Our puppy's heart stopped during a routine neutering for nearly 2 minutes. This happened upon the first incision. They then did CPR, got the heart going, gave him "light" aneshesia, and finished the procedure. He suffered terrible brain damage, and we are still not sure if he is going to make it. It has been over a month and he still cannot walk, see, or hear much. The day is coming when we will probably receive a very high bill for this. If it was their fault, should we pay? I am a little timid, and have not asked very many questions. He was on IV's for a week, and I am sure a very high bill is coming. When I talk to others, most everyone agrees, that something had to go wrong, too much aneshesia, or not enough oxygen for this to happen. If he was alergic, they would not have turned down the aneshesia and proceded do do the procedure. What should we do?
2007-03-23 07:59:28 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
After they took the aneshesia off, and did CPR, his heart immediately returned to normal, and has never shown anything but normal. He also was given 2 pysicals prior to our purcashing him, no heart murmers, nothing. We do question why after CPR, that they proceded to do the entire neutering procedure.
2007-03-23 08:06:57 · update #1
One idividual did speak to a Vet they have. The Vet said in over 35 years in practice this had never happened to her. She also said that since they did CPR and then completed the procedure, his heart was probably very strong. Her "Opinion" was that something had to have "gone wrong"
2007-03-23 08:12:51 · update #2
They should not send you a bill for the problems they have clearly caused. I had to put to sleep a cat because of a similar problem. They were a terrible vet place I found out later, but they still did not send me a bill. So if your vet does, there is something wrong. You could sue and win, because under the circumstances they should not have continued the procedure without contacting you to be sure you wanted them too. There is a possiblity that the puppy may have had an existing condition that would have contributed to the problem, then you would not get anything for your lose, but you would still not have to pay. At least that is my thoughts on it. Good luck
2007-03-23 08:17:02 · answer #1 · answered by hapzap 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
While a neuter surgery is very routine, anesthesia is NEVER routine. Anesthesia is what makes all surgeries very dangerous. It is very difficult to know whether or not there is any negligence involved unless an insider like a vet tech were to reveal to you that something went wrong. Your vet should have given the puppy an overall health check to make sure it was a good candidate for surgery or the vet would have postponed it until the puppy's health improved. Because the procedure is so routine, vets generally know exactly how long the surgery will take and therefore, can safely estimate how much anesethia to give based on the puppy's weight and age. But if the puppy had a weak heart, things can go unexpectedly wrong. You might want to try and find out if this has ever happened to this vet before and whether complaints have been lodged with the Better Business Bureau or your state's professional licensing board.
It's not likely that negligence was involved. These things just sometimes happen. It's very sad. I certainly think your vet should give you some professional courtesy discount on the bill. I know you don't want to think about this yet, but euthanasia may be the best course of action if this dog has serious brain damage. In humans, 4 minutes without oxygen = brain death. It may be less for puppies. I don't know. Maybe you can consult another vet for their professional opinion. I'm so sorry this happened. I hope he can recover.
2007-03-23 08:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
As it was pointed out last time you asked this question, there are many things that can cause a pet to stop breathing during anesthesia, and unless you can prove negligence, which is unlikely, you will be liable for all the services incurred. Plus it is most likely that you signed a surgical release form explaining the risks of surgery and releasing the vet of wrong doing if the procedure should go wrong. Any lawyer will also question why you left your pet in their care for so long following the incident if you did not trust them or suspected wrong doing on their part.
As for others agreeing with you, do you mean other general people or other veterinary medically trained people, because one has a knowledgeable base of info to make an opinion from and the other does not.
2007-03-23 08:11:20 · answer #3 · answered by cs 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Boxbeatle
"There is risk in any surgery. Without knowing specifics, you will not know why the death occurred. Thousands of spays are performed daily around the country. In a rare few there may be complications leading to death. But again this is rare. Complications from not being spayed are more of a concern than the operation itself. Now this does not help ease the pain for those whose dogs die during a spay/neuter However, there are many factors that can lead to death during surgery. Ask for preoperative bloods to be done to check for problems that could lead to complications. Ask what type of anesthesia is used and note that some breeds may need milder anesthetics. But the health risks of being intact far outweigh the small risks of surgery."
From:Practical Pet Care:Facts
That said I truly feel for you,your poor pup!! What a sad thing for you
Talk to your vet,they must feel rotten too,and it sounds like they did everything possible. You say you are timid, but I really think they will talk with you.
2007-03-23 08:27:45 · answer #4 · answered by Zair 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What you went through was horrible! I'm sorry you had to deal with it. I will tell you that not all vet techs are trained in administering anesthesia. I was a vet tech and assisted in surgery. I asked the person training me (who handled that) where she got her certification. She told me she didn't, she had just worked there long enough to learn what doses to give. You may want to find out who was giving your pup the anesthesia and find out if she is a CVT (certified vet tech, where she would get the right training) or if she was just a vet tech. Then find out how long she has been in that position and how much training she had in giving anesthesia.
Take your pup to another vet for an overall evaluation. Make sure to let him know what happened so he knows what to look for. Once your pup gets a clean bill of health, return to the vet that made the mistake with proof that your pup should not have had any problems since there was nothing that could cause it except bad practicing. Once all of this is done, let him know that you will be reporting him to the AVMA (http://www.avma.org/default.asp) for the incident. Only after all of this can you think about not paying the bill. If you do make sure you write down on the check that you are paying under direst, that way its proof you did not think he should be paid just in case it does go to court. Good luck with everything.
2007-03-23 08:21:27 · answer #5 · answered by shedevilnotunknown 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You should definately ask your vet questions about what happened. Ask how long was it after the puppy arrested that they started CPR. You should ask your vet everything that you want to know. If you still feel that the vet is at fault, then you might need to speak to a lawyer. However, I would definately talk to the vet first.
2007-03-23 08:08:04 · answer #6 · answered by Cynthia E 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What should you do? Pay the bill:and consider it a mild cost of learning.This is not about money is it?? Dude your dog is dying! Everyone knows some dogs die in surgery's!Some dogs are defective like yours and just do not make it.
Why play the blame game? It won't bring your pup back. I think it is very inappropriate to just ask around and blame the vet: its also Slanderous and Libelous. You could be sued.
2007-03-23 08:40:54 · answer #7 · answered by ashlan_02 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i am very sorry your dog had the heart attack during the operation. the doctor should have informed you that any operation in which anesthesia is used a person or animal may die as a result of that. this is rare but it happens to people and to animals .
i suggest that you arrange with the doctor to agree in writing that no bill for the operation need be paid and that if needed he will put down your dog for free.
i know this sounds terrible but if it were a person in a hospital you would have signed a waiver stating you knew about this risk and would not be allowed to sue the doctor or the hospital if there was such an incident .
you need to forgive the doctor.
2007-03-23 08:07:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Ask for his medical records and get another vet's opinion, for sure! If anyone can tell you if it went right or wrong, it'll be another vet.
And if the second vet agrees that this is the fault of the fist vet, get a lawyer and sue. :/ Lawyers aren't timid. They'll do and say everything that you can't. (This coming from a fellow timid person who understands. :P)
But good on you for fighting for your puppy's life! Not many people would be as dedicated and full of heart as you are.
2007-03-23 08:09:13 · answer #9 · answered by Sara 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I understand you being timid. But you need to stand up for your dog and the horrible pain he has gone through. I am so sorry this has happened to you and your pup.
Write down the questions you want to ask, and just ask them. Write down how they answer you and ask for the answers in plain english. Not in vet talk!
Talk to a lawyer and see if you have a case.
2007-03-23 08:08:47 · answer #10 · answered by Shell 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋