I think the vet over drugged my dog
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
April 2, 2007 8:44pm CST
I took my 6 month old puppy, Brady, to the vet this morning to get him neutered. I felt so bad, especially when he planted his butt and started to cry and looked at me like "don't leave me here." The vet called at noonish and said he did fine throught hte surgery, and gave me a list of instructions, but told me to call at 3 to see when I could bring him home. My hubby called at 3 and they said anytime after 5 was fine. I've had other dogs "fixed" before, but none of them has acted like Brady is. He doesn't want to eat or drink, and is kind of stumbling around. I think they over did it on the anesthetic, and I'm worried about him. I called the vet and he said this was normal, but all my other dogs haven't acted like this, and the list of instuctions was pretty lengthy this time. Am I worrying over nothing?
11 people like this
21 responses
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
3 Apr 07
Yeah, I think that you are worrying a bit too much over nothing, but its totally understandable. All dogs are different and handle the anesthetic differently, he may be just taking a bit longer to get it out of his system. I'm sure that he would be ok in the next day or so, he'll be back to his old self in no time.
4 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Thanks for the response, you're probably right and he'll be back to his spastic self in a day or two.
2 people like this
@bluebird1956 (404)
• Canada
3 Apr 07
All animals (and people) react differently to the anesthetic. I would definitely suggest keeping an eye on him but I wouldn't worry about it. I had one cat that looked and acted as though she would die after been fixed but she came out of it just fine and is still around to annoy me 16 years later.
Most of my cats and dogs have not had any reactions but occasionally one will react. I don't know if it could be a slight allergy or if the dosage was a bit strong or what. I just made certain that I kept a watchful eye on them and let them hear my voice in soft, reassuring tones. I also kept them warm with a blanket and fed them water with a spoon if they were thirsty.
Things will be back to normal soon. Congratuslations on being a responsible pet owner.
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I dunno what it is about this dog, he's like one of my kids to me. We bonded instantly at the pound and I worry about him more than my other dog. I'm hoping he'll be fine, and he probably will be, I've just never seen a pet respond like this. Thanks bluebird.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45597)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Apr 07
Maybe he's depressed about losing his "doggiehood". Maybe he wanted to give you grandpups... (Just kidding.) Hope he's doing better by now.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I would be finding out from vet just what they did to your dog I have had dogs spaded and went back and go them with in a couple of hours with very little instruction .You know how other dogs have acted so I would be asking questions forn=m the doc
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I'm sure he'll be fine. Some pets bounce right back from anesthetic while others take a bit. Keep an eye on him. Make sure he's not getting hurt, that he's not passing out, and that he is drinking a bit of water so he doesn't get dehydrated. He might be a bit off balance but that happens with humans as well after anesthia. You just want to make sure he's not injuring himself. We've had dogs and cats take a day to be back to normal while others are fine from the moment we picked them up.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
3 Apr 07
It happens than some dogs have a different reaction to anesthesia and are lethargic for quite a while but if he is still acting that way after 24 hours then I would insist the vet check him out.
2 people like this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I dont think you are over reacting. It is good to worry about your pet and make sure everything is alright, you did the right thing to call the vet and ask questions. Even though your other dogs didnt behaive this way, maye your dog is just acting differently because he has a different way of handling things, like people do. But dont completely ignore it if it doesnt go away!
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
3 Apr 07
The way I see it, you can't worry over nothing. If you are worried than there is something for you to worry about. Sometimes our worry is a little too much, sometimes it is right on, and sometimes not enough. Anyway, the dog that I got from the animal shelter was spade before I could bring her home and she acted alot like that. I too was really worried about her, but when I got home the next day I quickly realized she was okay. The chewed up toys gave it away.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Thanks jchampany. He's been home over 24 hours now and doing just fine. I have noticed he is a little mellowed out though, which I hear is normal. He's been very snuggly with me and the kids, so at least I know he doesn't hate me for it.
1 person likes this
@winky73 (1404)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I would not worry to much about it....unless he starts vomiting.Some dogs react very strongly to the anesthetic.When my Boxer went in to be spayed she was like that for hours after her surgery...my Doberman on the other hand was back to normal within 1 hour after we picked him up from the vet.Just keep a close eye on him and watch for any signs other then the normal walking around like he's drunk.If he doesn't start eating by the next day....definately call your vet back.For right now it's best if he doesn't eat or drink a lot.....because that can upset his stomach.
It's okay to be concerned and like I said....keep an eye on him....but I'm sure he will be just fine.
1 person likes this
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I think he'll be fine. Of course you're gonna worry becasues he's like your baby, but he's gonna be fine. When we had our puppy neutered he kept fallng face first in his water dish. It's probably just happenening until the anesthetic wears off which wo't be too much longer hopefully.
@5000ml (1923)
• Belgium
3 Apr 07
Every animal reacts differently to anesthetic, for example my cat was a bit more sleepy after he had been spayed, but I've known cats to be completely groggy and out of it for several days afterwards, it really depends. I understand your concern completely though, I feel the same way about my little guy :)
1 person likes this
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
3 Apr 07
When I had my dog neutered he was very lethargic for the first couple of days, he didn't want to eat or drink either and he stumbled around as well the first day. he will be fine. I know how you must be worried, I was too. I thought the same thing as well. Don't worry so much, every dog is different in how they react to that kind of surgery. So just be patient. If it hasn't changed in a couple of days, I would give the vet a call again. Then I would worry, but for now just be patient and let nature take its course!
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Dogs are just like people. My daugher works in a vet hospital and has commented to me that some dogs come out of the anesthesia quickly with no problems while others will come out in a real stupor and not feel so great. People do the same. My sister cannot handle anesthesia at all and I come out with a motion sickness thing where I barf if not medicated for it. It's the same for animals.
@theproperator (2429)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Everyone responds to anesthetic differently. My cat was pretty out of it for 12 hours after I brought him home from getting neutered. He would go over to the food bowl but then not eat when I filled it.
Actually, now that I think about it, when I had anesthetic to have my wisdom teeth out, I was horribly sick afterwards and couldn't keep food down for two days. I made out fine, though, so I hope that is some consolation to you and your puppy.
It can just take longer to work out of ones system than others. You should still feel free to call the vet again if you still have concerns, though. Better safe than sorry.
1 person likes this
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
3 Apr 07
For now ust keep an eye on your dog. If he gets much worse then you need to get him to a vet. He could be having an allergic reaction to the anesthetic he was given.
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
3 Apr 07
I think you are all animals react differently to being put under and having the work done. It might also be mad at you for having the family jewels cut off. lol
If he still like that in a day or two then i would be concerned All mine acted weirdly after being neutered or spayed.
1 person likes this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
3 Apr 07
I'm sure your dog will be fine. Different dogs react differently to the anesthetic is all.
At least the Vet gave you a list of instructions, and honestly, the longer the better I think.
I'm sure your dog just isn't feeling too good after being through surgery like that. He'll probably be feeling a little woozy is all and he'll be back to his usual self in a day or two.
@Impervious (1147)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Like people dogs respond to meds and sedation differently. While I can take two percocetts and still be in pain and wide awake one puts my wife on her but. The same is true for dogs. I know that when I brought my cat home recently from the same procedure he was stumbling all over the place. It really was kind of comical although I felt bad for him. My solution was to return him to his cage for a couple of more hours and after that he was fine.
Now that some time has passed I hope that you have seen improvements. If you have used this same vet for your other animals I would simply chalk this up to your dogs sensitivity to the sedation.
