Dixie's Spay - I almost lost her, a warning

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by trini&coco

I am sorry to hear about this...how scary I am happy all is well and that she was home with you.

A thought for you...I know you said it is better to keep your baby in the vet's office but IF she was not with you and the vet tech was not paying attention to her she would have died. IMO-It is better that she was with you so you could keep your watchful mommy eyes on her. They probably would not have caught her reaction...think about it...

& get your money back for the emergency vet bill...

yes that's what i was trying to say.

[Izzy Princess]

I am so glad that Dixie is ok and that you had the gut instincts to think something was wrong and take action. I would definitely discuss this with your vet and if you don't get any monetary satisfaction then I would "gently" metnion the word lawyer to him and see what happens. Something went wrong and maybe they are trying to cover up. You never know.

[yorkieusa]

I, personally, would be talking to the vet to determine what EXACTLY took place and caused this to happen. Was it a reaction to isoflurane? Was it a reaction to the injectable anesthetic? Was she placed on a monitor during the surgery where her heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and blood oxygen levels can be watched? Was she placed on a heating pad to maintain her body temperature?

I think for your own peace of mind that you should be asking questions in order to put your mind at rest, because at some point in the future she will probably need to have her teeth cleaned or have some other procedure. This is the only way you can go forward.

[drawlins27]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I, personally, would be talking to the vet to determine what EXACTLY took place and caused this to happen. Was it a reaction to isoflurane? Was it a reaction to the injectable anesthetic? Was she placed on a monitor during the surgery where her heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and blood oxygen levels can be watched? Was she placed on a heating pad to maintain her body temperature?

I think for your own peace of mind that you should be asking questions in order to put your mind at rest, because at some point in the future she will probably need to have her teeth cleaned or have some other procedure. This is the only way you can go forward.

Many of these questions I know the answer to. According to the ER vet, It was a reaction to the isoflurane which is rare. I also wonder if maybe she was given too much if that is possible. They did not inject her with anything, they used gas. She was on monitors during the surgery but I don't know about afterwards. I don't think she was on a heating pad. I will have to ask about that and the monitors, thanks for the help.

I am worried about the future, because if nothing else, I will want to have her teeth cleaned. She does have mild hydrocephalus which could have been part of the cause but I am also going to have some tests run including a bile acid test to determine what else could have gone wrong. I was worried about her waking up. I never thought to worry about a bad reaction afterwards.

[yorkiekist]

Thank goodness you DID bring her home!!!! After the vet closed there would be no one there to watch her seizure. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding all of us about the problems some yorkies can have with anesthesia. Glad you and your little girl are ok!!! LYnn

[Chellbe46]

I`m so pleased your little girl is okay now thank god, i would go and tell the vet what you think of him i would make sure the other person never looks after animals again, xx

[Gracie2006]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

Should a vet tech be able to determine whether or not a dog is okay following surgery or is this beyond their expertise? I was just wondering if this is something she should have been able to pick up on. I really think she should have known something wasn't right. Who should I really be blaming here, her or the vet?

I don't have the expertise to say, but ultimately the Vet is responsible for his staff. I'm not saying it was malpractice to give the gas, but it was to fail to adequately supervise and train is staff.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

Many of these questions I know the answer to. According to the ER vet, It was a reaction to the isoflurane which is rare. I also wonder if maybe she was given too much if that is possible. They did not inject her with anything, they used gas. She was on monitors during the surgery but I don't know about afterwards. I don't think she was on a heating pad. I will have to ask about that and the monitors, thanks for the help.

I am worried about the future, because if nothing else, I will want to have her teeth cleaned. She does have mild hydrocephalus which could have been part of the cause but I am also going to have some tests run including a bile acid test to determine what else could have gone wrong. I was worried about her waking up. I never thought to worry about a bad reaction afterwards.

Are you certain she was not given an injectable sedative before they placed the endotracheal tube into the airway? That is how the gas is administered.

[drawlins27]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Are you certain she was not given an injectable sedative before they placed the endotracheal tube into the airway? That is how the gas is administered.

Oh sorry, yet they gave her a sedative but did not inject the isoflurane. It was my understanding that they did not intubate her at all, that the isoflurane was given with a mask. Could that be correct? I will have to call and find out more.

[littlewhip]

Wow , Iam so happy she is ok, its so scary taking our babies in for anything, My friend lost there baby kitten due to a bad reacton to sedation, I wish you the best to get to the bottom of what really happen, You and dixie are in my prayers

[drawlins27]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

Oh sorry, yet they gave her a sedative but did not inject the isoflurane. It was my understanding that they did not intubate her at all, that the isoflurane was given with a mask. Could that be correct? I will have to call and find out more.

Sorry I checked, yes she was intubated and given the isoflurane as a gas but gave her a light sedative first. I still wonder if it really was a bad reaction (which just doesn't seem right since it was hours after the surgery) or if they gave her too much.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

Sorry I checked, yes she was intubated and given the isoflurane as a gas but gave her a light sedative first. I still wonder if it really was a bad reaction (which just doesn't seem right since it was hours after the surgery) or if they gave her too much.

I'm still thankful that she was with you and you were able to get her to help. Sitting down with the Dr in a non-threatening manner is the best way to get to the bottom of it. I wish you luck and would like to hear anymore news you might learn.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Roxanne_mi

I am so sorry that you had to go thru this with your baby, but I am glad that she is ok. I really think your vet should cover the er bill. If it was me, I would be looking for a new vet, I am not sure I could trust them again after this.

Ditto!

Lesson learned: Trust your instincts about your baby. If you hadn't she would be gone now. I'm so happy she will be alright.

[Yorkiesforever]

Wow thanks for the advise I am so afraid to spay my Diva because this......She is only 3 lbs.

[trini&coco]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I'm still thankful that she was with you and you were able to get her to help. Sitting down with the Dr in a non-threatening manner is the best way to get to the bottom of it. I wish you luck and would like to hear anymore news you might learn.

Yorkieusa-you asked some great questions... I would also be curious to know the answers to them....