about it at all.. What kind dog is he? That is pretty young to need his teeth cleaned..





After you have it done, give him raw bones from the butcher at least once a week and you wont need to have that done again for a very long time, if at all...
Reply:YES YES YES!!!! It is a breed issue! Some dogs do not do well with it and some do. I have English Mastiffs and they dont due well at all so the bloodwork is a minor investment. Please have the pre op done.
Reply:Young and healthy dogs usually do just fine. The older and less healthy should probably have the bloodwork done.





I question why a 2.5 yr old would need to have their teeth cleaned. What are you feeding? I had an 18 mo old rescue whose teeth were really dirty. To look in his mouth, he had the teeth of an 8 yr old dog. I started him on a good food and within a couple of weeks, his teeth cleaned up. They looked like what an 18 mo. old's teeth should be.
Reply:Collies, Shelties and Sighthounds (like Afghans and Greyhounds) are at the highest risk for anesthesia problems.





A young and healthy dog probably doesn't need bloodwork before teeth cleaning. But why does he need his teeth cleaned so young? THAT'S unusual, unless you've been feeding those crappy fake hamburger foods, or he's a toy dog like a Yorkie. Might pay to get a second opinion if you're not sure?