[Wren]

I have a JRT puppy, just over 3 months old. 3 weeks ago he somehow broke his left front leg. We are not sure if he jumped or fell off the deck, but landed wrong and broke the ulna. The vet said it was a simple break and would be easily fixed. He was sedated and his leg was casted. I had to take him back in 1 week for a new cast. Again he was sedated, and a new cast put on.

Monday the pup decided he wanted to swim..silly puppy. He jumped into the pool before I could grab him. Of course now his cast is soaking wet and has to be changed yet again. I took him to the vet Tuesday morning on my way to work planning to pick him up that evening.

When I got there last night my puppy, who never sits still was wrapped in a blanket, laying on a computer chair beside the front desk nurse. He did not even lift his head when I came in. I was told that when they tried to sedate him this time his heart stopped and they had to work to being him back. HE was still not able to move around...he could not even sit up on his own. The vet took him home with him last night to watch him..and is supposed to call him today and let me know how he is.

I am sorry very very worried about him. I dont know whats going on. I was told this may have happened because he his so small and had been sedated so many times in a short period of time. But shouldn't the vet have known that?? I dont know if I should continue to use this vet or find someone else?

If anyone has had anything like this at all....or can give advice or suggestions I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[CorkyMax]

Gee! I just posted you on your other post--not knowing of your poor little puppy! Sorry this has happened--I hope he is going to be all right. I can't really answer your question as far as any experience but I sure would think that yes this was too many times so close together for such a young puppy to be sedated. It is risky enough with just one sedation for any age dog! Also wonder if he was given too much (mistake?--of course you would never find out if this might of been part of the problem.). Thinking you could put words in your browser to find out how long 1 sedation would be having an effect---out of the system. I don't take much faith in many vets so to me I'd prob. be getting another vet.

I also am very worried about your puppy and am afraid what this can permanently do to your baby. Will be hoping for a good outcome. Keep us posted as we worry if we never hear back--assuming the worst. Your posting about this may make others be aware of this danger and stop them from letting the same thing happen to their puppies. Thanks for that!

I am going to do a little research on the web (little later--have to go feed my 2 dogs). If I find anything --will come back in this thread and let you know.

[Wren]

Thanks so much! I am still waiting to hear back from them. I was told "no news is good news" but the mommy side of me worries. I would really like to know whats going on.

As soon as I hear back I will post something. Thanks

[cigwyllt]

Hello there, what a horrible situation. Poor little pup. If you hadn't said there was a problem with the anaesthetic I would say not to worry. The cause for concern is because they said they nearly lost him.

Having said that my husband's old Jack Russell was a young adult when he injured his leg and the vet decided to put him out while he xrayed it as the cost of the xray was too high to risk needing to do it twice. He had the procedure done in the morning - he was only there an hour or so - and I my husband collected him and brought him home. He was totally unresponsive. We simply could not wake him but the vet said he was fine. We had to go out that evening and we took him with us rather than leaving him at home and he never stirred. He had no supper and when we went to bed we left him in his bed beside us. At 3.00 a.m.- a good 15 hours after the op - he woke up and he was WIDE awake. He jumped onto the bed - something he would never do normally - licking us, dropping his ball on my husband's face, completely crazy. We put outside to go to the toilet and he came back in and sat by his bowl and "asked" for his tea! And he just wanted to play and play.

It was as though the anaesthetic left his system in one go rather than coming round gradually.

I know that it isn't the same situation and that you have more reason to be concerned but it is a possibility. Also, I wonder if he is in more pain because perhaps they had to replace his cast without the anaesthetic?

As Corky/Max has said, please do let us know what is happening as soon as you get news. Jack Russells are particularly close to my heart and your little pup will be in my thoughts while we wait to hear from you.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Wren

Thanks so much! I am still waiting to hear back from them. I was told "no news is good news" but the mommy side of me worries. I would really like to know whats going on.

As soon as I hear back I will post something. Thanks

Just started searching--Came across this that might be of interest to you--Note that there are 2 pages. Can you check with vet to find out what all they used and esp. if combined different things? I would ask for a copy of all the paperwork done on your puppy for this incident (actually I ask for all the paperwork everytime I take my dog for bloodwork, operations, etc.) They should have no problem with filling your request!! If you wanted this info in a hurry---Have them fax it (If you have a fax machine) or give them your email address and have them send it that way--You could then make copies (If you have a copier).

Here is the link: Dog Crying for hours, anesthesia? - Puppy & Dog Forums

Another site--very long and some does not pertain but if you scan (lol, closely) you may find some things of interest:
MAHA

Will be back if I find more.

[Wren]

I just got off the phone with my vet. He says that Trexon is breathing well and is color is good. However he is acting very depressed, not eating, and is certainly not himself at all. He will look up when his name is called and thats about all. He said that he had given him glucose in the hopes that it would perk him up a bit. I was also told that he is not ready to come home at all and to wait until he was "out of the woods". The vet said that of course this is a huge shock to his system, and sometimes it takes a couple of days to fully recover. I am supposed to call back between 3 & 4 and find out how he is doing.

About the anesthesia- I was told he was given gas. I assume they mean nitrous? I am unsure really. I am going to call them back and ask for the files to be sent to me. Thanks everyone!

[cigwyllt]

The glucose can make a huge difference. A friend's JR was fading fast after a snake bite and within an hour of my friend rubbing honey on her lips she picked up enough to drink.

I hope he has started to turn a corner now.

[CorkyMax]

Thanks for the update and the indications that he is starting to improve (Hope more improvement soon!). Will be waiting to hear more good news!:

[cherylmartin]

hoping we get more good news later today.

[Lara's mom]

I'm very sorry to hear about your puppy. It could very well be the number of times that he was sedated. Unfortunately, I don't know what other option there could have been for the vet because of the fracture. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out well. I adore Jack Russell's. Please keep us updated.

[Todd]

Just caught this thread. I am so sorry to hear what happened. Hopefully everything turns out alright. Please keep us updated. You and your dog are in my prayers.

Todd

[Wren]

I called my vet a little while ago and got some very bad news.

Apparently Trexon is still almost totally unresponsive. He will not eat or drink pretty much at all. They had to give him fluids for fear he would dehydraite. The vet said that after 24 hours he should have come around much more than this, and the longer he remains in the state the more he believes that there maybe permenant brain damage. :cry:

He did say that it was too early to give up on him yet, and that there was still a chance that he would come around, but he wanted me to be well informed so I will not be totally shocked if this ends badly.

I am at work, and had to go outside after I took the call, and just cried and cried. How do I explain to my 3 kids that puppy didnt make it, knowing that its my fault for not watching him close enough and letting him get wet.

Please keep Trexon in your thoughts...and maybe I can hope for some miraculas turn around. You all have been so supportive for someone just coming in and I want to say thank you.

I will post more tomorrow after I get more information.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Wren

I called my vet a little while ago and got so very bad news.

Apparently Trexon is still almost totally unresponsive. He will not eat or drink pretty much at all. They had to give him fluids for fear he would dehydraite. The vet said that after 24 hours he should have come around much more than this, and the longer he remains in the state the more he believes that there maybe permenant brain damage. :cry:

He did say that it was too early to give up on him yet, and that there was still a chance that he would come around, but he wanted me to be well informed so I will not be totally shocked if this ends badly.

I am at work, and had to go outside after I took the call, and just cried and cried. How do I explain to my 3 kids that puppy didnt make it, knowing that its my fault for not watching him close enough and letting him get wet.

Please keep Trexon in your thoughts...and maybe I can hope for some miraculas turn around. You all have been so supportive for someone just coming in and I want to say thank you.

I will post more tomorrow after I get more information.

Oh no. I am so sorry. As I said, I will start praying for the poor guy right now. Please keep us up to date.

Todd

[Wren]

Good morning everyone. I wanted to take a moment to let you all know the latest on Trexon...and to again say thank you so much for being so kind. It has helped to have a sympathetic listener. Thank you!

After leaving work yesterday I stopped by the vets off to visit Trexon, and see for myself exactly what was going on. While the vet had told me he was "depressed" and pretty much unresponsive it did not prepare me for what I saw. When they brought him to me he was wrapped in blankets and not moving at all except his eyes. I called him, spoke to him, got on eye level with him, hoping to see at least some recognition of who I was and there was nothing. He did not even twitch an ear. He moved his head slightly, but honestly I am not sure if he was moving it, or if it was a involuntary movement. He would blink if something got near his eyes, but that was it.

I spoke to the vet at length about our options and where to go from here. He still feels there is a chance that this may pass, and is taking Trexon home with him every night so that he was 24 hour supervision. He is on fluids still because he is not eating or drinking at all.

I am not sure how long I should wait it out. I want to give him enough time to get better, but I dont want to hold him here longer making him suffer if there is no hope.

Again thanks for listening. If I learn anything more I will post.

[CorkyMax]

So sorry to hear about Trexon. I feel so bad for what you are going through and I am going through similar thoughts. I may have to have my Corky put down today--depending on the results of his bloodwork today. He is never going to get better but has good days and bad days. It is a hard decision to know when to let him go. I hope you will know when to make the right decision for your Trexon. But I hope he pulls out of this--Will be thinking of you both and hoping for the best.

[Wren]

I am so sorry to hear about Corky. I will keep him and you in my thoughts and hope for the best outcome possible for you.

[cigwyllt]

I'm so sorry - I was really hoping that he would have been like our Barney and suddenly wake up all bright and cheerful. No one can make the decision but you but for what it's worth I would trust the vet at this time - if he feels it is worth holding on then do it. No one knows for certain of course whether or not he is in pain but I think the vet would know if it was time to let him go. You are in my thoughts.

[Lara's mom]

I'm so sorry that things aren't going well at this point. Give him a little more time. We're all praying that he'll improve.

[Wren]

I just got off the phone with the vet's assistant. She said that Trexon was showing a little improvment today. He is still not up and walking or anything but he is lifting his head more, and if he gets too hot he will move himself off his heating pad and such. It is not a great improvement, but I will take anything I can get at this point!

This gives a little more hope, though I am going to try not be overly optimistic just yet.

Thanks everyone!

[gambler-girl]

I echo about going in and asking for a copy of the records, this sounds like the vet screwed up and gave him either the wrong drugs or too much of them or forgot to turn the oxygen on.... I would be very suspicous if I wre you.

GG