Died days after anasthesia

[LadyC]

I visited a vet specialized in exotic on Tuesday (4 hours away from me) for my 5 and a half year old female piggie because of dental issues. She was losing weight extremely quickly.

They did a full health examination and found out that she was strong enough for anaesthetic.

Teeth were overgrown especially the molars and she had a filing under anaesthetic.
(She were also diagnosed with anorexia and macrodontia, and they found two wounds in her mouth.)

The plan was to remove the huge teeth within one month.

Everything went well with the anesthesia and she were able to eat a little by her own afterwards.

The dental work was on $800.
I was so glad she came trought it all.

She was prescribed Metacam 0,44ml twice a day + 50ml critical care per 24 hours.

We were driving home on Thursday.

There was somewhat difficult as she refused the critical care but I was able to give her until today (Saturday) when she stopped chewing and swallowing. She could get some water when giving 0,1ml at time but she stopped swallowing that to eventually.

She looked very fragile this morning.

All exotic vet’s was closed and when calling the non-exotic vet they couldn’t do anything else than put her to sleep.

She died by her own short after I called the vet and I’m totally heartbroken.

I’m blaming myself because she didn’t get all critical care, but it’s hard when she stopped chewing and swallowing.

 

[Ramia]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I'm very sorry for your loss!
Unfortunately this can happen. Don't blame yourself. You did everything you could have done to help your little girl.

 

[VickiA]

I’m very sorry for your loss

 

[Truffolo]

So sad to hear of your loss. She was well cared for to reach such a good age. You did all you could for her. But it is a sad loss nevertheless.

 

[Jellybellybeans]

So sorry for your lossx

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry for your loss Please do not blame yourself. Whether or not you managed to get the critical care in to her, when they lose the ability to swallow nothing can be done and she would still have passed away, there’s sadly nothing more you could have done for her (((hugs))) x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry. It is not your fault. Major dental operations can be very tricky in a very sensitive area, and they are not quick operations, which all ups the risk for a bad reaction post-op. It was always going to be a make or break operation.
You have bought your precious girl the chance for a longer life; otherwise she would not have had any life at all. That was a very, very precious gift.

What you never have control over is the outcome; a vet can only ever assess the level of risk as to whether chances of success are greater than those of failure. What they can never give you - not even the very best - is a guarantee for success. But losing such an expensive gamble is always very galling and upsetting, as I know myself only too well.
A post-op death can sometimes happen days or even a month after an op, as it did with my Nesta who was never quite right after an incisor removal by the best dental vet in this country and then very suddenly and unexpectedly passed away a month after the op, never waking up from an afternoon nap.

It is very normal to have strong feelings of guilt and failure at the onset of the grieving process but they are an expression of how deeply you love and care and not because you have done anything wrong. We humans are unfortunately wired to reflect everything back onto ourselves even where there is no direct causal link. If didn't care deeply in the first place, you wouldn't have these feelings. It is as simple as that.

Please try to be kind with yourself. Be sad but don't feel bad. You haven't failed your beloved girl.

You may find this guide here very helpful for yourself in order to make more sense of the strange and unexpected places strong grief can take you. Grieving is so much more than just feeling very sad: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Cait_lin]

I'm so sorry for your loss It is not your fault at all! You did everything you could for her and I bet you gave her a happy life. You did not fail her

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. Please don’t blame yourself. Take care

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
You did everything possible for her so please don’t blame yourself.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve

 

[Bill & Ted]

I am so sorry you lost her after everything you did to help her, please don’t blame yourself, take care

 

[h_and_piggies]

Sorry for your loss. You did everything you could for your sweet girl and I’m sorry you didn’t get the outcome you were hoping for. She knew she was loved. Sleep tight little one x

 

[munchmonster]

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful piggy. You did everything you could but the rainbow bridge called her. She would have known how loved she was and will leave you with memories to treasure when the grief has subsided.
Run free at the bridge little one x

 

[LadyC]

Many thanks to all
I’m so sad this happened, and it’s almost like I regret letting her go under anesthesia - but on the other hand, she couldn’t eat properly and was losing weight, so we had to fix the teeth. Horrible situation.