Up until the late fifties and early sixties, the successful outcome of many surgical procedures for older dogs was somewhat uncertain. This was due in small part to the surgical techniques and materials employed at the time, but primarily to the types of anesthetics that were available then. Those anesthetics were often unpredictable, sometimes produced longer periods of anesthesia than were needed for the operation, and they had to be detoxified and eliminated largely by the liver and kidneys, organs which usually are already under stress in the older dog.
These problems sometimes prompted many conscientious veterinarians to advise clients that "your dog is too old to anesthetize or be operated on." What they were really saying was that the risk from surgery and anesthesia was at least as great, or greater, than the risk from whatever was wrong with the dog.
Today that situation has radically changed. Anesthetizing a seriously ill older dog is still in the high-risk category, but the chances of a successful outcome are tremendously improved. The new types of anesthetics give excellent control over the depth and time of anesthesia and allow for rapid recovery to a normal, conscious state. Many of the newer and much safer injectable anesthetics can be used alone for general anesthesia or, in combination with some gas anesthetics, to provide "balanced anesthesia." And certainly, the ready availability of artificial respirators which can breathe for your dog has both increased the overall safety of anesthesia as well as permitted surgery within the chest cavity for some types of cardiac and lung disorders.
No dog should be considered "too old" for surgery or anesthesia if otherwise in reasonable health. The aging kidneys and liver still must detoxify much of the anesthetic, aging lungs can make inhalant anesthetics more difficult to control, and heart disease does increase the overall danger. There still is risk, but it is a calculated risk, usually weighted on the side of success.
In today's modern veterinary hospitals and clinics, surgery is done under conditions similar to those found in human hospitals. Everything is done to keep the surgical area sterile, which includes doctors scrubbing before surgery and wearing sterile cap, mask, and gown. All instruments, surgical drapes, and any piece of equipment that will come in contact with the patient are sterilized. The surgery is performed in a separate operating room, which is used only for sterile surgery. While each operating room will vary in the variety of equipment available, it will have whatever is needed for the particular operation being done. If your veterinarian's hospital is not equipped to perform a particular type of surgery, he will refer you to a colleague who does have the necessary equipment, or he may do the surgery himself but in his colleague's hospital.
Are you expecting your second child? The pregnancy is time during which you will be making arrangements to accommodate yet another little life in the home. You will prepare a nursery, and perhaps move your older child into a new space. To make this transition easier on everyone, it is important to let the older child know what to expect. You can use a doll to demonstrate all of the ways to take care of a newborn baby, and help them practice being an older sibling. If you show them how they can help you, it will make them feel special and included, rather than replaced.
One of the first things that you can teach your young child is how to hold the baby. Lay a doll down, and show your child how you will pick up the baby, supporting the head and neck gently. Then show them how you will hold it, snuggled in your arms carefully, so it will be comfortable, and you won't drop it. After demonstrating how it is done, give the kid a try. Gently place the doll down as if it was your real new baby, and help them to handle the baby as you did. Guide and instruct them, as well as correct them if they make a mistake. Encourage them that they will be a good big brother or big sister if they do it well.
Another lesson that you can give your son or daughter is feeding. There are some dolls out there that are perfect for this lesson, because they some with bottles. Teach them how to carefully hold the baby while sitting down and feeding them. Remember to show them that the baby needs to burp, too.
Changing a baby's diaper may not be e necessary lesson, especially if your other little is still in diapers. Most likely they will not be performing this task. It is a good idea to go through the motions anyway, and show them how they can help you when you will need to change a diaper. They can hand you wipes or baby powder to help.
All in all, this training time with the doll will give them something to look forward to when the baby finally arrives. They will feel included, and gain a sense of importance. It is a great way to help an only child transition into the responsibility of being an older sibling.
Both Jane Saeman & Victor Epand are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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