Our 6 lb Yorkie died during a dental yesterday.

[Mary0814]

Please, can anyone share any info on this, we're in shock. Ernie was only 5 yrs had perfect labs, always a strong heart and vet told us she had just started polishing his teeth and he appeared to be starting to come out of anethesia when his breathing and heart stopped. He was our baby and I can't hardly stand it, it makes no sense, please help me.

[Lovetodream88]

I’m so sorry. Did they do blood work before the dental? What drugs did the vet use for anesthesia?

[Mary0814]

We had a complete blood panal done 1 week prior. Am trying to get info from the vet on the induction agent used and type of anesthesia used. I feel sick to my stomach and don't know what to do. He was the light of our life.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Mary0814

Please, can anyone share any info on this, we're in shock. Ernie was only 5 yrs had perfect labs, always a strong heart and vet told us she had just started polishing his teeth and he appeared to be starting to come out of anethesia when his breathing and heart stopped. He was our baby and I can't hardly stand it, it makes no sense, please help me.

Was Ernie starting to come out of the anesthesia while his teeth were being polished? If that's the case, it sounds like there might have been a problem with the anesthesia. You will definitely need to ask your vet more questions. Here are links to a couple of good articles on dental cleaning and anesthesia from the American Veterinary Dental College:

Questions to ask before having the dental performed: Pet Dental Cleaning Questions for Your Veterinarian

General information about the dental cleaning procedure: Veterinary Dental Cleaning - Dog / Cat Teeth Cleaning - AVDC

I'm very sorry to hear about your experience. Most dogs have safe, uneventful dental cleanings, but no procedure involving anesthesia is 100% safe. You will have to ask your vet more questions to see if Ernie's death could have been prevented, or if anything unusual happened during the procedure that led to his death.

[maxdog]

I am so sorry to hear this. Both Max an Sasha are going in for dental next week. We just had the blood work done yesterday. We are heartbroken over your loss.

[canana]

So very sorry this happened to your baby. I can't begin to imagine how much pain you must be going through. This is my biggest fear... despite most saying it's safe, you just never know. I'm so heart-broken for you. Hope some of the more knowledgeable members here (in terms of vet care), can help you to get some closure.

[Britster]

I'm so so sorry. How heartbreaking.

[matese]

How very, very tragic, I cannot Imagine the pain you're in over loosing sweet Ernie like this. ((( hugs)))

[pokidee]

The death rate of pets under anesthesia is higher than in humans due to pets not having dedicated anesthetist to pick up subtle signs the pet is having problems. They could possibly not have a dedicated anesthetist that could monitor the slight signs the pet could have cardiac and respiratory arrest. Ask who was monitoring the anesthesia...

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna...b_1968950.html

This article has some questions that could help you ask the veterinarian to help you understand more what happened.

Could be possible an anesthesia allergy. These are the symptoms. Maybe ask your vet if she had some of these symptoms put in this article.

https://wagwalking.com/condition/anesthesia-allergies

Sorry for your loss. I hope you find some peace in knowing you did your best in loving and taking care of Ernie. Sometimes things are out of our hands.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pokidee

The death rate of pets under anesthesia is higher than in humans due to pets not having dedicated anesthetist to pick up subtle signs the pet is having problems. They could possibly not have a dedicated anesthetist that could monitor the slight signs the pet could have cardiac and respiratory arrest. Ask who was monitoring the anesthesia...

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna...b_1968950.html

This article has some questions that could help you ask the veterinarian to help you understand more what happened.

Could be possible an anesthesia allergy. These are the symptoms. Maybe ask your vet if she had some of these symptoms put in this article.

https://wagwalking.com/condition/anesthesia-allergies

Sorry for your loss. I hope you find some peace in knowing you did your best in loving and taking care of Ernie. Sometimes things are out of our hands.

Death during anesthesia when blood work is done before hand and the proper protocols are taken are are actually not very high at all. Anesthesia is actually very safe when done right.

[Shicks]

Oh my, what a troubleling post. So very sorry. I hope your Vet corporates with you on this. You need truthful answers.
So sorry

[Captainzing]

My heart goes out to you

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by pokidee

The death rate of pets under anesthesia is higher than in humans due to pets not having dedicated anesthetist to pick up subtle signs the pet is having problems. They could possibly not have a dedicated anesthetist that could monitor the slight signs the pet could have cardiac and respiratory arrest. Ask who was monitoring the anesthesia...

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna...b_1968950.html

This article has some questions that could help you ask the veterinarian to help you understand more what happened.

Could be possible an anesthesia allergy. These are the symptoms. Maybe ask your vet if she had some of these symptoms put in this article.

https://wagwalking.com/condition/anesthesia-allergies

Sorry for your loss. I hope you find some peace in knowing you did your best in loving and taking care of Ernie. Sometimes things are out of our hands.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Death during anesthesia when blood work is done before hand and the proper protocols are taken are are actually not very high at all. Anesthesia is actually very safe when done right.

Death is a very low risk during dentals......

Pokidee is correct about monitoring. I have not read the entire post or looked at the links yet. As to what you said Lovetodream about it being safe when done right is correct.....BUT part of "done right" is that a dedicated person (does not have to be an anesthesiologist) is always there monitoring the vital signs during anesthesia/surgery. My vet always has a tech whose job is to sit there and NOT MOVE during any anesthetic procedure. The only way the person can leave that spot is if someone is there to replace him/her. Vital signs MUST be constantly monitored.

To the OP.....ask for the record of vital signs taken during the dental. If they don't have it, that might be the issue. Often vets will cut corners...it is pricey to run a vet clinic and this is sadly one area that gets cut back on. Happens in any business really...but can be deadly in health care of humans or animals.

I will not use a vet who is not AAHA accredited and this is one of the reasons. Their records are thoroughly checked out during inspections and proper procedures must be meticulous. I have a friend who almost lost her yorkie recently because of a vet's error during a dental....the poor pup was hospitlaized for days after...they had actually had to perform CPR on her. The vet was not AAHA accredited and we do believe that was the issue...only one person doing the dental and the vet "supervising" which is NOT sitting there watching.

I am SO sorry this happened to your baby. I cannot imagine.......it may or may not be due to the above and honestly it wouldn't matter to you anyway. It is simply horrible to lose one.

[mrssabes]

So extremely sorry for your loss.

[Susan78]

I am so sorry for the loss of your yorkie. Susan