When dogs die after dental surgery, it is usually not due to the procedure itself, but rather the anesthesia. Small dog breeds that are old or very young are particularly affected. In addition, some breeds are naturally sensitive to anesthetics.
The largest study on the subject to date was carried out on almost 100,000 dogs. The result? On average, one dog dies every 600 anesthesias. [1]
This explains why some dogs can die even with routine scaling or teeth cleaning. A risk that only a few dog owners are aware of.
The anesthesia is usually initiated by “anesthesiologists”. These are specially trained anesthetists. And yet there is always a residual risk that cannot be avoided. [2]
As a dog owner, you should always take this risk into account when making your decision. Below you will learn about the risk factors and how to minimize risks.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
Risk factors
If your dog died after dental surgery, then at least one or more of these risk factors was probably present:
Some dog breeds react more than averagely to anesthetics. This includes all greyhound breeds, some terrier breeds and all brachycephalic dogs.
The latter is the name for all breeds with a flat face and a short muzzle. For example, the pug, the German boxer and all types of bulldogs.
These four-legged friends can overreact to even small amounts of anesthetic. Severe breathing problems, seizures and hypothermia can occur here. [3]
Before an operation, the dog is usually thoroughly examined. In almost all cases, blood is taken and the blood values are examined in the laboratory for any abnormalities.
In addition, the vet usually asks about your health history and any allergies. And yet there is still a risk of pre-existing illnesses that cannot be diagnosed.
In practice, this has often led to dogs dying during routine dental operations such as tartar removal or teeth cleaning.
Very small dog breeds are said to have an increased risk during anesthesia. This is because it is much easier for these four-legged friends to overdose.
But very large breeds and especially overweight dogs also have an increased risk of complications. This is also due to difficulties with dosage.
This also explains why veterinarians strongly recommend a normal weight before operating on dogs. In emergencies, overweight dogs are also operated on. [4]
- #4 Lack of monitoring
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), most dogs die after anesthesia rather than during it. So in the waking phase.
The four-legged friend should therefore be constantly monitored during this time. It can become a problem if the operation takes place late in the afternoon.
Because in the evening the staff is often thinner. In addition, veterinary assistants statistically tend to make mistakes more often in the evening than in the early morning. [5]
According to studies, very young dogs die most often from dental surgery and the associated anesthesia. Even very old dogs are at increased risk.
But the reason for this is not age. Rather, it is due to the fact that very young and very old four-legged friends are more likely to have a weakened immune system.
In old dogs, this is primarily due to emerging or existing illnesses. In young four-legged friends it may simply not be fully developed yet. [6]
With every dental operation there is a risk that the dog will die. This also applies to routine tartar removal and teeth cleaning. Very small and sensitive breeds at a young age tend to have the highest risk of complications.
Risk minimization
As a dog owner, you can also reduce the likelihood of such sad events. The following has proven to be effective:
Is dental surgery really necessary? Is the dog's health the top priority? Or is it more of a cosmetic defect that can be avoided? [7]
Neither too much nor too little weight on the dog's hips is healthy. At the same time, this also influences the effectiveness of the anesthetic.
Many dental surgeries, such as the removal of tartar, can literally be easily avoided. There are dental care toys and special treats specifically for this purpose.
If your dog is acting strangely, taking medication, or has had problems in the past, let the vet know.
If dog owners are worried that their dog may die during dental surgery, they can also take action themselves. Preventive dental care and complete openness can help. In addition, every anesthesia should be carefully considered.
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