Our kitten died during neuter procedure -- what are the statistics?

I, too, am searching the internet today to find out what the actual statistics are about death during spay/neuter procedures.  We just lost our 7 month old Ramses yesterday within 10 minutes of his procedure. The vet did what she could to save him, but it wasn't possible.  I was especially close to this cat so it has hit me hard.  I had never ever heard of death during this procedure or immediately after it, so I was really shocked. 

I will keep searching for statistics; I don't know why, but I want to know if there are any real numbers to know. 

We will miss our Ramses so much!!!!

I found this information on wikipedia:  In one study the risk of anesthetic-related death (not limited to neutering procedures) was estimated at 0.05% for healthy dogs and 0.11% for healthy cats.

0.11%  That's approximately 1/10th of 1%

That is very very low.

Poor Ramses... I knew he was special, but I guess he was more special than any of us realized

I am very sorry for your loss of Ramses. There is always a risk with anesthesia, for humans as well as animals, but I'm sure it was a total shock with such a routine procedure. Hugs.

Thank you. It's easier today.  Mostly sadder at night because he slept on my neck most nights, nearly choking me, but purring in my ear. It was so sweet.  Every once in while he'd decide to bathe my face at night! Ick but sweet of him.  Here he is in Mid January getting one last romp in the artificial tree before I took it down.

I am so sorry.    My Marshmallow died within a couple of weeks of being neutered.  I've always wondered it was related; he developed neurological problems so soon after and he was young.  The vet at first thought he'd been hit by a car because he had symptoms of traumatic head injury.   (But he was indoors only.)  His pupils were unequal, and I had never noticed that before.  His labs only made the situation more mysterious.  (Sorry to get off topic, but it puzzles me to this day.)  The vet wanted an autospy, but I couldn't stand the thought.  Please accept my condolences.  Thank you for sharing the picture.  Ramses was beautiful.    

I just want to say I am so sorry about the sudden loss of your kitten. My heart goes out to you...

Jlc20m

Very sorry, this does happen very occasionally but when it's your kitten...

But please folks, don't let this put anyone off getting their kitten neutered.  The vast majority of kittens sail through with no problems at all, and of those that have problems it's mostly picking at stiches.  The number that become seriously ill, let along pass, is vanishingly small.

I am so sorry this happened.  Unfortunately there is no way to get the risk from anesthetic down to zero.  Anesthetics are safer today and blood work done before a procedure can detect some potential problems but there is still a small risk.  The risks from a cat not being neutered are far greater both from testicular cancer and the roaming and fighting with other males over females in heat.  An adult intact male often develops behavior problems that make them a difficult pet.

I also wanted to add my sincere sympathy. So sorry! It is such a shock to loose a kitten that way. My own thinking as a physician (which y is vastly differant than humans) is that sometimes underlying unknown factors will increase the risk of a kitten or cat undergoing surgery. For ex, when you have any procedure, a health care professional will ask you a plethora of q 's. Same in dentistry. Kittens cannot tell us and unless a clinics does a complete workhouse -which I am sure they did if they are good when you brought her for her first vet visit (ie for vaccinations and general diagnosis) . However if she is a rescue and this possibly was not done, some cats have heart murmurs and some even react very badly to the anesthesia tho ptopofol is the a of choice for situations where a variety of unknowns exist. Also if a Kitty is very scared abed this even occurs with children tho we can postpone igf possible -if elective surgery. So the stats may have Bern higher. She might also have had an unknown infection - or who knows? You can only know w a necropsy which is rather expensive and more trauma for you. Please take care!!!!

Workhouse = workup. Drat auto correct.

This breaks my heart and I'm sorry to hear about. [color= rgb(34, 34, 34)]Zoë got very, very sick after her spay and I thought she was going to pass on. Luckily with some adjustments, we helped her through it. I am glad it's starting to get better, but I feel for you still. [/color]

CRussell, I am so sorry for the loss of your cat. I hope you never have this experience again. You might want to post a tribute to your cat in our Crosing the Bridge Forum where our members can pay their respects and express their sympathy to you. I am sorry your first post as a Cat Site member had to be here. I hope you will stick around and enjoy the other forums.

As is the case with any medical procedure, there is a certain amount of risk every time.  It's true for people, and it's true for our pets.  The benefits of the procedures, whether it be filling a tooth for a human or neutering or vaccinating a cat outweigh the dangers, but the dangers are still there, and if you are the human or pet who loses the lottery, it's a tragedy for you and those around you.

Your little guy looks like a real sweetheart.  I know he has left a hole in your heart, a hole no other cat can ever fill perfectly, but don't let that make you close your heart to another one who probably needs you right now.  (I say this speaking, of course, as a volunteer at a city animal shelter.)
 

I wanted to add that I hope my comments didn't come across as anti-neuter.  Even though I wonder if neutering was a factor in the death of my kitten, I believe without a doubt that it is the right thing to do.  It was a terrible tragedy what happened to Ramses, and my heart is with you.  I've known people who didn't survive surgery, because as others have said, there are always risks associated with anesthesia.  It's sad and shocking and rare.  I really feel for you with something so unexpected to happen.  I wish I had the proper words to convey my sympathy.  I'm just very sorry for your loss.   

sorry about your loss R.I.P Ramses

i heard there is a test for your cat or dog before a surgery to see if they can handle the anesthetic it has to do with the kidneys and liver they mostly test a pet that never had it before or a senior or ones with bad health i had it done for my 11yr old dachshund to see if he could have his teath clean and yes he could handle it they was shocked how good his liver was and kidneys <except the infection he had he took antibiotic for a week before the teeth cleaning

I know your pain. We recently rescued a kitty up a tree in our neighborhood. Took him to the Vet to be checked out and get vaccines. He was predicted to be around 4 - 5 months.

after 3 weeks, we took him in to be neutered (10-30-13) I recieved a call at work that he "Sky" had a reaction to the profonal and hemmorhaged to death, and there was nothing they could do. I had even written that he was a new kitty, and I wasn't sure of any alergic reactions. I thought that this would raise a concern about precautions. Guess he just wasn't meant to live. Of course I blame myself, wish that maybe I had waited longer. Oh well, he was loved and a happy little fella the short time he was with us, it just doesn't make it any easier. He was like the most perfect kitty, with beautiful blue eyes which is why we named him Sky.

The Dr. said this was rare, and she had never had this to happen. Can this be prevented can it be prevented.

I am so sorry this happened.  Unfortunately there are a small percentage of kitties and humans for that matter who have a bad reaction to anesthetic.  Some of those reactions are severe enough to be fatal.  They can check for things like kidney and liver function to make sure they can handle anesthetic or if special precautions need to be taken but there are those few that react badly for no apparent reason.

I'm so sorry this happened to you and Ramses. It makes me tear up because I don't know how I would manage without my 6 month old Simba. I can only imagine how hard it is. I did lose a 2 month old after just 10 days, and the one thing that will help you get through it is to imagine how happy you made his life during his 7 months and to remember the fun times. Time will help you heal. Try not to dwell on it too much, but also never forget your dear kitty. Best of luck. :3

I lost my favorite kitten yesterday during a neutering procedure, as well.  Grayson was only six months old.  I, too, am searching the Internet to see what the statistics say about kittens dying during the neutering procedure. 

whew...so sorry guys...for your losses... so unexpected..had to be tough...