Hello,
I am so sorry for your loss, this must be devastating.
Can you tell me the results of the necropsy?
How much blood do you think she lost? Was there alot of blood everywhere or small drops through out the house.
Was she able to walk when you took her to the vet?
It seem she could have lost most of her blood--big puddles in about 6 different spots on our carpet. of course some smaller drops mostly large puddles of blood!! no, she had to be carried to car then into vet's office she could not walk at this point..a cutally she had to be carried into house after picking her up from supposedly routine neutoring.
If she lost that much blood it is possible that this was the cause of cardiac arrest.
While spaying(female)is normally a routine surgery there are always risks involved. What is done is the same as in a human female that has a complete hysterectomy.
It is possible that a suture slipped off the uterine horn after surgery and this is where the bleeding was coming from.While this is rare it can happen. We keep all of our spays in the hospital over night so they can be monitored.
With out the results of the necropsy I can not tell you for sure what happened.
If you are not happy with the answers you have received from your vet you have the right to pick her up and have another vet review the necropsy. If this is what you want to do you need to do this quickly.
I would also speak with your vet and see what they feel happened.
Again I am so sorry please know that she is not gone and will watch over you until you meet again at the rainbow bridge.
her vet did say something (after the fact!!) that boxer dogs have a tendacy to have problems with blood clots after surgery. Wonder why he didn't forewarn us of this fact? He is supposed to be the professional and know the right things to do, we paid him for this.
I am not aware of any problems with blood clots associated with the boxer breed after surgery.
Even though they are doctors they are still human and sometimes things happen that may or may not be the fault of the practicing veterinarian.
With this much blood loss I would still be suspicious of a slipped suture. This can be seen during a necropsy. If you are not getting any definitive answers after the necropsy, I would have this reviewed and maybe another necropsy done by an outside veterinarian who will be non biased in this situation.
I was not aware that this occurred last week, it may be to late to have her actually examined. You have every right to a written copy of the necropsy and in most states the law requires that a veterinarian complete all medical records with in 48 hours.
It is normal for the dr doing the necropsy to speak to the regular vet as they must have all medical information that is available.
I have not encountered the problem of professional brotherhood you are worried about and see no reason while a non biased veterinarian would not give a full and honest opinion in this case.
Once you get the results you are still free to have them reviewed by any vet you chose, perhaps a friend or family member has a veterinarian they trust that could look at the reports for you.
If this was a mistake by the veterinarian unfortunately in most states unlike with humans there may be no recourse you can take other then filing a complaint with the medical board.
If your daughter wants to cremate I would go ahead and have this done so that maybe you can begin to heal.
Thank you so very much for being so understanding of all this. Like I said earlier, we are all in a state of shock and grief over our loss of Lexi dog. We will ask for a written report of the necropsy and try to go from there as to what to do next. We wonder if we should get another opinion from a local vet as to her cause of death . The necropsy was supposedly done Monday this week, so we will ask tomorrow for the completed report. Meanwhile, there is the matter of cremation...so unsettling...
Again we appreciate your assistance with us in this
You are so welcome. I think being in a state of shock is well expected in your situation.
Having a second opinion may make this easier to understand and settle your mind.
Try not to let cremation seem so unsettling, I recently also ad my pet of 18 years cremated and his ashes returned to me. He know has his place of honor on our mantle and I have never had any regrets as a part of him remains with me forever. Most companies will return them in a decorative can or wood box. They also have custom urns that can be purchased.
Veterinary Technician
Practicing Veterinary Technician for 23 years. Veterinary Practice Owner, Technician Trainer