Specialist Neutered; Dead 4 days later!

[Goldie12]

Hello everyone, I’m so cross/upset. My one year boy Fudge went to the vets on Monday to be neutered, yesterday morning his head swelled up and he was very lethargic. Took him straight to vets who said it was probably something he ate abd nothing to do with the surgery. He was prescribed antibiotics and anti inflammatories. He didn’t survive the night!
Since the surgery he hasn’t been anywhere except his hutch, hasn’t been given anything different to eat. How can it not be to do with his op? Do the vets have any responsibility here? They have had £145 out of me this week and won’t acknowledge that it was related to the surgery.

 

[PoppyFloss]

Poor you you must miss him very much.

 

[PigglePuggle]

I'm very sorry that you have lost your boy, neutering is usually a very safe operation, though there are always risks associated with any surgical procedure and usually when consenting to the neutering you sign a form saying you understand and consent to the associated risks.
What you are describing sounds very unusual and not something I've ever heard of as a post-op complication, neither you nor the vet could possibly have anticipated this outcome... it must be a dreadful shock and of course you are very upset about this, but neither you nor the vet is to blame.
Possibly your boy had a very unusual inflammatory/allergy response to something, such things can happen very rarely, my own piggy Tallulah had an awful reaction to her sutures after routine abscess removal surgery, but this really isnt anything that a vet or pet owner could ever anticipate unfortunately, its the sort of thing that might happen once in 1000 surgeries or even less often than that. So sorry for your loss, but there really isnt anyone to blame here except perhaps your poor piggy's immune system going a bit mad in a very unexpected way x

 

[PoppyFloss]

I'm very sorry that you have lost your boy, neutering is usually a very safe operation, though there are always risks associated with any surgical procedure and usually when consenting to the neutering you sign a form saying you understand and consent to the associated risks.
What you are describing sounds very unusual and not something I've ever heard of as a post-op complication, neither you nor the vet could possibly have anticipated this outcome... it must be a dreadful shock and of course you are very upset about this, but neither you nor the vet is to blame.
Possibly your boy had a very unusual inflammatory/allergy response to something, such things can happen very rarely, my own piggy Tallulah had an awful reaction to her sutures after routine abscess removal surgery, but this really isnt anything that a vet or pet owner could ever anticipate unfortunately, its the sort of thing that might happen once in 1000 surgeries or even less often than that. So sorry for your loss, but there really isnt anyone to blame here except perhaps your poor piggy's immune system going a bit mad in a very unexpected way x

It must be awful for you, but operations sometimes do go wrong and it is nobody’s fault.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry you’ve lost Fudge, sending hugs at such a sad time x
Sleep tight little man

 

[artcasper]

Sorry for your loss, poor Fudge... Such a shock for you x

 

[teddymouse]

I understand what you are feeling, l in the past have lost 2 husboars, Pineapple 2yrs,and Yarrow age about 4yrs within days of their,. Like as been said ,could have been something in their makeup, some sail though, others a little under the weather for a day or two, it's hard,you blame the vet, yourself for having it done, but you know you were doing it for the best reasons, my last 2 Hermie and Peridot, were ok,back to eating as though nothing had happened, be kind to yourself. Angie x

 

[alpacasqueak]

I’m so sorry you lost your little man, what a shock for you x
I lost my rat Oscar in the same way but the same day of his surgery, he had a testicular tumour so had to have the op but I felt so guilty I’d put him through it. My other rat that had the same surgery (and was older) was absolutely fine after his.
I’m so sorry for your loss, big hugs.
Sleep tight Fudge xx

 

[Goldie12]

Thanks all. You are right, it does just happen. I just feel frustrated that the vet won’t associate it with the surgery at all. Thank you all for your kind words. X

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone, I’m so cross/upset. My one year boy Fudge went to the vets on Monday to be neutered, yesterday morning his head swelled up and he was very lethargic. Took him straight to vets who said it was probably something he ate abd nothing to do with the surgery. He was prescribed antibiotics and anti inflammatories. He didn’t survive the night!
Since the surgery he hasn’t been anywhere except his hutch, hasn’t been given anything different to eat. How can it not be to do with his op? Do the vets have any responsibility here? They have had £145 out of me this week and won’t acknowledge that it was related to the surgery.

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry about your loss and in the way it happened. Unfortunately only a post mortem examination (if necessary by a different vet) may be able to get to the bottom of it and give you some answers - but it will be even more money.

What you are describing is not a post-op reaction I have come accross before but I concur with you that it sounds a bit unlikely to be a reaction to his normal food. However, it still not necessarily directly be linked to the neutering operation but the operation could have been a contributing factor in some way or other.
Has your vet checked for a potential insect bite etc? We can unfortunately only guess as much as you do. Of course you want answers - but they are always near impossible to get in this kind of situation.
Fierce anger is a very normal reaction when there is a more obvious culprit than yourself and the usual feelings of guilt and failure are being turned outwards and not inwards. It is more difficult when it is an elective surgery and not an emergency one.

You can write a formal letter of complaint to the clinic manager/owner.

PS: Please be kind to yourself; remind yourself that you wanted to give Fudge the best and happiest of lives - and we can all only strive for this but it is not necessarily guaranteed. There is nothing you have done wrong.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Winniepeg]

So sorry to learn the sad news about Fudge. It must be a terrible shock . My heart goes out to you x