Merlin got neutered...opinions please!!!

[Gina]

We had an awful day today. I knew there was something wrong by lunch time...the nurse was vague on the phone.
Pat collected him and had a story to tell. Merlin vommited a little on the table during surgery, even though he was fasted. After surgery, while still "out" his bowels opened. When I got him back, he was very sleepy, and filthy. I do not blame my wonderful vet, as he probably wasn't there when Merlin soiled himself. He had to be washed, as per instruction.
He has been very weak all night, culminating in a panic time when his pupils were not dylating, his gums were the colour of his teeth- white! I couldn't find his little heartbeat. Then he stopped breathing; he was limp I was so frightened, I moved his front legs amongst other things, I don't know how really but all of a sudden he took in a huge breath. Ok, so shortly after that he slept on my hot water bottle, on my bed, for about 2 hours, with me watching his belly rise and fall. I'm very worried... he's awake now, and seems fine except his pupils are misty/foggy. What I mean is they look like he has cataracts! He can walk and seems to be more himself right now.

In all I have ten pets, nine of whom were neutered with no complications. Our vet is a wonderful vet, and I did really shop around. He's been looking after our pets for nine years now. I will be calling in the morning to make sure 1. He did the op. 2. who anesethised Merlin? 3. What is the new opacity seen in his pupils?

I'm up the wall, guys....did any of you ever go through similiar or know anything regarding Merlins condition?

I'm speculating with Pat right now that he might be allergic to the type of drugs used, or he was given slightly too much. Right now I am worried about his vision.

[4 feline house]

I wish I could give you technical information, since that's what you asked for, but I don't have any answers to your questions, especially since I don't know if the procedures are the same there in Ireland as they are here - for instance, in the US cat neuters are quick and easy, taking only minutes, since all that is done is removal of the spermatic cord. Therefore, anesthesia is a very short-acting sedative, not involving paralyzation. Complications from and reactions to the anesthesia are very rare. But perhaps in Ireland a full castration is done, which would probably require deeper anesthesia and maybe (but probably not) intubation. Nevertheless, a reaction can still occur. Even then, I can't imagine what would have happened to his eyes. Deep, long anesthesia in humans sometimes requires some kind of eye protection, so I've heard, but a simple neuter surely wouldn't have. The fact that he vomited is not really that big of a deal - in fact, it's expected - which is why they are fasted and thirsted for a period before the surgery.

But, anyway, I'm praying for you and poor little Merlin, and hope he continues to improve. I would be so scared if one of my cats quit breathing! I'm glad you were aware of a technique that would revive him.

[Logan]

Gina,
Please let us know how Merlin is today. Hope he is doing much, much better.
Logan

[Pam]

Gina you are going through every pet lover's nightmare. Each time I have left a pet to be spayed/neutered or go under anesthesia for any reason I have always been uneasy until I get to check back with the vet after the surgery is over. Unfortunately I know of no reason for Merlin to have had such an awful reaction to his surgery but am hoping that very soon he will be totally back to normal. I am just wondering if this is a result of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Please keep us posted as to his recovery which I hope will be very soon and 100%.

[Pam]

Gina I thought I'd relate a story about one of my poodles when she was spayed. I took her in at 5 1/2 months for the surgery and got the call that afternoon that all was OK. Picked her up and brought her home and noticed that her two front bottom teeth were gone!! I immediately called the vet and he had a very nonchalant attitude. Said "It must have happened as she was coming out of the anesthesia. I saw blood in her mouth and figured she bit her tongue. She was also biting on the bars of the cage and probably did it to herself." I asked him why he didn't investigate to see where the blood was coming from and he said she was "in a frenzy." I checked with another vet and they said that dogs do come out of anesthesia strangely sometimes but vet #1 certainly should have investigated further. That was my point exactly! Things happen, but please why didn't he check her when she was bleeding. Needless to say, we changed vets...not because of his incompetence to do the surgery but for his lack of concern to investigate a problem! Hope your vet is more sympathetic to Merlin's problems than my former vet was.

[Meow101]

Eek ! I'm so sorry to hear of Merlin! I don't have any suggestions, except to ask the vet if you haven't already. I'm not a vet, and I've only had two pets my whole life, but I'll do some searching on the Internet for help. I'll be praying for you and Merlin, and I'll post it in a Club message board - they are very nice and will pray for you and Merlin too!
Take care of Merlin.
Mary
** http://www.angelfire.com/al3/sweetsmary/ **

[This message has been edited by Meow101 (edited May 19, 2001).]

[Gina]

It's Sunday, yesterday, I brought Merlin back to the vet. The vet said that Merlin had a rare but significant allergic reaction to the anesthetic. That's it. He was very aplogetic, and wanted to credit our account regarding the op. Merlin has got to have steroid drops put in his eyes twice a day now,his eyes are a little clearer today. The vet says he thinks this is a temporary reaction and Merlin should regain full vision w/in the week. I didn't allow the credit to be put on my account, I feel that Dennis is a good man, a brilliant vet who truly loves animals. He was very concerned for Merlin, and, well, how would he know that there would be any allergy. I don't feel he was at fault.

Over here, neutering can be the removal of the testes, or just the "snip" of the tubes. It depends on the vet, and Dennis gave us the choice. I chose to remove the testes.

Thanks guys for your thoughts and concern, it's heart warming. Today, Merlin is brighter, and his cuddley self, his eyes have become a little less opaque

If you'd like to see my baby, click here: http://pets.burnerkitty.com/3155

[4 feline house]

I'm so glad Merlin is better. And I think you were wise in your dealings with your vet. Give that baby extra hugs and sugars for me!

[Maresche]

Gina, I'm so glad to hear that Merlin will be okay. What a dreadful scare for you and your family, especially Merlin himself. I had a question and was wondering if you or someone else had an answer. You said your vet told you that the allergy was very rare. Do you or anyone else know of a way to test for it? If the reaction is that dramatic, I would think they'd develop a test, right? Maybe I'm thinking too much again. ^_^

[Ben E Gas]

Keep us updated on merlin's progress. we wish him the best.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Maresche -- regarding testing for drug allergies -- I can speak from a human perspective. It is difficult to predict reactions. I am allergic to pencillin yet I took it as a child. In my mid-20's I suddenly developed a severe reaction and have to be very careful. There are other drugs to which I have an unusually intense react -- painkillers and the like. Consequently I avoid medication if at all possible. I've rambled but the point is reaction to chemicals is VERY hard to predict and can change with diet, age, etc.

[Gina]

Edwinas' secatary is quite right. An allergy can manifest over night, also it can disappear just as fast!

Isn't is ironic?! Guess what?! Merlin won "the Best Cat Eyes!" Competition on the pet contest! Woohoo! We are really proud! Rufus came 2nd for "cutest kitten!"

At the moment one eye is clear, but he's still blind in his right eye. It's still opaque! He's showing a bit of attitude lately, so the joke in our house is: he lost his sense of humour when he lost his n**s! Oops, sorry, sorry! Well if you don't laugh you cry, right!

[Gina]

Yoohoo! this is the closest I found re; Merlin & anesthetic contra adictions. "Vickys' letter" and in particular the vets answer to it is particularly important. His method of anesthetic is identical to what Merlin was given. Every day's a school day! do read it.

It's good to know these things!
http://www.vetinfo.com/canesthesia.h...s%20recovering