Neurological complications following GA

Re: Neurological complications following GA

Rudolph — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:14:59 GMT

Update on my cat - I had very helpful information from the neurologist - thanks Mark! - saying that this sounds like a recognised condition called Global Brain Ischaemia, a rare but recognised complication of anaesthesia. Although it looks awful, a near-complete recovery is possible, sometimes blindness remains. So, I thought things were looking up...

However, late yesterday evening, the cat became severely dyspnoeic with marked pulmonary oedema. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't save her. I suspect a pulmonary thromboembolism - I guess the two incidents (neurological and respiratory) were likely related.

I think the odds were against me with this cat. We go into these things with the best of intentions but it doesn't always go our way.

Thanks again everyone for your help and advice.

Re: Neurological complications following GA

HERETIC — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:39:52 GMT

I once had an elderly dog go deaf after an apparently uneventful anaesthetic. Its hearing never came back and the owner never forgave me and would now refuse to have dentistry done on another aged animal. Alas all those dogs which didnt go deaf dont count!

Re: Neurological complications following GA

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:10:50 GMT

Easier said than done, but just add up all the GAs you've done in the last year which went well. You will still feel awful about this one, but hopefully less so.

Wynne

Re: Neurological complications following GA

Rudolph — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:26:51 GMT

Thanks for the kind words. I've left a message with the neurologist at our local referral centre so hopefully he can help a bit.

It's nice to know I'm not alone though. Thank you :)

Re: Neurological complications following GA

Glen McIntosh — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:40:36 GMT

You have my sympathies. This sort of thing will happen to us all at some point (especially older cats), certainly it has happened to me. Sometimes it is a result of our mistakes, most times it is not. But your GA and surgery sounds textbook quality and my first thought is that this cat has had a thromboembolism to its brain - it is certainly a candidate even with the preop clinical findings you have described. I am definately not a neurologist but whatever the underlying cause I would give this cat at least 1 week barring deterioration and providing it is comfortable. Would be worth checking BP also.

I really believe that our best learning experiences come from our mistakes (which I doubt this case is) and other cases with poor outcomes. But there is no getting around the reality that you do feel like crap when these things happen, but you do have to get back on the horse etc.

But then again, there is always the office job and I agree it does sound mighty attractive some days.

Good luck with this, I hope it turns out ok.