Anesthesia Reaction - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BLM · 02-13-2009, 04:07 PM

My 3 lb/4 month baby Toby was scheduled to be neutered today. The vet could not perform the surgery. I was told that as soon as the anesthesia was administered he crashed and went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, the vet was able to revive him. The vet also advised that he wanted to wait 3-4 months before attempting the surgery again, and that he wanted to do bloodwork and see if there was a reason this occurred. I picked him up about 1 hour ago, and he cried loudly the full 10 minutes home. He stopped crying within 5 minutes of arriving home. He is sleeping next to me now and has not cried-but he is whimpering. He is very lethargic, and it in and out of sleep. Has anyone had a similar situation? Any thoughts out there? I am so worried....that he will be affected somehow....

BLM

luvfla · 02-13-2009, 04:14 PM

Poor little punkin. Give him some kisses.

Sunnie · 02-13-2009, 04:16 PM

Oh poor baby. He is probably crying from where the IV was in. Just love him up and I agree that it might be good to wait until he is a little bigger to have him nuetered. Be sure and have the pre-op bloodwork done prior to having it done.

Skippy's Mom · 02-13-2009, 04:16 PM

What kind of surgery was he going to have? I would be tempted to cancel and not have it done.

Skippy's Mom · 02-13-2009, 04:17 PM

oh--neutered...can you not have it done?

Ellie May · 02-13-2009, 04:18 PM

Wow, how scary.

I'm glad he is okay though.

It is always best to do preop blood work before surgery.

What type of anesthesia was used and does the vet plan on using the same kind again?

MyFairLacy · 02-13-2009, 04:24 PM

wow that's very scary. I'm glad they were able to revive them. What is your vet's anaesthesia protcol? Did you not have any preop bloodwork done this time? I wish all vets would start insisting on doing preop bloodwork before anaesthetizing..it can be so dangerous not to

mxkids · 02-13-2009, 04:27 PM

Wow, I am not the most experienced, but thought I would tell you my thoughts. First I am glad that your Vet was able to succesfuly resuscitate him. I dont think it sounds right that he is lethargic, I would call the vets office and let them know how your baby is acting. After a stressful event the blood sugar can be low, and I am a little surprised they didnt keep him in the office to watch him through the day. You didnt say how long he was there so maybe they did. Do you have some nutra cal you can give him? Do you know how long they had to work on him? That could make a difference in his outcome. Sounds like a scarey day for both of you, my thought are with you!

BLM · 02-13-2009, 05:03 PM

Thank all of you for your responses.....I am not sure on the type of anesthesia, but it is a great point to remember and discuss with the vet....I did not have pre-op bloodwork done. My vet recommends bloodwork, but he does not require it for babies under the age of 7 years of age. He did advise that Toby will always need bloodwork before any future surgeries, due to this incident. The vet kept him all day...one of the vet techs actually held him all day until I picked him up at 530pm, which was the time that the vet asked that I pick him up. From the moment my little Toby heard me speak at the vet clinic, Toby cried loudly and did not stop until I arrived at home. Since he has not eaten since last night's dinner, I put some nutracal in is mouth as soon as I arrived home. I plan on giving him some more in a little while. It's almost 8pm and he does seem to be waking up and looking in my direction....I think it might be a long night...

Nancy1999 · 02-13-2009, 05:07 PM

I would like to know what type of anesthesia the vet used too, I'm so glad your baby is ok, but many vets don't use the right type anesthesia. Joey's breeder insisted that only Isoflurane or Sevoflo gas be used for anesthesia.

Ladymom · 02-13-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

wow that's very scary. I'm glad they were able to revive them. What is your vet's anaesthesia protcol? Did you not have any preop bloodwork done this time? I wish all vets would start insisting on doing preop bloodwork before anaesthetizing..it can be so dangerous not to

With the high incidence of liver shunts in Yorkies, all vets should insist bloodwork be done before any procedure. Most of the vets I know at the very least insist that pre op bloodwork be done for the first time an animal is going under anesthesia (usually the spay or neuter) and after an animal becomes a senior at age seven.

What a scary, close call. I am so glad he survived.

BLM · 02-13-2009, 05:29 PM

Believe me, I have learned my lesson! You are so right about not taking chances...I only hope that Toby will have a full recovery....and he will always have bloodwork for any procedure that the vet feels he should have bloodwork for. I never would have thought this could happen, after all he does have a health certificate from the breeder's vet, and he has been to my vet three times for check-up and vaccinations. It is all too easy to forget that in the end, these furbabies are very small and anything can happen.

BLM · 02-13-2009, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the tip on the anesthesia, you can bet that I will request the same for my baby (that is if I muster the courage to try this neutering business again). I did not even think to ask my breeder her thoughts...I could kick myself! This is one tip that I did not read in any of my Yorkshire Terrier books that I bought when I prepared for the arrival of my furbaby, and what an all important tip it is!

Ladymom · 02-13-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLM

Believe me, I have learned my lesson! You are so right about not taking chances...I only hope that Toby will have a full recovery....and he will always have bloodwork for any procedure that the vet feels he should have bloodwork for. I never would have thought this could happen, after all he does have a health certificate from the breeder's vet, and he has been to my vet three times for check-up and vaccinations. It is all too easy to forget that in the end, these furbabies are very small and anything can happen.

Bloodwork is the only way to determine if the organs are healthy enough to handle anesthesia. When you get bloodwork done, make sure Toby has a bile acids test, too. All Yorkies should have them to make sure they don't have a liver shunt. Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a shunt than all other breeds combined. A bad reaction to anesthesia or vaccinations can be a sign of a shunt.

Ladymom · 02-13-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLM

Thanks for the tip on the anesthesia, you can bet that I will request the same for my baby (that is if I muster the courage to try this neutering business again). I did not even think to ask my breeder her thoughts...I could kick myself! This is one tip that I did not read in any of my Yorkshire Terrier books that I bought when I prepared for the arrival of my furbaby, and what an all important tip it is!

Don't blame yourself. Your vet should have explained the importance of pre op bloodwork to you. Better yet, his office policy should be to insist on it for any animal who has never undergone anesthesia before.

You were lucky you didn't lose Toby.

02-13-2009, 04:07 PM	#1
BLM Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 22	Anesthesia Reaction My 3 lb/4 month baby Toby was scheduled to be neutered today. The vet could not perform the surgery. I was told that as soon as the anesthesia was administered he crashed and went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, the vet was able to revive him. The vet also advised that he wanted to wait 3-4 months before attempting the surgery again, and that he wanted to do bloodwork and see if there was a reason this occurred. I picked him up about 1 hour ago, and he cried loudly the full 10 minutes home. He stopped crying within 5 minutes of arriving home. He is sleeping next to me now and has not cried-but he is whimpering. He is very lethargic, and it in and out of sleep. Has anyone had a similar situation? Any thoughts out there? I am so worried....that he will be affected somehow.... BLM

02-13-2009, 04:16 PM	#3
Sunnie Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: So. California Posts: 4,057	Oh poor baby. He is probably crying from where the IV was in. Just love him up and I agree that it might be good to wait until he is a little bigger to have him nuetered. Be sure and have the pre-op bloodwork done prior to having it done. __________________ Sonya, Owned by Ladybug, Tilly, Sunshine, Beamer, Rainbow, Sonny and Righteous RIP Sunnie (11/12/2003-7/31/2009)

02-13-2009, 04:16 PM	#4
Skippy's Mom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 217 Blog Entries: 2	What kind of surgery was he going to have? I would be tempted to cancel and not have it done. __________________ Skippy and Gabby's Mom http://www.dogster.com/dogs/626557 Gabby Skippy

02-13-2009, 04:17 PM	#5
Skippy's Mom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 217 Blog Entries: 2	oh--neutered...can you not have it done? __________________ Skippy and Gabby's Mom http://www.dogster.com/dogs/626557 Gabby Skippy

02-13-2009, 04:18 PM	#6
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Wow, how scary. I'm glad he is okay though. It is always best to do preop blood work before surgery. What type of anesthesia was used and does the vet plan on using the same kind again? __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

02-13-2009, 04:14 PM	#2
luvfla YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 3,691	Poor little punkin. Give him some kisses.

02-13-2009, 04:24 PM	#7
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	wow that's very scary. I'm glad they were able to revive them. What is your vet's anaesthesia protcol? Did you not have any preop bloodwork done this time? I wish all vets would start insisting on doing preop bloodwork before anaesthetizing..it can be so dangerous not to __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

02-13-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
mxkids Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: idaho Posts: 171	Wow, I am not the most experienced, but thought I would tell you my thoughts. First I am glad that your Vet was able to succesfuly resuscitate him. I dont think it sounds right that he is lethargic, I would call the vets office and let them know how your baby is acting. After a stressful event the blood sugar can be low, and I am a little surprised they didnt keep him in the office to watch him through the day. You didnt say how long he was there so maybe they did. Do you have some nutra cal you can give him? Do you know how long they had to work on him? That could make a difference in his outcome. Sounds like a scarey day for both of you, my thought are with you! __________________ TuckerCooperTassie

02-13-2009, 05:03 PM	#9
BLM Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 22	Thank all of you for your responses.....I am not sure on the type of anesthesia, but it is a great point to remember and discuss with the vet....I did not have pre-op bloodwork done. My vet recommends bloodwork, but he does not require it for babies under the age of 7 years of age. He did advise that Toby will always need bloodwork before any future surgeries, due to this incident. The vet kept him all day...one of the vet techs actually held him all day until I picked him up at 530pm, which was the time that the vet asked that I pick him up. From the moment my little Toby heard me speak at the vet clinic, Toby cried loudly and did not stop until I arrived at home. Since he has not eaten since last night's dinner, I put some nutracal in is mouth as soon as I arrived home. I plan on giving him some more in a little while. It's almost 8pm and he does seem to be waking up and looking in my direction....I think it might be a long night...

02-13-2009, 05:07 PM	#10
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	I would like to know what type of anesthesia the vet used too, I'm so glad your baby is ok, but many vets don't use the right type anesthesia. Joey's breeder insisted that only Isoflurane or Sevoflo gas be used for anesthesia. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

02-13-2009, 05:29 PM	#12
BLM Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 22	Believe me, I have learned my lesson! You are so right about not taking chances...I only hope that Toby will have a full recovery....and he will always have bloodwork for any procedure that the vet feels he should have bloodwork for. I never would have thought this could happen, after all he does have a health certificate from the breeder's vet, and he has been to my vet three times for check-up and vaccinations. It is all too easy to forget that in the end, these furbabies are very small and anything can happen.

02-13-2009, 05:39 PM	#13
BLM Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 22	Thanks for the tip on the anesthesia, you can bet that I will request the same for my baby (that is if I muster the courage to try this neutering business again). I did not even think to ask my breeder her thoughts...I could kick myself! This is one tip that I did not read in any of my Yorkshire Terrier books that I bought when I prepared for the arrival of my furbaby, and what an all important tip it is!