Are vets responsible to advise of risks for anethesia

askadis · New member Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

My 10 year old Burmese had a diagnosed heart mummer that was diagnosed 7 years ago with an echocardiogram. At that time I was advised to avoid anesthesia. 5 weeks ago another vet told me she needed her teeth cleaned and I explained my concern with anesthesia. The vet said that there was an alternative procedure that wasn't quite a thorough, but that did not require anesthesia. This vet recommended an echocardiogram and told me their office had the best cardiologist in the state. My husband to my cat in for the echocardiogram and repeatedly asked if there was risk. The cardiologist told him there was NO risk. Based on this advice, we had the procedure done. Within one week my cat began displaying symptoms of cardiomyopothy which we didn't recognize. Within another week she suffered congestive heart failure and was in ICU at Angell Memorial Hospital. For three weeks the cardiologist at Angell tried to balance her mediation, but she deteriorated rapidly. Yesterday she stopped eating and drinking, moved away from me when I tried to hold her and didn't respond when I called her name. This was a cat that slept in my arms and always came when I called. In addition, Nina had been a chatty cat and after the surgery she did not make a sound. I couldn't bear to watch her suffer and had her euthenized. I am heartbroken and can't stop crying. If the cardiologist had told us there was any risk, even a small one, we would not have had her anethesized. Whether or not she had underlying heart disease, it seems very obvious that the anesthesia triggered the severe symptoms. Does a veterinarian have the responsiblity to advise owners of risks? I must admit that I am furious with the cardiologist becuase 6 weeks ago my cat was fine and now she is dead because we took action on his bad advice. Nothing can undo the loss of my beloved Nina, but at least I want to have them pay for the $2,000 I spent with them that resulted in her illness and and $3,000 I spent at Angell Memorial Hospital (a wonderful place) trying to maintain her quality of life for the 3 short weeks after her heart failure. I am looking for advice as to how to proceed since vets seem to behave like doctors and protect one another. Any suggestion would be welcome. I need to do something to channel my grief and believe this cardiologist should in some small way pay for what he did.

halaroo · Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject:

I'm really sorry for your loss. Can you call around to other vets in the area and ask their advice on your situation? I know that I have had to read and sign a legal disclaimer before any surgical procedures are performed on my cats. It outlined the risks of the procedure and the anesthetic. If you were not properly advised of the risks before the procedure, you might want to seek the advice of a lawyer on how to proceed. Again, I'm truly sorry for the loss of Nina. I hope time and positive memories will heal your wounds.

Mary_NH · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:43 am Post subject:

I am so sorry for your loss....did they say she needed to have her teeth cleaned for risk of infection?
I ask cause years ago a cat I had also had a nasty heart murmur along with being in renal failure BUT she also had teeth/gum issues.
Chessmind can explain it better but I'll try to recall how it worked
If I didn't get Tammy's teeth cleaned the infection could have affected her heart even more resulting in death BUT getting her teeth cleaned was also a risk due to her heart/kidney problems. so as you can see it was a catch 22 situation BUT I knew this!!! My vet explained it to me each and every time telling me that not having the dental done was nearly as dangerous as getting it done. My logic for doing it was if she were going to go I would rather she went while under anesthesia.
Did your vet do the preanesthesia bloodwork? I would think that might have ruled out some problems. Did they even offer that choice to you?
I am truly sorry for your loss and I think your vet is a heel for charging you but I bet you will have to pay. He'll probably say that even w/out the dental work the cat would have problems due to infected teeth/gums.

askadis · New member Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

thank you for your kind words