Reaction from light sedation?

• 08-08-2007 2:31 PM

  nwmountaingirl Joined on 10-11-2006 NW Washington Posts 167 Points 0

  Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact I took Tonka into the surgeon Thursday to have his leg x-rayed and they said they'd give him a light sedation (injection). That night he had diahrrea, and still does 6 days later. Not only that, but Sunday had a fever of 105. Monday his leg swelled up, and yesterday he licked a spot of fur from his leg until it was raw and oozing. Today I took him to another vet who is again sedating him so they can clean the wound on his leg and then will be putting him on 2 different types of antibiotics for the diahrrea and the leg. Poor fella has been in a downward spiral since the x-rays and he was perfectly fine before the x-rays. Several vets have told me there are no side effects from a light sedation (injection), and that the diahrrea is caused from stress and the leg swelling and sore are caused from other problems. So I just wanted to check to see if anyone here has ever had their dog experience a side effect from being lightly sedated? Laddie Shepherd Mix Oct 1998- Oct 2006 ::: Tonka Lab/Chow DOB: Nov 2002

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• 08-14-2007 10:30 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  nwmountaingirl Joined on 10-11-2006 NW Washington Posts 167 Points 0

  RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact Update: Any advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way, my normal vet diagnosed the sore on Tonka's leg as a lick granuloma, but the new vet said it was most likely because the tech missed the vein when giving the injection. The tissue was dissolving like something out of the movie the fly. Not only was it oozing, but if it was touched it was gush fluid and blood. The new vet said just by looking at it there was no way it was a lick granuloma. I took Tonka in for an x-ray to PS Hospital and he had a bad reaction to the sedation. The vet told me he thinks the tech missed the vein or that Tonka experienced an allergic reaction to the combination of drugs used to sedate him. Its been heart wrenching to see Tonka suffer in so much pain, although he is getting better, we still have a ways to go before he#%92s fully recovered. I had been in contact with the office where the x-rays were preformed, but they have been of little help. My normal vet was on vacation but had a substitute there who charged me to come in and only gave me advice, and didn#%92t even exam Tonka. The next day I was forced to find a new vet and luckily found one that diagnosed the problem and has been able to help a great deal. I have spent over $1,000 excluding the costs of x-rays. BUT money isn#%92t the issue. It#%92s the pain and suffering of my dog, and the distress I#%92ve had to endure. I feel like I should do something, but I don#%92t know what.   Do I send a letter to my normal vet explaining how I have always valued, trusted and respected him, but how disappointed I was with the lack of care Tonka received from the substitute vet? I don#%92t want to burn any bridges, but who he has covering for him while he#%92s on vacation is a representation of his business, so I#%92m not quite sure how to approach this. Do I contact the surgeon again and give them an update on Tonka#%92s condition? Should I file a complaint with the Veterinary Board of Governors? Should I seek legal advice from an animal attorney? Should I just suck it up and move on? [font="tahoma"][size="4"][/size][/font] Laddie Shepherd Mix Oct 1998- Oct 2006 ::: Tonka Lab/Chow DOB: Nov 2002

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• 08-15-2007 10:07 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330

  RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact nwmountaingirl: Update: Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would start by letting the surgeon and your regular vet know exactly what happened.  Give them a timeline of each vet visit/call and the resulting "diagnosis".  Let them know how disappointed you are that (1)  it took so long to get Tonka properly treated and (2)  so many vets insisted that "there are no side effects from a light sedation (injection)" since that is obviously not always true.   Emphasize that: nwmountaingirl: The vet told me he thinks the tech missed the vein or that Tonka experienced an allergic reaction to the combination of drugs used to sedate him. That will effect any future medical treatment.   Unless an allergic reaction can be ruled out, you probably have no grounds for any legal action or even a Board complaint.   I would seriously consider requiring gas sedation in the future.  I am not a vet, so I don't know if even gas sedation requires a preliminary injection of some sort.   I am glad that Tonka is doing better.  Antibiotics can mess up the digestive tract, so he needs to be on a probiotic (give at least 2 hours after the antibiotic).  You may need a non-diary probiotic if the antibiotic is sensitive to dairy.    Plain (not spiced), canned pumpkin would help to firm up the stool.  Start with a Tbs for a large dog or a tsp for a small dog.   Example probiotics: Fastrack(link) Canine Microbial Supplement (discount products link) Fastrack Canine Microbial Gel Natren(link) Canine Dophilus yogurt with live culture(s) Natren Healthy Start System non-dairy powder capsules Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls   The last three are for people, too.   ETA:  Yogurt given to a dog should have no artifical sweetners - like Nutrasweet.

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• 08-19-2007 2:10 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 1,454 Points 0

  RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact gas sedation does not require an injection first.  It does help, as the gas has an unpleasant odor, and if not slightly sedated first, they can sometimes panic a bit.  However, it can and is often done without, with no ill effects.  It's done in dogs with health issues where they want to be sure they can wake them up right away (since the gas is exhaled pretty rapidly out of the body), or if they've had issues with the injectable drugs.  And many times it's also done with cats, particularly if they're feisty and getting a vein would be dangerous for all involved

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• 08-24-2007 4:51 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  nwmountaingirl Joined on 10-11-2006 NW Washington Posts 167 Points 0

  RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact ORIGINAL: janet_rose I am glad that Tonka is doing better.  Antibiotics can mess up the digestive tract, so he needs to be on a probiotic (give at least 2 hours after the antibiotic).  You may need a non-diary probiotic if the antibiotic is sensitive to dairy.    Plain (not spiced), canned pumpkin would help to firm up the stool.  Start with a Tbs for a large dog or a tsp for a small dog. Thank you Janet for the advice. Tonka just finished the last of his antibiotics, but I will definetely file this information for future reference. He sometimes gets yogurt as a treat and he loves it! I did in fact contact an Animal Attorney who gave me some free advice. A coincidence or not, but the surgeon contacted me two days later to check on Tonka. I point blank asked him if the hospital's insurance would cover the accrued costs. The surgeon is just as clueless about what happened and seemed sincere and concerned. He asked to see Tonka and that I bring copies of the receipts next week. We'll see what happens. Laddie Shepherd Mix Oct 1998- Oct 2006 ::: Tonka Lab/Chow DOB: Nov 2002

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• 08-24-2007 5:29 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  nwmountaingirl Joined on 10-11-2006 NW Washington Posts 167 Points 0

  RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact ORIGINAL: grab01 gas sedation does not require an injection first.  It does help, as the gas has an unpleasant odor, and if not slightly sedated first, they can sometimes panic a bit.  However, it can and is often done without, with no ill effects.  It's done in dogs with health issues where they want to be sure they can wake them up right away (since the gas is exhaled pretty rapidly out of the body), or if they've had issues with the injectable drugs.  And many times it's also done with cats, particularly if they're feisty and getting a vein would be dangerous for all involved Tonka took the gas really well, every day for 5 days, except for one which he fought against, then he experienced a reverse sneeze until he awoke again. It was sort of funny actually, almost like he looked forward to a little power nap. I think he was sedated all but that one day too. I take him every 4 days now to replace the bandage, but no sedation or gas. I'm just glad we're past that stage and no more drugs! Laddie Shepherd Mix Oct 1998- Oct 2006 ::: Tonka Lab/Chow DOB: Nov 2002

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• 08-24-2007 5:36 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  nwmountaingirl Joined on 10-11-2006 NW Washington Posts 167 Points 0

  RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact Plain (not spiced), canned pumpkin would help to firm up the stool. Start with a Tbs for a large dog or a tsp for a small dog. You know I tried the pumpkin for two or three days, but it didn't help. The substitute vet I took him to suggested Kaopectate, but I only gave him one dose, and it was the next day I had taken him to the new vet who gave him an injection of antibiotics. Not sure what cured it, but by the time he came home that evening he was already doing much better. My pharmacist told me Kaopectate is junk. He said rice works better than pumpkin. I've never heard that. I know rice is gentle on the tummy, but I swear by pumpkin when it comes to firming the stool. Hmm...   Laddie Shepherd Mix Oct 1998- Oct 2006 ::: Tonka Lab/Chow DOB: Nov 2002

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• 08-28-2007 1:55 AM

  In reply to nwmountaingirl

  lisat Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 8 Points 0	RE: Reaction from light sedation? Reply Contact If a dog has an MDR1 mutation, there are some drugs that they can react to, even in small doses.
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