No food after midnight?

[peachydays]

I'm taking my little Ralphie in tomorrow for teeth X-rays because of symptoms he's been displaying that may be indicative of dental issues. The office just called me to remind me about dropping him off tomorrow morning, and said that he shouldn't be allowed to have food after midnight. I realize that this may be standard procedure for dogs and cats, but it just seems wrong for chinnies, since their guts need to be moving at all times (and of course I forgot to question the person who told me that). What has been people's experiences with this?

If it's true and I do need to take away food after midnight, I guess I will include a bag of pellets and hay for him to have afterwards. I wish I could be at the office while the Xrays are done, but apparently the way it works is that I drop him off at 7:30 am, and then they call me sometime in the afternoon to come pick him up. Ugh I'm so worried about this for many reasons.

 

[Dragonflye]

I have taken chins in for dental work quite a few times and never withheld food for the reason you stated above. I also send hay and pellets to be eaten after the procedure but they never touch it.

I have always ended up syringe feeding Critical Care for a few days to make sure they are getting enough nutrition, especially if the chin comes home on Baytril...after a few days, they are eating hay and pellets again and all is well. (That has been my experience anyway...)

I would ask what type of anesthesia your vet uses. Mine always uses isofluorine for chins and sensitive critters. Never had a problem...

Wishing you luck with the X-rays. Are they going to have to do some filing as well?

 

[threewingedfury]

It isn't gonna hurt the chin going without food before an x-ray. Think of how long chins go without food on the way to a show and on the show table, and they're perfectly fine. But, on the other hand, chins can't gag can they? For that reason, I've been told that many just continue to feed their chins before procedures because it isn't going to hurt them. You can take food in with you for them afterwards on the way home or in case your chin may need to stay the night.

 

[tunes]

The reason they say not to eat after midnight is if you can throw up. Chins can't throw up, so that doesn't apply to them.

 

[peachydays]

AWESOME! Thanks, guys.

Nikki, I'm not sure whether there will have to be filing done. As far as the type of anesthesia, she said they would try and use only gas (didn't specify what kind) since when I took him in on Saturday she heard a heart murmur as well.

 

[Mystic]

I just wanted to chime in and say good luck at the vet! I hope everything goes smoothly and keep us updated!

 

[BellaBella]

I hope everything is ok with Ralphie!



P.S. when I saw the title I thought this was going to be a chins=gremlins joke hehe

 

[Claire D]

It isn't gonna hurt the chin going without food before an x-ray. Think of how long chins go without food on the way to a show and on the show table, and they're perfectly fine.

One comment I would like to make about this is: chins going to a show are fit and healthy (or they should be!) but a chin going for an anaesthetic has some underlying health care concern - this may mean they are undernourished or compromised in some way, shape, or form - whilst a healthy chin may be fine without food for a period of time, a chin undergoing surgery should have as much nutritional support as possible, including fluids and high fibre food.
I would not starve a chin prior to any anaesthetic.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Chilli has been under twice since the beginning of August. He has had gas both times. We have not withheld anything from him prior to the trip. We also put hay in his carrier for him to munch on, since they like to munch when stressed. The vet never said anything about he should not have had food and he has come through like a little champ from the gas.

 

[mishellyshel]

i never had to restrict richie from eating before being anesthetized for xrays or dental checks, filing, trimming, etc....
and both of the vets i took him to for these procedures had food & hay that they provided when he stayed for observation.
good luck today

 

[Riven]

Chins NEED to be gassed because they are sensitive to anesthesia. Flourine should be the type of gas used ( and most commonly used by vets). I do not vet locally, not because they do not want to learn, but because they currently do no use gas, only injection.

Like Peggy said, withholding of food it to prevent them from vomiting while the trach tube is in, chins do not vomit so this is not a concern.

Be sure to tell the vet to give the food, many times vets do not give the food you bring at all and simply return the bag just as full as you brought it, or don't return it to you at all. If you want your pet to have food, be sure to be adamant about them getting it.

 

[6Dusters]

Wishing your chin a good vet check. I had my girl Olivia into the vet several weeks ago for a molar grinding. ( spur ) And we did NOT keep feed from her the night before. I held food back in the morning and sent it with her along with hay. She didn't eat. And I had to feed her by hand for a couple weeks. Good luck!!!!

 

[CerLynn]

Just to echo everyone else, Kokomo has been in for xrays about 5 times and surgery once, and we've never had to withhold food. He was such a trooper - just about every time the tech/vet came out to tell us he had woken up, we were told that he was already munching on hay. I'm sure your little guy will do just fine. Good luck!

 

[peachydays]

It's not good news. The roots of his upper molars are curving backwards into his sinus cavity. She referred me to an exotics specialist in Virginia, and gave me copies of his film on a CD to take with me. I wish I could look at them, but they're files with the extension .dcm, which I have no idea how to open.

I have lots of questions for you guys, but I just brought him home and now I have to get back to work.

Those of you who know what I went through with my first chinnie Gregory probably have an idea of how I'm feeling right now.

 

[tunes]

Shayna - I'm keeping good thoughts for Ralphie. I know how devestating the news must be.

 

[Chinniechantel]

Good luck, I hope everything turns out great. X rays are so scary, I just fear the word malo...but knowing is always the best thing.

 

[Sandi]

It's not good news. The roots of his upper molars are curving backwards into his sinus cavity. She referred me to an exotics specialist in Virginia, and gave me copies of his film on a CD to take with me. I wish I could look at them, but they're files with the extension .dcm, which I have no idea how to open.

I have lots of questions for you guys, but I just brought him home and now I have to get back to work.

Those of you who know what I went through with my first chinnie Gregory probably have an idea of how I'm feeling right now.

Having gone through this exactly a year ago with my first chin, I just want to say, I'm sorry . My Whiskers' lower molar roots elongated into his jawline. My thoughts are with you and your chin now.

 

[CerLynn]

I'm sorry to hear the news - malo is just horrible Our boys are sending positive thoughts your way!

 

[mishellyshel]

sometimes the xray file they send you home with opens right up on your computer.
i received digital xrays from a specialist and when i put the cd in the computer the images just loaded.
i am so sorry to hear about your boy.
i have a chin that was diagnosed with malo this past spring. he is holding his own right now due to meds and lots & lots of time & commitment from me, so i am sending good vibes that the specialist will give you hope.