Expert: Christine Puetz - 6/30/2009

Question
My English Bulldog was five years old.  His teeth and ears needed to be cleaned. I took him to the Vet where they did an EKG before putting him to sleep to perform these task. The Vet called me and said that he didn't know why but my dog had died on the table.  He went on to say that when they woke him he started to come around and then fail over and died.  The Vet thought he might have had a heart attack.  Can you shed any light on this for me.  We suffered a huge lose and heart break with his passing.  Thanks.

Answer
David,

Sorry to hear of  your loss.  

Anytime that a dog (or even a person) is given anesthesia, there is a small risk.  It could be a reaction to the anesthesia.  It is impossible for me to say.

There is nothing your vet could have done.  There is no way to know ahead of time, if this will happen.  It is just a risk that is always there.

Over the years, we have lost one dog from anesthesia.  It is very hard when it happens!!!

Again, I'm really sorry for your loss!!!

Christine Puetz