Spaying your dog

[Terrry]

I believe in spaying your dogs, but it is done so much now, that people don't seem to realise that it still major surgery. I took my little girl monday to have her fixed, that was the last time that I saw her. She died!!!! They are doing a necropshy to see want caused her death, they are leaning towards a blood clot that formed. I just want everyone to remember that this is surgery, not to be taken lightly. So at this monent I feel like I murdered her, I feel as if the the road to hell is paved with good intentions, , I'm not saying that you shouldn't fix your dogs, but be sure that it absolutly nessarary, I was so worried because of all the hype not to have unwanted pregnancies and have your dog be more healthy and live longer, people need to do what they feel is right for them, I listened to other people and now I no longer have my little girl, her name was Ressie, and she was a long haired chihuahua, she only weighed three pound and I never even thought of breeding her, but I listened to vets and other people saying that I could miss her coming into season and might have an accidental breeding, and that could kill her, so now I don't have to worry about puppies, I'm sorry that I'm am ranting it just that I'm so hurt at the moment, I feel so lost without her, and I feel so guilty, I just want everyone to remember that this is major surgery.

[calgal]

I am so truly sorry this happen. I know how you loved her as you would a child.
You seem to blame the folks that said to spay her, but that isn't fair. They didn't do the operation. This is very rare that something like this happens, but should not in any way stop people from spaying. There are just too many unwanted dogs as a result of not spaying and neutering.
Again, my heart is heavy and I'm in tears over this, but it is in no way the fault of anyone that suggested she be spayed. I will say a prayer for you and your family. I'm so deeply sorry.

[Terrry]

I never said that people shouldn't spay their dog, I just feel that I listened to people who didn't know my circumstances instead of going with my true feelings. I know this is rare, if I'm blaming anyone, it's myself, I took in a really happy little girl, who knew nothing but love in her life, and I feel that I killed her, just to appease other people who seem to know whats best for my dogs. Believe me when I say that I'm not againest spaying and neutering, I'm a responisble owner and I would have never bred her because I cared to much about her and wouldn't have taken any chances with her life in a pregnancy, I do not believe in unwanted puppies, but I listened to people and wanted to do what was right by society and I killed her. I hurt so bad and I miss her so much, these dogs are all I have and now I'm missing one of my children. I can't replace her, and I feel so lost. Thanks for your prayers, I definally need them right now, I just have to get over the guilt that I feel right now. I don't blame anyone but myself.

[Rivsky]

Please don't be too hard on yourself. You were only trying to do the right thing and though it was a tragic way to lose your pet please don't feel it's your fault. As you have said any surgery is major and carries it's own risks.

A similar thing happened to one of my grannies dogs - she had to be put under to have something down with her anal glands but never came home. It too was a clot and that same dog did have trouble during her spay operation with a similar problem. It truly is a heartbreaking way to lose a dog.

Just out of curiosity did the vet discuss with you any risks involved or were any tests carried out beforehand (not that these would have helped with a clot) but was just wondering how vets approach these ops in the US.

[12weimgirl]

That has happened to me before also. it was my brothers dog..

[DogLover8]

How awful. Don't be harsh to yourself. Quite frankly the risks of spaying and neutering are ignored by many.

[Cassiepeia]

I'm so terribly sorry you lost Ressie. But it's not your fault, nor is the fault of the people who recommended spaying. It was the responsible thing to do and what happened was rare and unfortunate.
If she had needed an operation for anything else (c-section for example), perhaps it would have happened then too?

A spay, as you said, is a major operation and people should be aware of it but I'd never tell anyone not to go ahead and do it and despite the risks I would never not have my own dog go through it.

Keep hold of all those memories you have of Ressie and think of the joy you had with her rather than the pain of losing her. She was lucky to have you and you were lucky to have her.

Cass.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can only echo what everyone else here has said.

Unfortunately, there are risks involved with spaying/neutering, but they are often times over looked I think. Your vet should have discussed both positive and negatives before you went ahead with the surgery. If he did, that's good, and it is nobody's fault.

Don't be so hard on yourself. It is not your fault. You did what you thought was best, and unfortunately it turned into something tragic. I hope they can find out what happened. Please let us know once you do. I'd be interested to hear what happened.

[Novel]

Terry, I feel for your loss. It is a scary thing to put our pets through this surgery but it is absolutely necessary. You have stated in the past that you raise chihuahuas, and you know the risk that you put them through when you breed them. It is unfortunate that she has died, but, this world is not perfect, and as hard as it may seem, the surgery was the right thing to do, despite the horrible outcome. I pray that this does not keep you from spaying your other pets in thr future. The clot, if that was what it was, could have formed at any time, or could have been a preview of what the future may have held, or it could have been completely random. I don't believe anyone is at fault... and although I am sorry for your loss, I do not want anyone to walk away from this thread and not spay or neuter their pet... because as far as solutions go, that is still the best one we have.

[shandoggy1]

I am so sorry for the loss of your baby I have to say that their is a risk for everything in life and that includes both being put under anestesia for humans and pets.....It is unfortunate and rare for that to happen but it can happen. Just think if she ever got pyometra or mammory cancer and then she would have had to of been operated on then.....don't blame yourself and I hope this incident doesn't prevent you from neutering and spaying in the future. Take care

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your heart heals soon, and that'll you'll be able to overcome the feelings of guilt.

[Pearlulm]

I can't add a whole lot...just wanted to say that I am sorry for your loss.

[wee mama]

I understand how you feel. If it were me I'd be thinking things like, maybe I should have waited longer to have the spaying done, this just isn't fair, I'm the one who took her, she didn't have a choice, she didn't know what was going on etc.
Ressie's death was not your fault. Sometimes things happen in life that we cant understand. Hearing about your loss has helped me realize some things in my life. I lost my dog Lenny, had to put him down, he was 11 years old. I had 11 years with him, though. I feel so sad for you and I think it is worse for you in many ways than it has been for me. If you need someone to talk to please do talk to me. But please don't blame yourself. Ressie would not want you to be sad. I am saying some prayers for you today.
Wee mama and Willy

[Swiftwind]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that! Vets have to be extra careful to not over-administer anasthesia to the small breeds of dog. It's quite risky for any small dog to have a big operation. Whether it was the blood clot that caused her passing, or something else, you shouldn't blame yourself as you did nothing wrong.