SICK BICHON

Question
Hi there,

I've had my bichon for 18 years and I just had to recently put him down. One night he started crying very loudly for about 30 seconds and then he suddenly passed out and rolled out of my arms. I thought he had died, but in less than a minute his eyes opened and he started breathing slowly but heavily. I rushed him to our vet, who took x rays but could not find anything wrong with him. She told me he had a heart murmur which I was already aware of since he had been living with it for 4 years and was on medication. Other than that she said he was breathing fine and there was nothing wrong with his blood work. she advise me to take him to the animal hospital because he was distraught and because he tongue had gone blue. So we rushed to the hospital and the first thing they told us was that he had air under his skin. They said the vet must have caused this since my dog was  not in a fight or had fallen. they said the other vet may have caused this air under the skin when she took blood from him. The next day I went to see my dog and we was barking constantly, it never stopped, the doctors said he had been doing it all day. He was on some pain meds that's all. The next day the doctors noticed bruising all over his chest and blood in his gums and were assuming it was internal bleeding. They also said my dog had dimensia and that was why he was barking that way, and that was the reason why he was walking like he was drunk with his head tilted. We had to put the poor thing to sleep because he was old and very sick and the medical bill was getting unbearable. I am very angry because there were no answers, the veterinarians were constantly guessing and I payed over 4 grand to have them watch my dog for 2 days. I was hoping someone would know something about this.

Answer
I know how distressed you are feeling, the loss of a much loved pet and family member is traumatic in any circumstances, however I think your pain is exacerbated due to the intervention of veterinary care.

If his tongue and gums had gone blue that is due to cyanosis a lack of oxygen to his vital organs , that could be caused by stroke, by air in a canula, can also be caused by heart attack.A clot can form and block off vital oxygen to the heart etc. Dogs bark for many reasons in this case yes it is possible the dog was in pain , it would appear if he was walking like a drunk and unable to support his head that he had either suffered a stroke or had a clot , this would give the symptoms you describe.

I am unable to make an official comment on your situation , but I would suggest that a PM was performed to establish why these symptoms occured.

Make a complaint at your vet, or lodge a formal complaint at the treatment with the BVA(UK) or the AVA(USA), they can investigate what happened. You can also take out legal action against the vet alleging negligence, this may bring the matter before the courts and thus force the vet into a position of giving information to you that you dont have at the moment.

I am sorry I can be of no further use, and I really feel for you. I know if it was my dog I would have had a Pm performed by an independent Vet.

If you want info on Attorneys/Lawyers we have a comprehensive list on our health site www.eurobichons.com

Best wishes