All 7 puppies died!?

Question

My breeder took her dog in for a C-section today at Penn Vet Hospital (at the University of Pennsylvania). Before her dog entered surgery, every single puppy was kicking and moving. However, during the C-section, not one puppy survived. During the operation she was also getting a hernia fixed, but that wasnt a big deal! Anyway, the breeder wants to get a necropsy done on these puppies, but is scared to have the same vet do it because she thinks they would hide any mistakes they could have made during the surgery.

I want to know what you would do in this situation
(this dog has had three other litters before, and the puppies are usually very healthy and strong)
(this dog was 5 years old)
(um...I dont think you need any other info, but let me know if you think something seems to be missing)

Should we sue? The vet bills will be very extensive, but if they accidently killed 7 puppies, I would not want to pay...

One theory the breeder had was that they had too much anesthesia...but could that kill puppies????

This was a Portuguese Water Dog, an uncommon breed. The dog was fixed after the puppies were removed.

the mother dog had been going to the vet twice a week every week of the pregnancy
this was her last litter and the breeder wanted everything to go smoothly...:(

they discovered the hernia after the pregnancy, and instead of aborting, they decided to go with the pregnancy, and to repair the hernia as the puppies were being delivered
thus: a C-section

Answer 1

It does sound like something went wrong in the operating room. But this is the "good ol boy" network and no Dr or Vet will stand up against Penn U. Besides, the courts put little value on a dogs life. Only the purchase prices. Did she have buyers ready to buy her littler - if so then she may have something to sue over.

When I read this I just thought - WHAT THE H3LL.... How can this happen?

The kennel I watch over when the owners go to competitions or over to Europe lost 5 puppies because the Vet kept telling him he was over reacting and refused to do a C-section- after loosing 5 his female had to have a C-section anyway as one was in the horn - nothing he could do but pay the Biotch... What a head-shaker-

Let us know how this turns out please

Hottttttttt Doggggggg

Answer 2

Wait a minute. Who is the closest vet school to you? She should have the necropsy done at a vet school. Most vet schools charge a heck of a lot less than a regular vet, and they do more in depth testing as well. Purdue here charges $50 for a complete necropsy in their ADDL clinic. This does not make sense that a c-section was done because of a hernia repair. Just doesn't. Was this an umbilical hernia or inguinal hernia? Was this a scheduled c-section? How many days pregnant was she? Is this person certain of the breeding dates that show how many days that she was? Was she there during this section? I demand to see my pups if one of my bitches needs a c-section. Did she look at these pups after the section? Were the pups normal size for a newborn? Tell her to be sure to list the type of anesthesia used during the operation on the form that she submits for the necropsy. Can you tell us what kind of anesthesia was used during this section? Drug names.

Answer 3

there are many reasons why pups could die during a c-section. Being under anesethesia could be one reason but this doesn't mean that the vet did anything wrong. Anesthesia lowers animals body temp and lowers respiration rates and puppies have trouble regulating their body temps anyway. Also, since this was her THIRD litter and she was 5 the puppies might not have been as strong or healthy. If the vet hides any mistakes then that is illegal but if you want necropsies done have them done at another clinic

Answer 4

I can't help but wonder how one would know all the pups were viable prior to surgery. That is almost unknowable. Contractions and peristalsis would appear similar to fetal movement. It's a darn shame to hear these pups died, but were I concerned, I'd ask another vet to necropsy the one or two of the stillborn pups to see if they can determine cause. Also, if the hernia was present prior to conception, i8t should have ben repaired prior to breeding. What was the basis for choosing to c-section the ***** anyway? Was she or the pups in distress?

ADDED: In light of these details, I'd ask another vet for a necropsy, but they don't always reveal much. I'd only do a couple of the pups, since they were likely all overcome by the same problem.

Answer 5

First of all i'm sorry for your loss. I know how you feel, my weimaraner had puppies when she was five too. She had two by herself, and then everything went downhill. We had to take her to the emergency vet. She had a c-section and it turns out that one was a water puppy. We ended up having three live puppies and one dead. But we almost loss the mom due to hemorging, so she had to be spayed. The emergency vets were very good and im gratefull for their work.

Now back to your question. It does seem fishy that they could not save any one of the seven puppies. I would take the dead puppies to another vet for the necropsy and try and build you case against the vet's office. And if you get sufficient evidence of malpractice then i would sue in a heartbeat. Any good doctor would be able to revive a puppy under anesthesia, i don't understand why they couldn't. Or maybe they never attempted to do it.

Ohh and Stina, I just have to say that you are being very inconciderate. This person is trying to right a wrong and you are not making it better. What's wrong with breeding dogs. Without breeding eventually there would be no dogs left is that what you want? I can't stand people like you.

Answer 6

Has the mother gone to this doc before? And has this doc done several procedures like this before? Was it a student or a resident? I don't know the answer to those questions, so it's hard to say what it could have been but I would consult with another doctor. Ask a new doc what could have happened.

I don't have experience in breeding dogs, but those are some of the questions I would ask the university or you may already know the answers.

Answer 7

How long did they work on the puppies? Did they give them anything to give them a "jump start?"

I rescued a very pregnant cat that had to have a c-section. The staff and I (I'm very close to my vet they allowed me to help) had to work on the kittens for no less than 30 minutes each to get them breathing and showing signs of life. I don't remember what the drug is called, but each of the kittens had some liquid put in their mouths a couple times to help them "come to."
Was the breeder present for the c-section?

Answer 8

If they have the pups bodies, go to a different vet. Explain to them what happened and what is wanted. If it is shown that there was negligence on the part of the vet doing the operation then by all means sue the hell out of them. Yes puppies can die from too much anesthetic. It's one of the risks of delivery by c-section.

Answer 9

What kind of dog? What kind of pre-breeding tests did she have done? How many points did she have? Did she or the sire have their championship? Was the hernia evident prior to breeding? Why the c-section? Did any others related to her kennel have difficulties during pregnancy and/or whelping? Was this a different sire from the previous two pregnancies?

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Sorry, I saw that many of my questions were already answered in your additional details. Are the bodies of the puppies still available? If so, I'd ask a different vet to perform a necropsy on them.

Answer 10

I have heard of this happening..the pups are sensitive to anesthesia and need to have a certain type used on the mama or it can slow the puppies down and they die..they need all the strength they can get...
any chance they were water pups or premies?