My dog had surgery and is now paralyzed?

Question

My 11 year old American Bulldog had major surgery 2 weeks ago to remove a football sized tumor attached to his spleen. He has recovered well except for the fact that his back legs are now paralyzed. Does anyone know what my rights are as a dog owner? I love our vet and he never said that this was going to be a concern. He has never apologized for crippling my dog. He doesn't even act like it's his fault, but more like we have a whole new issue to deal with now. We paid $1000 for this surgery. Help?

Answer 1

Did you sign something before the dog went into surgery? Most vets have clients sign a waver that absolves them from most liability if something goes wrong. Surgeries are risky and vets know that there is always a chance something will go wrong.

I love animals as much as anyone but I do not think it is worthwhile to pursue this. Most likely you will not win anything. The vet did not intentionally injure the dog, and was not negligent. Also, in the eyes of the courts, dogs are property and you are only entitled to be made whole, which may be vet bills as a result of the paralysis or medications. However, it is pretty safe to say that the vet would have to be found of intentionally injuring the dog or grossly misinforming you of the possible side effects of the surgery. There is no way the vet can know every side effect of the surgery, this is why they have clients sign a waver.

Answer 2

There's a chance the surgery damaged his spinal chord... permanently or temporarily (severed or bruised). It seems a logical risk to the surgery, but the vet def. should have discussed it with you before the surgery. No excuses for not doing so. Take your dog to a neurologist and see what they say. It could very well be temporary.

Other than that... unfortunately, pets are legally considered "property", so there's no much you could sue for except property loss, which is very minor. Generally suing a vet is for the sake of hopefully getting to lose their certification. Regardless, that's not what's most important now... definitely take your dog to a specialist and see what's going on. Many dogs have paralysis of their back legs and various ways to compensate (wheel-like contraption, a sling for you to hold him up, etc...). But none are ideal, obviously.

It may even be caused by scar-tissue that didn't form quite right/in the wrong place and is now putting pressure/"cutting off" the spinal chord.

It seems like a reasonable risk... but your vet still should have discussed it with you. So I'd take your dog to a new vet who WILL discuss what to do now.

Answer 3

I am so sorry! Don't lose heart if he does not recover right away I have an AB and they are tough! I met a woman and her little dog while walking on Venice beach. The dog was in the most amazing light manueverable dog weelchair! She had tried others and was very unhappy till she found her Doggon' wheels. You can google them. Great photos on the site of dogs playing happily in the surf etc. Said the customer service was great, very supportive. She also said that with this model you can adjust straps so that the dog can place partial weight on his legs making it a great rehabilitative tool for your dog. Her dog was out of control happy and all over the place. She says he even tries to hump other dogs. Dogs have such indominable spirits. Don't give up! Hang in there! Go see specialists. I have a rescue Bulldog with a torn acl... So sorry to hear about your situation. Best of luck. Also, Yahoo has a great AB friends site if you'd be interested in joining. The members are very supportive and knowledgeable. Here are both the links for the wheelchairs and for the AB group
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/american_bulldog_friends/
http://www.doggon.com/home.html

Answer 4

I am so sorry to hear about your poor guy!! I know it is crushing your heart!
However, you need to read all the paperwork you signed prior to the surgery. They should have given you copies. If they truly did not mention the issue of severe injury or even death, I would be highly surprised.

If, however, the paperwork you signed does not tell you about the risks of having surgery, especially for a dog that age and of that breed, then you may have a case.

The problem is that you have to find a court that will hear the case. Unfortunately, our pets are not as important in the world as humans - even though they are our family... It's sad!

They are considered property, so it is difficult to get much money or help from this type of case. But if I were you, I would do everything I could to help your baby to see if there is anything any surgical vet can do to help him.

Again, I am so sorry for you, and especially for him. Take good care of him; and remember that you have to envision what you would want for yourself if you were paralyzed. Is he doing okay like this? Do you think he is suffering.

Do the very best you can for him; if that requires a cart to help him get around or whatever, but if you think he is miserable and in pain due to this, sadly, I would advise that you let him go.

Take care, love and hugs!!!

Answer 5

I understand that the surgical treatment may be costly (5000-6000) so which you are attempting to do each and every thing you are able to to make him delicate. Down Dachsunds can take an prolonged time to return to finished function or in no way get better. It relies upon on how undesirable the intial disk harm substitute into and how he's progressing now. you're able to look into rehab on your canines. it could a great deal advance his possibilities for a partial to finished restoration. Your vet could prescribe something to help with the urination, yet they you will possibly could squeeze his bladder each and every few hours until eventually he regained administration of his bladder. there's no magic shot to make him greater suitable. the certainty that he has been like this a month isn't very encouraging that he will get better administration of his bladder. do not enable him drag his legs if possible. As you will discover now it could a great deal harm his legs. Make a sling for his legs for the wheelchair so as that they don't drag on the floor. i don't think of he will ever have the potential to reproduce so neutering him whilst he's sturdy could be the suitable component for him. word: regrettably it rather is a easy concern interior the trendy-day dachshund. Their backs are too long and the discs in backbone are vulnerable. Even the suitable dachhund proprietors could have this take place to them. So once you're a dachshund proprietor please do not enable them to leap up or down off something.

Answer 6

I think the vet should have informed you of this being a risk if, in fact it was. Even then, the vet should be obligated to find out what the cause of the paralysis is. If the vet is unwilling I'd say go ahead and get a good lawyer.

Answer 7

Prior to the surgery did the vet say regarding the risk involved in removing a growth that large? Did the vet discuss anything with you at all?

Answer 8

I would talk to an attny if it will make you feel better. My priority would be taking care of the dog. I had my very best friend who walked me down the isle go slowly paralyzed and it broke my heart. I got a doggy wheel cart for her and she managed for a while . Talk to your vet about this. Not all dogs can work with it.
My heart goes out to you. Make the most of his remaining life. It will come with difficulties . When the time is right , and he will tell you, you can do a very noble thing and end his suffering.
my prayers go out to you and to your dog.

Answer 9

Go to lawsuitsandsettelements.com. Scroll down to post my issue. fill out the questionnaire and wait to hear from one of them. Also, get on the phone and call attorneys. Many Dr.s screw up in surgery and never acknowledge it. pretend it isn't there and it will go away! I had a Dr rebuild my crushed femur and he put in a rod that was 1/2" too short! It damaged my back for years, and I had to deal with lots of scar tissue etc. The PT would not work with me cause it was a construction injury and he though any woman working in Const. was trashy, so he spent all his time working with a Mexican female rollerskating fighter! (like that isn't trashy!)

Answer 10

Call the ASPCA or SPCA in the city where you live and ask them if you have a law suit against your vet. I don't know if they will help you, especially since you want to sue your vet.

Also, go to the website: Humane Society of the United States and see if they have any information online that can help you.

I'm sorry to hear about your beloved dog and hope there is a vet somewhere than can help your dog recover.

Good Luck

woof!