Vet refuses to Spay Sky; Clotting factor at 20% - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

**FairSky** · 02-08-2010, 10:01 PM

*I am ordering the vetgen test tomorrow*

Sky was supposed to be spayed tomorrow, my vet called me this afternoon and informed me that they would have to cancel the spay - her clotting test came back and said that she was only producing about 20% of the normal amount of clotting factor.

They are calling her vWD affected and refuse to do her spay.

Initially I wanted the vetgen test rather than the clotting test because it was more accurate; however my vet assured me that this test would tell them whether or not they could spay and was approx the same price. Also, this test would be faster than the vetgen test, and we wanted to get her spayed before her first heat. I figure, well she's not getting bred so as long as i know she's ''most likely'' this or that, I'll be fine. I didn't really think she'd be affected.

I am going to order the vetgen test tomorrow, so I can know definitively so that I can a, go back to the vet and let them know and b, take it to the byb and get my money back, as per my contract, as well as let her know the kind of dogs she's produced.

I know that her day to day life will be no different, that she will not have any inkling that she has a problem, but I can't help but be upset. Upset at the breeder and upset at myself for not doing the research. Sky is seven months old and already labeled as diseased. I am praying that this is the only one.

I have one question, Sky's brother Boss is from the same litter and had his ears cropped. The vet that did it didn't say anything to his parents, and didn't do any sort of clotting test before the procedure. I suppose all that means is that he didn't have a bad reaction. It seems really that depending on the vWD status of the parents, Boss could be either clear, carrier, or affected. Do any vets test before they crop ears? Or is it not that problematic of a surgery?

gracieface · 02-08-2010, 10:08 PM

the vetgen test is DNA, not the same thing, lots of vets don't want to operate on a dog with poor clotting. Were there any problems when she was cropped?
I know of a dog in my village that was neutered but they had to try several vets to find one that would do it and it was very expensive b/c they had to bring in extra blood in case he needed a transfusion.
on a positive note, if the DNA test says carrier or clear, I'd see what can be done to boost her clotting. Vetgen is quick, with getting the results sent by email, you get an answer in about 2 weeks.

**FairSky** · 02-08-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracieface

the vetgen test is DNA, not the same thing, lots of vets don't want to operate on a dog with poor clotting. Were there any problems when she was cropped?
I know of a dog in my village that was neutered but they had to try several vets to find one that would do it and it was very expensive b/c they had to bring in extra blood in case he needed a transfusion.
on a positive note, if the DNA test says carrier or clear, I'd see what can be done to boost her clotting. Vetgen is quick, with getting the results sent by email, you get an answer in about 2 weeks.

Yes, I know the Vetgen is DNA, not the same thing, my vet convinced me it was all she needed.

Sky isn't cropped, and I don't know what happened when she was docked or had her dews removed. BYB didn't tell me.

I'm still searching for stuff that could be done to boost clotting and on dogs who are affected.

Motomutt · 02-08-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairSky

*I am ordering the vetgen test tomorrow*

Sky was supposed to be spayed tomorrow, my vet called me this afternoon and informed me that they would have to cancel the spay - her clotting test came back and said that she was only producing about 20% of the normal amount of clotting factor.

They are calling her vWD affected and refuse to do her spay.

Initially I wanted the vetgen test rather than the clotting test because it was more accurate; however my vet assured me that this test would tell them whether or not they could spay and was approx the same price. Also, this test would be faster than the vetgen test, and we wanted to get her spayed before her first heat. I figure, well she's not getting bred so as long as i know she's ''most likely'' this or that, I'll be fine. I didn't really think she'd be affected.

I am going to order the vetgen test tomorrow, so I can know definitively so that I can a, go back to the vet and let them know and b, take it to the byb and get my money back, as per my contract, as well as let her know the kind of dogs she's produced.

I know that her day to day life will be no different, that she will not have any inkling that she has a problem, but I can't help but be upset. Upset at the breeder and upset at myself for not doing the research. Sky is seven months old and already labeled as diseased. I am praying that this is the only one.

I have one question, Sky's brother Boss is from the same litter and had his ears cropped. The vet that did it didn't say anything to his parents, and didn't do any sort of clotting test before the procedure. I suppose all that means is that he didn't have a bad reaction. It seems really that depending on the vWD status of the parents, Boss could be either clear, carrier, or affected. Do any vets test before they crop ears? Or is it not that problematic of a surgery?

I had the same thing happen to my older boy, I had taken him in to be neutered and the vet called me on the way to work and told me to come back and get him because his clotting factor was too low I believe he told me that it was 40, he was 6 at the time, so when it came for him to have Ventral Slot surgery January 2009 I was very nervous, the specialty vet told me that I needed to be aware that I need to be prepared to have to pay for blood but he had told me during the whole surgery he maybe dripped 1 drop of blood.

I would definetly would do the Vetgen test, I do not think that the Elisa test is very accurate.

Debbie L

Debbie

DreamValley · 02-08-2010, 10:52 PM

My last Doberman was affected and had two successful surgeries... maybe you should fine another vet?

StarlaineK9 · 02-09-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairSky

*I am ordering the vetgen test tomorrow*

Sky was supposed to be spayed tomorrow, my vet called me this afternoon and informed me that they would have to cancel the spay - her clotting test came back and said that she was only producing about 20% of the normal amount of clotting factor.

They are calling her vWD affected and refuse to do her spay.

Initially I wanted the vetgen test rather than the clotting test because it was more accurate; however my vet assured me that this test would tell them whether or not they could spay and was approx the same price. Also, this test would be faster than the vetgen test, and we wanted to get her spayed before her first heat. I figure, well she's not getting bred so as long as i know she's ''most likely'' this or that, I'll be fine. I didn't really think she'd be affected.

I am going to order the vetgen test tomorrow, so I can know definitively so that I can a, go back to the vet and let them know and b, take it to the byb and get my money back, as per my contract, as well as let her know the kind of dogs she's produced.

I know that her day to day life will be no different, that she will not have any inkling that she has a problem, but I can't help but be upset. Upset at the breeder and upset at myself for not doing the research. Sky is seven months old and already labeled as diseased. I am praying that this is the only one.

I have one question, Sky's brother Boss is from the same litter and had his ears cropped. The vet that did it didn't say anything to his parents, and didn't do any sort of clotting test before the procedure. I suppose all that means is that he didn't have a bad reaction. It seems really that depending on the vWD status of the parents, Boss could be either clear, carrier, or affected. Do any vets test before they crop ears? Or is it not that problematic of a surgery?

First off you do need the DNA test which will tell you with out a doubt, clear carrier or affected. Second, vwd is not a severe problem in dobermans. Unfortunately many uninformed vets feak out at the prospect of surgery on a doberman based on what they have heard only and not reality.

Even if your dog is affected it is absolutely not the end of the world and most likely will cause no ill effects. One thing you can do for the spay is to have plasma (cryoprecipitate) available during the spay just in case. Your vet can order it for you and if they don't know what I am talking about get another vet! The plasma can be transfused if there is excessive bleeding but I bet you won't have a problem. I have owned several affecteds over the years and surgery has never been an issue. One of my bitches years ago was a 9% on the old Elisa test and she never had one problem even when spayed. One time she ripped a toenail right out of the toe bed...bled a bit but nothing horrible.

You might want to call around and talk to some other vets and tell them your concerns....you may find one that is more up on using plasma (or even another dog for transfusing) if needed.

With regard to ears, many breeders do the DNA swabs before ear crop....always useful to know if there is a chance you have affecteds in the litter. Lucky for me I have had clear or carrier only in my last several.....

Good luck and best regards,

Murreydobe · 02-09-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlaineK9

One thing you can do for the spay is to have plasma (cryoprecipitate) available during the spay just in case. Your vet can order it for you and if they don't know what I am talking about get another vet! ,

What I did when I had an affected dog neutered was use a vet clinic who carried fresh frozen plasma at all times for emergencies. That way they didn't have to order it specifically for me, and I only had to pay for what they used (which turned out to be NONE for the neuter). If they have to order it for you, you usually have to pay for it whether your dog needs it or not.

It's really a good idea to find out which vet clinics store frozen plasma anyway if you have an affected dog. Not all of them do.

vivienne00 · 02-09-2010, 09:09 AM

The vet should also perform the buccal muscose test just before spaying. This test is a small cut to the inside of the cheek and it is timed to see how long it takes to clot. Clotting can vary within one dog day to day and this test is at the time of surgery and gives the vet a clear picture of what clotting will be going on that day.

My vet always brought in her own personal lab who had been cross-matched to my dog (at no cost to me) for transfusion SHOULD IT BE NEEDED. That way I didn't have to pay for unneeded plasma. I checked around my area and only the emergency vet that is 1 hour away has plasma - the 24hr one closer does not - go figure what sort of an ER vet that must be...