I am having Sophie spayed and have a few questions

I just made her an appointment for August 1st (she's a 6 month old beagle) and they gave me a list of options that I can choose on the day of the surgery.

There's laser surgery which costs $50 more than the regular surgery. Is it worth the extra $$$?

There's a test of the liver and kidney funtions that is optional and runs $42.

An optional pain injection that runs about $10

Optional go-home pain meds running $7-$8.

Of course I would love to choose all the options but if I do it doubles the price from just the basic surgery.

I know most of you have had your pets fixed, so did you get all this done?

My dog is a male so no meds needed for going home - just someone to explain to him that he had to take it easy for 10 days. I was not given options - I go for the works anyway - particularly all blood related work - anything that might indicate an unknown health condition - actually after my experiences with my last pup, the pre-surgery tests scare me more - they can reveal so much. Laser surgery was not an option for me.

I just did regular surgery with Kayla, no tests or pain meds. The vet didn't think anything else was necessary with her. I did get the liver test done with Momma Cat though before spaying her because I didn't know her history and wanted to be sure she was healthy. But you've had Sophie since she was a wee pup and haven't had problems with her right? The liver test seems kinda pointless unless you think your dog could be sick. The pain meds... well, if she seems like she's in pain then you could always go back and grab the meds right? What's the "pain injection"? Is that right after the surgery? I might do that one since it's only $10 and might help ease some initial pain. Just my personal opinion though. I'm not a vet though so if they think you should get something done then get it done! Good luck!

I just made her an appointment for August 1st (she's a 6 month old beagle) and they gave me a list of options that I can choose on the day of the surgery.

There's laser surgery which costs $50 more than the regular surgery. Is it worth the extra $$$?

Is the laser proven to make the incision smaller and less intese on your pup? I would consider this if it's safer, although I don't know much about it.

However, I don't think you need to do anything except the pain injections and meds. I'll be honest, I don't know what they did on Maximus for his neutering- I just know it came out to $300! I just trust my vet a lot because I always worked with him as a child... however more recently (especially after coming here) I've been taking him with a grain of salt.

I would go with the laser, but the other stuff is just that stuff. My angel was spayed by laser, no meds or anything else. She recovered quickly

I was really considering doing the laser because the vet said there's less pain and faster recovery. I don't think there's anything wrong with her so I don't think I'll do the other tests. Pain meds, maybe.

I would do the pain injection and pain meds and thats it.
Surgery hurts!!!!

I would do the pain injection and meds even with the laser just to be safe though... you never know if they are still in pain... after all, they can't talk! :D

I do the pre-op tests once when they're little (or when I first get them), because if there is a kidney issue, the doggy could die from the anaesthesia. Then I only do it as they get to be very old and need to go under again.

The pills/pain injection- who wouldn't want those? ;)

The lazor-- depends how new it is. I wouldn't want my doggy to be the first. Or the tenth. The 75th? Ok then. :)

I have no money, but I never spare an expense for my doggies. :love:

oh yeah... prin is right- I did have a blood test on Maximus before his neutering. Just to check his kidney's etc. I wanted to be safe.

I would do the bloodwork and skip the pain meds. After the surgery you are going to want to keep her quiet for a few days. Not giving her pain meds will do that naturally and you won't have to worry about keeping her crated for days at a time.

All of the pets in my family have been speutered and none of them were given pain meds when they came home. While they were uncomfortable enough to avoid things like running around the yard and jumping on the furniture, they didn't give any indication at all of being in pain.

I had my lab spayed last October and she had the laser spay. So you wouldn't be the first one .... I might have been!! :eek:

I thought it was great but I also paid for all the extras and it cost me close to $500.00. I thought it was better then the old way because Jersey didn't seem bothered at all! She didn't try to lick at it through the 2 weeks of healing and she never had to wear the cone!

I think if you have the extra money to spend it's probably worth it but if you don't the "old" way has been doing the job for alot of years!! :)

I think the laser is up to you. I do hear that it is less painful. As far as the pain meds I would want them if I was in her place. If she is fine do not give them to her but if she needs them at least they are there. :D

I skipped the kidney function one... I figured I knew the mother and breeder that there should be no problem. and why test if there is no symptoms of there being a problem? I'd spend to money on the pain meds. I also paid and extra for IV fluids during surgery (supposed to be easier coming out of anistisia and faster recovery)

Thanks! I think I will get the pain meds because I remember how I felt after having my c-section. That's the only surgery I've ever had and it was VERRRY painful! No, I didn't scream and cry (showing signs of pain), I was in so much pain that all I wanted to do was lay there and not move. And if I did move it HURT!!!

I know it's not the same thing but it still has to be painful. So I think what I will do is get the laser surgery and the pain meds and just cross my fingers on the other.

I have a feeling at the last minute I'll probably just throw in the blood tests too just because I'm paranoid. But that's the plan for right now.

I would do the bloodwork and skip the pain meds. After the surgery you are going to want to keep her quiet for a few days. Not giving her pain meds will do that naturally and you won't have to worry about keeping her crated for days at a time.


That's actually a pretty good point. We do feel pain for a reason (to let us know we're hurt and make us take it easy when we need to). Humans can use common sense and rest after surgery, but a dog may not be so wise... If Sophie doesn't feel pain she might run around and end up hurting herself and making the healing process even longer. Mind you, my crazy Kayla Monster didn't have pain meds and she still ran all over the place :rolleyes: