Apologies before I begin... 

I have read many topics here, not posted, but read and gained valuable information from you all - so I wanted to say thank you for that before I begin...  I need to ask for some help, but understand that advice may not be easy to give because it's a difficult one - and I am not sure even if I should post it here, but it is health related in a way...  Here goes, deep breath...

Unfortunately, very sadly and very suddenly our beloved 11 month old GSD passed away on Tuesday.  An amazing boy, he taught me so much and I love(d) him dearly.  He was a great family pet and our children are understandably distressed by his loss too. 

The circumstances surrounding his death are what I wanted to ask about; if anyone had ever experienced or heard of it before (I am sorry to ask such a painful question) but I just cannot seem to find anything similar anywhere and I have been searching many forums etc...

Buddy went to the vet for a routine castration.  His health has been excellent, weight very good, very fit and he loved his training etc.  The Vet called me to say that he was coming round and recovering well and gave me a time to collect him.  5 minutes before I was about to leave to pick him up, they called to say that very very unexpectedly, he had simply keeled over and passed away - they could not revive him.  He had played, been to the toilet, eaten and drunk water and then simply passed away - from full fitness to going to sleep in a matter of moments...  I am struggling to understand how this can happen...  Do you think it is just one of those things? - what is 'one of those things'...  I guess I am looking for blame, and that is probably my grief talking, I know...  But I just wondered what can cause something like that?  The Vet said that if it had been something to do with the operation it would have shown sooner, he recovered too well for a link with the op or anaesthetic... He said all his organs were tip top, his heart rate was great...  He wondered if there was a congenital heart problem and to our knowledge there is not... 

I am sorry if my question seems insensitive... I guess I just feel very alone and in shock still...  It all seems so unbelievable...

Anyway - do accept my apologies.  I just had to try, just in case someone here could shed some light...

Many thanks for your consideration.

Jenni.

I cant add anything to help you understand all this.   Such a tragedy.

I just wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.  (((((((((hugs)))))))))

How sad.

I am no expert in dog health but anaesthetic generally runs a risk whether you are animal or human.

So sorry for your loss Jenni.

Did your vet conduct a post-mortem examination? Even if he did that won't always show up anything. You will probably never know why this happened.

Firstly, I just want to say that I am sorry to hear of your loss. How awful to lose your boy in what should normally be a 'routine' operation. I do however agree that unfortunately there is always some degree of concern with anaesthetic. Oddly enough, a friend of mine (in Labradors) whose dog had sired a litter, had a phone call from the breeder of the puppy saying that one of the boy pups had been castrated one day, and the next morning when they came down he had died in his sleep, all tucked up nice and cosy like he was just asleep. They never got to the bottom of it, so I really don't know if you will ever find an answer, which will be very hard for you, because I know that I would be upset but also so angry not knowing why?!!

I am so so sorry to read of your loss. What a heart-breaking situation for you. I really feel for you.

Distressing as this maybe I would want a full PM doing on the puppy. Also why was he being castrated so early was it the vet's idea ?

Run free at the Bridge young boy

Cyber {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} to you & your family

So sorry to hear of your sad loss.  I too would want a PM.

Louise

thats so awful, i'm so very sorry for you and your family.

we lost a bitch before when she went in for a spay as she had pyo. she died in recovery as she was not properly 'tied off' inside i believe (i was quite young). we were all devestated, including the vet who ended up taking leave with stress from it as he loved her to.

if your not sure about things and think knowing would help get an pm.

very sorry again {{{hugs}}}

Thank you all for your kind words...  The Vet had said that they would castrate anytime after 6 months, but I just kept putting it off.  We were advised by breed club that between 10 months and 1 year old...  I don't know about a pm - I don't know what to do...  Indeed the vet was very saddened by the situation - they are a good vets (I am told by many others)...  Do you think something could have gone wrong?...  I saw his notes and everything looked fine and checked off - but I guess that doesn't mean anything... 

I feel I want to let him rest in peace... I can't change anything - he's gone... and it feels so unfair...

Thank you all for your kindness...

I am truly sorry to hear about your sudden and devestating loss for you and your family.Sorry I can't offer any constructive help,but my thoughts are with you.

something can go wrong in any surgery, it's why no ones ever eager to have it done, we do it cause we have to.you may never know, even with a pm so if your not comfortable maybe just let it rest. it's no answer but sometimes these things just happen, which i know is stupid- we live in a world where we are used to answers but sometimes there just aren't any.

it is unfair, your right. i am so sorry for you all. remember he will be at peace now

I cant added anything either.
Just wanted to say im so very sorry for your loss (((((((hugs)))))))))

I am so sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear about your loss.

I am not a vet but I am a human nurse and you really should have the post mortem as something has gone wrong.  It is very very rare for a human to suffer any problems after initial wake up after surgery.  There is however a couple of things that could have gone wrong.  Firstly your beloved puppy could have had a medical problem that could not be picked up and was therefore at risk.  This is usually the case if they have liver or kidney problems.  But there is a couple of things that could have gone wrong.  They could have given to much anaesthetic so took him to deep and then had to bring him back up again but the initial dose could have caused damage which they could not tell until he had recovered.  Secondly they may have not given enough reversal meaning after he walked around and went for another nap he went back into a sedative state meaning he couldn't breath for himself, this happens regularly which is why they should be monitored closely.

I know all this sounds horrible to read but I would really have the PM to put your mind at rest.  A healthy person or puppy doesn't just die these days.  There is too much equipment to monitor animals and humans to stop things going wrong.

My heart goes out to you

Emma

Hi Jenni. How sad this is. I really do feel for you. Sadly, as the others have said, there is always a slight risk with surgery & and anaesthesia, but today those risks are minimal. My advice to you is, if you decide to have a post mortem done, do have a different vet do it from a different practice. Otherwise there is a conflict of interest.
When I had my bitch spayed at 5yrs old, I have never had a dog so ill afterwards. I took her back several times, but each time these vets told me there was nothing wrong. She did eventually improve but it wasn't till 7 months later, having been refered to specialists for a new condition, did i learn that a ligiture had slipped post op & she had to be taken back to theatre ! I was never told by that vet that this had happened. Needless to say im no longer with that practice.!
Your in my thoughts. A PM may allow you to move on.

So sorry for your loss. Run free at rainbow bridge.
Donna x

I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

Run free baby boy xxxx

So very sorry for your loss .......  Cant offer any help or guidance other than heart felt thoughts for you and yours

I am so sorry for your tragic loss.
Love and thoughts are sent your way at this difficult time.

Jonelle

Hi jenni
so sorry to hear about your sudden loss,
maybe you will never know what happened,to make him pass away,
perhaps it was his time, who knows .
he is waiting at the bridge for you now,
if you havent read this poem yet
here it is hope it helps , it has helped me in the past.
hope you find out what happened
Donna



RainbowsBridge.com
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown..

I had my bitch spayed just before she was 2 years old.  She was operated on early in the day - phoned at midday and they said she'd come round and to check in mid afternoon to pick her up.  Did so and was she was still wozzy, eventually they allowed her home at 7pm that night.  Got her home and she immediately went into shock, I thought for a while that she'd gone but thankfully she pulled through.  Turned out that the Vet's had used a heavy annasetic (sp?) for cost reasons I can only presume - other dogs of the same breed have also had problems with this brand. 

So sorry to hear about your lad, it's a heart breaking thing to happen.

I dont think there is anything I can add to what others have said , it is such a tragic thing to happen and in one so young ,if you think a pm will help you and your family have one done if not just remember the good times.
He is at peace now.

Jenni - so, so sorry to hear of your loss.

This happened to my friend who breeds Samoyeds - her young lad went in for a routine op and woke up from the op, shortly after he passed away. I'm so sorry that this happened to you and wish there was something I could say to make you feel better xx

Thank you all so very much...  We are so touched by the responses we have had here on this message board.  I have spoken again with the Vets and they have been very helpful.  We did not know what to do about a PM, as we didn't really know much about it.  We decided not to have one - partly because we had enquired to late really anyway (we did enquire independently with seperate vets etc)...  The vet has been open in his response to our questions and we are going to meet with him again next week.  From your comments, we now feel clearer on what we want to ask him etc. 

The Rainbow Bridge wording is beautiful and so touching and I am holding onto a vision of my boy - so full of energy, so perfect...  We were blessed to have him in our lives, albeit for such a short time...

Thank you again - all of you.x.

i really do feel for you...not to add more confusion but under a ga is the risk not of not waking up, were as in this case the dog woke up first and was fine. also i really do think the vet should actually warn you that a ga can cause problems my dog has been under ga several time and i have never yet been warned of any danger.

sorry about your dog i really really feel for you and hope you get some answers
x