Our puppy Abby, need some advice...

[luv2sparkle]

I have been wanting to post about our new little girl we got in August. This week we almost lost her. I took her to be spayed. She is
four months old. She got though the surgery okay, but afterward her heart stopped and she stopped breathing. When I went to pick
her up they wouldn't tell me anything until everyone else had left. I had to take her to an emergency vet for the night and was told
she likely wouldn't make it. All the way there she was screaming. They said she had a brain injury and water on her brain.

Well she made it though the night and she was pretty limp and incoherent. They told us in the morning she was blind but that she could
regain her sight. She didn't recognize us by sight or smell in the morning. We took her to another vet for the day, closer to home.
By the end of the day, she seemed to have some sight and recognized our voices and seemed to be able to see us. She couldn't quit
kissing all of us.

She is a little wobbly this morning and I can tell she has some vision problems. What I was wondering was if anyone has had anything
like this happen to a pet and if they were able to regain their sight.

We have been so devastated. We took this wonderful bouncy healthy puppy to be spayed and almost lost her and she has lost her health
and vigor. DH left work and came home for the night in case we had to make hard decisions in the morning. He is so attached to this
little girl.

Does anyone think there is hope for her getting better?

 

[luv2sparkle]

I have no idea why the pics double posted that way..... sorry about that.

 

[yssie]

Oh god. Luv - I'm SO sorry Abby is a beauty and she sounds precious! What a horrible thing to have happened.

I don't have any advice - I've never heard of a spay/neuter procedure going so terribly wrong, but huge ::HUGS:: to you, your DH, and your girl, and truckloads of healing dust to her. It sounds like she improved quite a bit in a short amount of time, from when you brought her home? I feel like that's a good sign.

 

[aviastar]

I agree with Yssie, the immediate improvement upon returning home has to be a good sign!

Not the same situation, but my older Shepard is losing his sight; it's common with the breed and within two days he was almost blind. We were given drops to bring down some internal swelling. It's been a year and as long as we remember the drops everyday his sight is near perfect. Maybe, if she has regained some sight, they have something that will help her maintain.

But, wow, what a terrible situation. There are always risks with any surgery, but I have never heard of anything like this. Thoughts are with you guys...

 

[gammygam]

Oh my goodness what an awful thing to have to go through...thoughts and prayers are with you and Abbey. I hope she gets well soon.

 

[lulu]

If she has a brain injury it sounds like something went wrong with the anesthesia and I'm wondering if there was malpractise..Did either vet do anything to drain the fluid. Where's Bee?

 

[junebug17]

If she has a brain injury it sounds like something went wrong with the anesthesia and I'm wondering if there was malpractise..Did either vet do anything to drain the fluid. Where's Bee?

That was my first thought too...I'm so, so sorry about this - did any of the vets who saw her have any idea what caused this to happen? She sounds like she's coming back a bit, I hope she continues to improve, this is such an awful thing.

 

[dogmama]

Oh my God. My heart goes out to you. When I had my little girl spayed, I was overcome with emotion and scared beyond belief. My Fudge is my baby and I would be inconsolable if I was you.

I sincerely hope that you precious little one continues to improve. I would hunt down for more concrete answers as to why this has happened! I would be furious.

I can only say that I am so, so sorry. That is so trite compared to what I feel for you inside right now, as a devoted dog lover.

Please hang in there and hope for the best. My prayers go out to you.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Thanks so much everyone for the dust and prayers. We talked to two other vets who said basically it is a reaction to the anesthetic,and all said that it could have happened even if we would have waited a couple years before we had her spayed. It is not all that uncommon.

Sometimes Abby seems like she is seeing us and sometimes not. She has mobility problems and has a hard time walking. Today she tried to stand up with her paws on my son's leg and fell over backwards. later she was sitting with me on my bed and got too close to the edge and fell off. My bed is pretty high (I have to stand on the rail to get in) but luckily a pillow was next to the bed and she landed on it. When I take her out to pee as she is walking her back legs collapse underneath her as she is walking.

I was really hoping someone here had had an experience with this problem that ended up with a good recovery, but Abby can certainly use all the dust and prayers you all have. I think it has hit my DH and I especially because we have dealt with brain injury with one of our kids.

Thanks so much again to everyone!

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

So sorry you have had to experience this. I wish your little Abby a full recovery and a long healthful life.

 

[maplefemme]

I'm so sorry to hear this, she's adorable and so young. I have never heard of this type of reaction.... if other vets say it is common, did they give you any idea of a prognosis? Did they say if full recovery is common or not?
I know it's a moot point now, but I'd be pi$$ed that the original vet did not contact me immediately and offer to transport her to the emerg. vet right away, that was inhumane and negligent on their part. Seems all they cared about was you potentially reacting and upsetting their other clients, your dog's health was not their main priority.

I hope she makes a full recovery and lives out a full, wonderful life with you.

 

[annee]

I'm so sorry to hear about Abby. When I went to get my dog neutered I was standing right outside and the second they took him off the anesthesia he started screeching/crying. My heart broke into a million pieces hearing him in so much pain, luckily he was fine and made a full recovery. My heart goes out to you as I can't simply imagine the amount of heartache you must be experiencing. Here's to hoping Abby has a speedy recovery.

 

[Phoenix]

I'm so so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and yr adorable Abby.

Sending lots of dust and prayers your way. {{{HUGS}}} too.

 

[Lottie]

I am so sorry to hear this, years ago one of our cats had to go under a general anaesthetic and when we picked him up his mouth was hanging open, head lolled to one side and eyes glazed over. We asked the vet and she said he was fine and just taking a while to wake up properly. When we got him home his legs weren't working and he was in a terrible state. Panicked, I rang the vet and after some shouting on my part it eventually came out that they had somehow managed to give poor old Boozle double the dose of anaesthetic he should have had and that there was nothing we could do but wait it out. He spent two days either on my bed or my lap, incontinent and clearly distressed but he was 100% ok after about four days, I wish I had asked more questions at the time about how it happened but I was too worried about Boozle. It definately sounds to me as though something happened with your puppy's anaesthesia, I hope she improves.

 

[missy]

Oh I am so sorry about what Abby and your family is going through! What a terrible thing to happen!
Did the vet recommend IV steroids to perhaps bring the Optic Nerve swelling down in the eyes? It sounds like perhaps the allergic reaction Abby had to the anesthetic could have caused swelling in the eyes damaging the ON's but maybe steroids could lessen that swelling and help her regain her sight? I am not sure if this would help as I am not a veterinarian (my sister who is a vet is out of the country right now and I cannot get in touch with her anytime soon but as soon as I can I will ask her) but it might help.

I am sending bucket loads of dust Abby's way for a complete recovery!! Big hugs to you and Abby!

 

[Dandi]

Oh luv, I'm so sorry this has happened to your beautiful baby. I'm hoping so hard that she recovers fully!!

 

[iheartscience]

Oh no-I'm so sorry. Sending tons of get well dust to your pup. I hope with time she recovers fully. Did the emergency vet give you any information? Have you taken her to the vet since? I would take her to a new vet, preferably a specialist, to be examined and to get information on the possibility of recovery.

I agree that the spaying vet was negligent and it makes me so angry!

 

[jmtomaui]

Luv, I don't know where you live but is there a major university near you? One that has a vet school? Maybe they could help with some of your questions.

Our vet school is an amazing teaching / science school and have big hearts to help the little ones. I don't know, it is just a thought that maybe someone not a "commercial" vet might have some suggestions without being afraid of sounding negative toward another doctor?

ETA - I should have started out telling you how very sorry I am to hear about this little cutie having struggles right now. Good thoughts for a full recovery!

 

[lulu]

http://www.vetinfo.com/vets/answers/dog-brain-injury-with-disorientation-what-now

This is a link to a question similar to yours. I'd bet there is more info to be obtained on this site. I think the way your vet handled this was horrible and I'd find a new one.

 

[moosemom]

Luv, I am sorry I don't have any experience with this or advice to give you, but I wanted to say how sorry I am that all of this happened to your little Abby and your family. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you for her recovery. It sounds like she has the support and love of a wonderful family.

 

[Blackpaw]

Luv, im so so sorry this happened to poor Abby it sounds like there's a good chance she'll recover completely so i really hope that's the case and im sending lots of ***DUST*** to her.

and hopefully bee* can chime in with some advice...

How is she now? any better?

 

[Haven]

Oh, Luv, I'm so sorry. I'm sending lots of good dust and healing vibes your way.

How is Abby doing today? Is she any better? Have you gotten any more answers/information?

I hope she continues to regain her facilities and spunk. Dust and hugs, dust and hugs.

What a precious little girl.

 

[Sparklee]

There is always hope!!!

Maybe she just needs a little time for her body and brain to return to normal, and bar any unknown complications, she will be back to normal in no time. Thoughts and prayers with your little furbaby.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Thanks to everyone, I so appreciate all of your hugs and dust and well wishes for our Abby. How is it that 4 little pounds of
puppy can so wrap herself around your heart that her pain and suffering can just devastate you?

But the news is good, Abby is doing better! Yesterday, she could hardly walk, her legs would buckle underneath her, and when she
would try to put two paws on a leg she would fall over backwards. It was so sad.

Today her tracking is better with her eyes, although I don't know if her vision is completely back, but better. I got her to go up the
stairs with a little help and she came down by herself. She was a little wobbly, but she made it. Her belly is completely black and blue
and looks awful.

We originally took her to our local Humane Society. We have take several dogs there and never had a problem. They have a vet there for
minor problems and they do the dogs shots. I know it sounds like they did something wrong, but I have always been really happy with
the caring people and good vets. I think it was just one of those things. I am sure they didn't know how I would react. Some people
either get hysterical or angry. They were really very caring and called the next day to see how she was, and we went back to find
out all the meds she was given, so she never has them again. Part of the problem, could have been she had another round of shots
at the same time. I will never do that again. I always made sure my kids vaccinations were spaced out a little more, but I didn't think
about it with Abby.

Last night I got her to play with me a little bit. We would play a game on my bed, she would hide behind the many pillows and I would
get her little paw, and she would come out and bark at me,in her little baby barks. She would pretend to be so mad, and it was just so
darn cute. When she came home she didn't have any voice to bark at all. She was just silent. When I put her in her little kennel she protested a bit and barked at me last night. Normal feels soooo good!

Here are a couple pic I took just before I sat down to post...

 

[Haven]

I'm so happy to hear that your sweet girl is doing better, Luv! Abby is so precious, and I hope she continues to get better and better until she is right back to normal again.

Those pictures are adorable. Her little face just melts my heart.

Continued dust coming your way!!!!

 

[iLander]

I am SO happy she is doing better!!

I will send you some dust and best wishes for your little sweetey. Dachsunds (sp?) are tough little dogs, they are not delicate flowers by any means and that is one of my favorite things about them. People think that because they are little, that they are wimps. But they were bred to pull badgers from holes (I know you know that, just passing info to readers) and they are just great dogs.

I bet with her pluck, your wonderful care, and our PS dust, she comes out just fine!

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Oh Luv... I am in tears for you, little Abby, and your family.

No advice, but prayers, hugs, wishes and positive thoughts that she regains her health

ETA: Didn't see the latest update! SO happy she is on the mend! I hope she continues to get better and better. She is a lucky little gal to have owners that love and care about her so much!

 

[junebug17]

Yay I'm SO glad she's doing a little better, it made my day!!! I'll be hoping and praying she bounces back even more - my heart goes out to you that you and your sweet dog had to go through this. She may be little, but she's proving to be a tough cookie! Please keep us posted if you can- she is just the cutest thing!

 

[Lottie]

Great news, glad to hear she is on the mend.

 

[missy]

Wonderful news!! So happy dear Abby is doing better!!!
Sending you dust for a continued and complete recovery!