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

I have not been on for a few days because I have been taking care of Dixie. I had her spayed last Wednesday and she had a terrible reaction to the anesthesia and I almost lost her but hopefully someone can learn from my experience.

Here's my story and I will try to avoid going off on a rant. I took Dixie in on Wednesday to get spayed. They used isoflurane gas and also did all of the pre surgery bloodwork which they said was perfect.

They called and said that I could pick her up that afternoon which I thought to be unusual but I was just glad that she didn't have to spend the night. When I went in to pick her up, she was pretty groggy which is to be expected. Once I got her home I set her down in the grass and she could barely stand up which started to alarm me so I called the vets office and the tech said not to worry about it.

Well a couple of hours went by and I took her out again and this time she was worse, she would just fall over and she couldn't keep awake for more than a minute at a time. This was beyond just being groggy and I had a horrible feeling that something just wasn't right. So I called my vet's office but no one picked up even though it was still early afternoon. By this time she was shaking so I rushed her into the ER clinic and she started seizing. Thank god they were able to determine that she was having a bad reaction to the anesthesia and knew what to do. If I had not gotten her there in time, I would have lost her.

The next morning I brought her back to my vet's office and I was shaking, I was so mad. Apparently what had happened, was that after Dixie's surgery, he had gone to the dentist with an emergency and one of the vet techs was to keep an eye on Dixie and ensure that she was okay to go home. I don't know if the tech was incompentent or simply didn't do her job but she should have been able to determine that Dixie was not okay. I find it strange that they closed soon after I picked up Dixie and have to wonder if the tech sent her home early or without making sure she was okay just to close the office early. Regardless, someone made a mistake, a big one.

So there is a reason why they should stay overnight after being spayed. I guess that every vet has his or her own opinion on the issue but I would rather error on the side of caution. And I guess the other thing I hope everyone gets out of this is to trust your instincts when you think something is wrong and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

OMG what a scare.:eek: Thank god shes okay now, I hope your vet reimbursed you for the ER bill.

Oh my, I am sorry that this happened to you and Dixie. I am glad that she is fine now but my goodness to have to go through something like that!

How scary, poor Dixie and poor you :(

Although its worth mentioning that some vets who ask for dogs to stay overnight do not even have anyone there overnight which IMO is worse than them being at home because at least you can watch them. So I say definatly check if there is going to be anyone there

You know, I didn't even think to ask I was so upset. I don't think that it would be unreasonable request considering this whole thing happened due to negligence on their part.

I agree that is worse. No one is at my vets over night. To the OP i am sorry that happened but I am glad dixie is okay now. What a scare you had

So happy that Dixie is ok after that scare. I would have a talk with
the vet for sure regarding what happened and let him know how you feel
and what could have happened if you were not so alert.

I am so glad you got her help and that she will be okay! Shame on that tech that obviously wasn't noticing signs that Dixie was having problems. I've taken both my dogs home the same day after being spade, but they have not had any problems other than being sore and sleepy for the first night. A lot of vet places don't have overnight monitoring, so I just felt I'd rather have them with me so I could keep watch.

Sending get well wishes and kisses to little Dixie! Thank goodness she'll be okay!

OMG!!! :eek:
I'm glad you noticed the warning!!!
I hope Dixie is doing well now and I am sorry what you and Dixie went through..

Glad to know she's ok and they should pay for the emergency visit.

Yes, I think that may be the case, they don't have overnight monitoring. I asked the tech what I should be on the look out for and she just brushed me off. She acted like she just wanted me gone. She didn't even give me any pain medicine for her. I asked if the vet had prescribed her any and she said "I guess not" even though I later found out that he had. I should have known something just wasn't right.

That's exactly what I was thinking...it would have been devastating to have been locked all alone in an office with no one there to catch this...I wanted mine home with me within a few hours of his procedure, I would be watching him like a hawk,I know his behavior and I would know when he's not acting right...

Your so fortunate you where there to have saved her...I hope she's better today....

Phew, how scary, I felt quite sick when I read your post. Glad she is ok - think I
would have also been one mad moma:mad:

Kisses to your baby.

That's horrible. Is Isoflurane a bad choice? I have to take Kalina in to be spayed in the next few months and I know that some anesthesias are not recommended, but I'm not sure which. I'm so glad Dixie is ok now, what a scare!

I am so sorry. What a horrible experience. I am glad it looks like your baby will pull through. You know, a vet is not unlike any other medical professional. If I were you, I would file a claim for malpractice. You can request the reimbursement of the ER vet bills, any additional follow-up care, plus compensation for baby's pain and your time in making it right. Also ask for reimbursement if you lost time from work as a result of this. I am not a sue happy person, but when negligence happens, someone needs to be made accountable. All you need to do is write the vet a letter outlining your claim, and ask that he forward it on to his insurance company. Just make sure you have all of the records and receipts from the ER vet. Just keep in mind your vet clinic may not be willing to treat your baby after you file a claim, but from what I read I think I would be looking for a new vet anyway.

You must have been scared to death. I would try to recoop the money you had to put out at the ER from your vet. Mine have always spent the night.

I am so glad Dixie is alright .

Here at the Animal Hospital , we keep them overnight to be sure everything is ok . We have vets and vet techs 24/7 .

oh my goodness!! Shame on them. I hope little Dixie is okay now.

Thanks everybody for your well wishes. Dixie is doing much better. I knew she was doing better when she woke me up on Saturday morning pawing at my face and giving me puppy kisses and then spent all morning attacking Bailey and Tucker (who is twice her size).

It was strange because I had a bad feeling about this the whole time. I even posted a thread on here asking if anyone had ever had any problems. I think I was just paranoid to begin with which turned out to be a good thing I guess.

I should also add that the vet tech called me this morning and left me a message. She said she was just calling to see how Dixie was doing and said how sorry she was that this happend but fell short of admitting that any of this was her fault :mad:

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?

No. Isoflurane is one of the safest. Someone did something wrong here. Anyway, that would be my best guess.

IMO no. Your vet was already gone. Right? No other vets at the clinic? I'd find another vet.

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.

I am sooo glad little Dixie is okay. I think I would have that tech's job. Also, to send her home without pain meds is unreal. She sounds like a very uncaring person that needs to be in a different job. I would sure let the vet know what she did and said and that Dixie was sent home without meds. along with being in the condition she was in. That would infuarate me. My son lost his GS when she was spayed. They were also sent home without meds and no instructions. She later bled out that night. The vet didn't even so much as say I'm sorry or nothing. When you find a good and caring vet and techs you are fortuate. Hope that baby gets to feeling well real soon.

I was so shaken after reading this post.
I do not know what I would have done if this had happened to one of mine, but I do know that I would have a few choice words with the Tech in question and I would make darn sure that he/she was not allowed anywhere near any of my babies again.
My Penny has just had her 6th and final litter and will be going in to be spayed when it is determined safe. I have a wonderful repore with our vet, but I can't honestly say that I know how competent all the techs might be. Perhaps I might just inquire who will be on duty that night.... just for piece of mind and my Penny's safety.

Thank you for posting this at this time.

I am sorry to hear about this...how scary :eek: 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. :rolleyes: They probably would not have caught her reaction...think about it...

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

I think that's a great way to think about it and I will be asking about being reimbursed for the ER bill.

That was a close call for sure and I hope you do something about it. I would not let it go.
I've never had one stay overnight after a spay and not even groggy when I pick them up. The Vet. is supposed to test before putting under. How scary this is and I'm sure glad she pulled thru. I would not go back there ever again.

Absolutely , a vet tech is supposed to know if something is going wrong . If not , he or she have nothing to do there .

Here , the vets gave their instructions about the dog's conditions and if the vet tech failed , he or she is fired . I know it may sound rude but as the vets said " Its so hard to build a reputation and extremely easy to destroy it " .

OMG How scary! But if the doctor left to the dentist for an emergency then what would have happened if she stayed overnight and no one realized that she wasn't ok? He wasn't there right? That is why i am sooo scared to get my girls spayed. I am going to do it but i am beyond scared cause they are so small! I am so glad Dixie is ok now!