[QUOTE=Simkie;6899398]
I wonder if this has some regionality? Lots of vets around here use ketamine to induce both.[/QUOTE]
Sorry Simkie, I was talking about what we do at the hospital I work at. I agree Ket/Val is a very popular induction. Ketamine and Valium combination is very useful in many cases as ketamine will provide analgesia while Propofol does not.
Many spay/neuters and healthy young dogs undergoing procedures such as cruciate repairs are generally fine with Ketamine Valium combo.
Ketamine (and xylazine) are known for causing upset tummies on recovery, especially for short procedures (often worn off from longer procedures). This is why I try to avoid it in dogs unless they need it for additional pain control. However, we are not a spay/neuter hospital and most of the dogs undergoing surgery are undergoing other constant rate infusions of analgesia such as fentanyl, or epidurals to control the pain.
I work with a boarded certified vet anesethist, and with boarded anesthesia technicians. I think this will be your big difference as 99% of technicians are not boarded with anesthesia and work on a “protocol” basis. Ket/Val is generally easier/safer for technicians as it doesnt cause apnea like propofol can. Most new graduates and techs that work at general practice clinics are usually more comfortable with it. Rightly so…propofol can be very scary in the wrong hands. Because of the knowledge of more drugs, we can pick the best suited drugs for each individual case. With so much experience with both ket/val and propofol I personally choose propofol for most dogs. However with cats I find induction to be more difficult and intubation a little more harsh than when they have the ketamine added on board. But, its really personal choice. We do everything from thoracotamies, liver lobectomies to laprascopic spays and everything inbetween…lots of different coctails of drugs per individual patient need.
Regarding Shade - good vet for suggesting stopping medications. Metacam can cause gastric upset and potentially life threatening ulcers. Antibiotics can often cause generalized gastric upset. Hopefully its one of the above and with the elimination of them Shade will start to get her appetite back and stop vomiting. Its a rough procedure to go through as an older girl. Definitely a good choice for her at this point, but rough none the less. Jingles for a speedy recovery.
Contrary to what you might think OP, most people on this thread are not trying to make you feel bad.
Of course, its not quite the same without the a**hole attitude haha!