Let me say firstly that I believe vets are good people who care deeply about animals. But I recently lost my dog who had an adverse reaction to anaesthetic. She was a lively 18 month old who went to have her ears syringed. You might say I am still going through the angry stage of grieving. Having read another message on this forum were lively dog has skin complaint dies week later after visit to vets continues to fuel this anger.

I've just read on the Internet that a drug manufacturer in America states under Adverse Conditions that for every 1,000 dogs treated, five might have adverse reactions to medication.

Now I know that no drug is 100% safe 100% of the time and most of us have been around long enough to seek out the best vets for our dogs but how many times have you been handed an information sheet explaining the possibility of side effects, and what to look for?

And how many of us take the time to find out if there might be an alternative treatment without risky side effects?

So it seems to me that it's a question of what is acceptable risk?

And it should start with us as dog owners being better educated about the medication our pets are receiving.

So sorry for your loss! :(  Having lost a bitch 3 years ago after being given Rimadyl, I now do exactly what you suggest, both for my dogs and myself.  It gets a little easier, but the bad taste never goes away.

Sorry about your lose. OUr thoughts are with you.

so sorry about your dog anita :(

I'm so sorry to read your post Anita - but please don't blame yourself.   You did the best, to your knowledge, for your dog.    The fact that she died under anaesthetic is not your fault.    Sadly, neither is it the fault of the vet, who most likely will have used the same procedures time after time.  

It hurts so much for you at the moment - just try and remember the good times.

{{{hugs}}}

Margot

I'm so sorry to hear of this. I know you'll be feeling terrible, because I lost a loved bitch from anaesthetic allergy 25 years ago. I too went through feeling guilt and anger at her untimely death - one day a healthy adult, the next fighting (and losing) a battle for her life.

But there's no-one to blame in these circumstances. We all know there's a risk involved with any anaesthetic (indeed with any medication), for humans as well as animals, which can't be predicted. It's simply one of those tragic misadventures.

It's devastating when you're one of the tiny minority where it goes wrong. My sympathies to you - in time it gets easier to bear. Be kind to yourself - and your vet, who'll be feeling dreadful too.

Very sad to read your post Anita.  I can only imagine just how dreadful it must be to lose a much loved pet this way.  Love to you at this awful time xx.

You must feel so robbed of such a loving friend , my heart goes out to you .............you are so right as owners we don't know enough about the drugs our pets are given and tend to put our trust in the vets and indeed the doctors.
The fact is they don't know everything , i am a midwife and believe it or not ,it is exactly the same with us humans ..........it is very much a process of elimination with most things , every dog or human reacts so differently .........you just can't tell until it happens . I think the major difference is the size of dogs , it makes it a lot more dangerous and unpredictable.........and for things such as ear cleaning or indeed any grooming type procedure , i am sure they could perhaps try and use a milder form of sedation .

I think we should all think twice and be more informed when it comes to the health of any of our family wether it be our dog or our husband ect........ So many of us put our trust in these people ....who really ......just read lots and lots of books and are learning each and every day of their lives from the  experience, and the way they usually learn is from error and then success.

We were left with a bitter taste in our mouth after losing a very much loved father - father in -law ........at a very young age .............. my husband still feels robbed .......but you have to accept or you can never move on . Humans are unfortunately for us, prone to human error .

I hope you in time, you find a peaceful place to remember your much loved girl.

My thoughts are with you.

So sorry to hear what you have been through with your very precious adored and very much cared for pet .
I can think of no words to comfort you Anita other than anytime you feel the need to talk we are all her for you.

Very sorry

~Roni

Thank you all so much and Jo x you hit the nail on the head - she only went in to have her ears cleaned. How I wished I'd have persevered with drops. Bound and gagged her if necessary because she'd still be with me. I left at the vets telling her she'd feel a whole new lady in a bit, no more head shaking, be a good girl and I'll see you in a bit. I don't blame the vet, she was as devastated as we were, she even sent me a card. And I did bring Jess back home, I had to, I couldn't leave her, she was my baby girl. Digging that hole was the worst thing I've ever ever had to do. There is one consolation though, she did gets her ears cleaned and wherever she is is she won't be shaking her head. I feel that Jess was robbed of so many things, being a Shepherd she was very much still a baby and had her whole life in front of her. Sorry I'm waffling now, but it's still a very painful memory.
Thank a lot once again, Anita   

Run free Jess. xxx

I am so very sorry for your loss Anita, so tragic. I cannot imagine how you must be hurting. My heart goes out to you
Kat
X

So Sorry for your loss Anita.
Hugs sent your way.

  xxx  jonelle