Originally Posted by LilMissy (Post 2424450)

I just wanted to offer my condolences. I am so sad for you. I have to get Missy spayed and I'm so worried about it. I haven't set up the appt yet because she is only 17 weeks old and 2 lbs. Reading about Olive has gotten me even more uptight about going through with the spay. I will have to research more.
I'm so sorry for your loss. :(

Originally Posted by YorkieMumma (Post 2423827)

I can't express how healing and comforting it is to read everyone's loving words. It is my second day without little Olive now, and I have been a zombie, stuck in bed in my PJs (with little Violet by my side). All I want to do is stay in bed and try to sleep, or if I can't, loggin to YT to read your kind words. THANK You so much. It is helping me and my husband somehow cope.

Txgurl06, my heart is with you too. We are sisters in experiencing this nightmare together.

Several of you have asked me about pictures of little Olive. I made an album with pics of her, and Violet (her older sister), and some of our furball family.

It was the first I've looked at pictures of Olive since she died, and it was like a knife piercing my heart. I have a terrible headache from crying. But as painful as it is, it was also cathartic to look as some of her pictures again. Oh my little sweetheart, Olive. Mumma loves you so much, and I wish I could kiss you and hold you again. I can still imagine how you smell. I love you so much, my little angel.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of little Olive. Thanks to my YT family for your prayers and support. I love you all.

Originally Posted by YorkieMumma (Post 2423827)

I can't express how healing and comforting it is to read everyone's loving words. It is my second day without little Olive now, and I have been a zombie, stuck in bed in my PJs (with little Violet by my side). All I want to do is stay in bed and try to sleep, or if I can't, loggin to YT to read your kind words. THANK You so much. It is helping me and my husband somehow cope.

Txgurl06, my heart is with you too. We are sisters in experiencing this nightmare together.

Several of you have asked me about pictures of little Olive. I made an album with pics of her, and Violet (her older sister), and some of our furball family.

It was the first I've looked at pictures of Olive since she died, and it was like a knife piercing my heart. I have a terrible headache from crying. But as painful as it is, it was also cathartic to look as some of her pictures again. Oh my little sweetheart, Olive. Mumma loves you so much, and I wish I could kiss you and hold you again. I can still imagine how you smell. I love you so much, my little angel.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of little Olive. Thanks to my YT family for your prayers and support. I love you all.

Originally Posted by YorkieMumma (Post 2422958)

This is my first time to post a thread. My heart is broken and I feel physical pain and sorrow as I write this. Yesterday, my darling little baby girl, Olive died while undergoing surgery for spaying. She would have been 8 months old this Jan. 27. I am filled with grief, but at the same time my mind is reelling in shock. WHY WHY did this happen? Is this more common than I know?? Olive was a tiny girl, only 2 lbs 13 oz, but very strong and playful.

My vet used the "safest" gas anethesia, and he used the lowest level possible. He said that if he used any lower, she would wake up. Immediately after the spay surgery, he moved on to remove 4 of her puppy teeth. It is my understanding that this is common --- to spay and remove puppy teeth at the same time, so that the puppy goes under only once. By the third teeth, her little heart stopped beating. They immediately tried to get her heart started again. Her heart started beating for a few minutes, then it started to slow down, until it stopped again. Little Olive could not keep her heart beating.

My worst nightmare came true. You hear about this happening, but never think it will happen to you. WE are brainwashed to "spay the puppy before she comes into her first heat, otherwise she will get breast/ovarian cancer", and are thus pressured to spay early or at least 6 months old, for fear of the first heat. But now I question, what is more un-natural for a puppy, coming into a heat (as God intended for reproduction) or putting a young, small Yorkie puppy under anesthesia?

I wish I had waited until Olive was older, maybe 3.5 lbs or heavier before putting her under anesthesia. But because of the "fear of the first heat", lost my common sense. Growing up, I've had many female dogs that were not spayed until later in life. ALL grew to live long healthy lives.

For those who own very tiny Yorkies out there, do you remember how old or weight they were when they were spayed? I am now completely tramatized, and vow never to spay a female Yorkie until they are over ONE year old (heat or no heat).

As a new comer to YorkieTalk, I am thankful to have found such a wonderful, caring community of Yorkie lovers.

Originally Posted by Ladymom (Post 2422978)

I am so, so sorry about your Olive. I have heard they need to three pounds for anesthesia, but Olive was so close.

Did you have pre op bloodwork done? A bile acids test? Could she have had an underlying health issue that caused the problem with the anesthesia?