Anaesthetic & degenerative myelopathy

[lehughes]

Question for discussion:

I'm just wondering if other (or how many others) have found a correlation between the onset of degenerative myelopathy (i.e. the gene gets 'woken up') and a recent anaesthetic for a procedure (i.e. a dental or a TPLO).

We have, and I wonder how many others have as well...
It's just interesting to me.

Cheers,

Laurie

[vetsurgsj]

I think that for longer dental or orthopedic procedures on especially large breed, older dogs, that
an underlying neurologic problem can be exacerbated due to immobility for a long period of time and repositioning under anesthesia.
Nothing is proven with this, but in general I do caution owners of large and giant breed dogs with known neurologic problems that general anesthesia can make them worse, because I have seen this.
Caroline Garzotto

[lehughes]

I totally agree Caroline!
I've seen that too!
The few cases I've seen with the DM after anaesthetic have been DNA 'proven' DM (not neuro from discs).
But I do think there should be some degree of caution with these older guys... but one 'does what one has to do' when problems arise!

Laurie

[JaneHK]

Oh my gosh!!! Yesssssss. We do not have easy DM testing available here but there are a few of my suspect cases that have markedly deteriorated neurologically. Wowser. Thank you for your insight!