Kelly Aber asked 4 weeks ago
Why My French Bulldog Died Hours After C-Section?
"Stormi" My 2 years old French bulldog had a C-section on the veterinarian's paperwork it said ovario hysterectomy at 12:01 introduced her puppies at 2:00 p.m.
I picked her up at 3:17pm on their paperwork they said they monitored her for the following 2 hours from 201 to 401.
Bulldog C-Section Anesthetics Bleeding Question
They use the anesthetic acepromazine which I do believe cause the excessive bleeding.
C-Section Cause of Death
At 4:20 p.m. I was rushing stormy back to the emergency hospital and by 4:30 my dog had died in the car and the vet said that that the cause was bleeding or shock, or blood clot, or septic.
Please help me with an answer I also am suffering and I just want Justice for her
"Stormi Mom & Family
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 4 weeks ago
French Bulldog C-Section with Spay Cause of Death Answer
Dear Stormi’s Mom and Family,
My heartfelt condolences. I am truly sorry for your loss. 💔
Important note:
While we cannot bring Stormi back, we can honor her by sharing lessons. Nothing below is meant to criticize or judge. My only goal is to educate and empower our bulldog community.
I strongly encourage reading my Spay, BOAS article and bulldog anesthesia risk & safety, articles, as they explain these topics in more depth.
How To Secure A Safe French Bulldog C-Section?
Planning is everything. A successful outcome requires careful preparation.
French Bulldog C-Section Planning Must Do
The essentials MUST-DO are:
#1. BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) Your First Priority
BOAS status should always be evaluated and addressed before or during elective procedures. Many Frenchie's suffer from stenotic pinched nares, which should be discussed and addressed in advance.
#2. Bulldog Vet (Breed Expert):
Choose a veterinarian and surgical team with extensive bulldog and C-sections experience.
SHOP FOR A VET, NOT PRICE!
#3. Fr. Bulldog Pregnancy Wellness:
Pregnancy wellness should include:
- Proper nutrition: pregnancy requires adequate calories and nutrients
- Bully supplementation: pregnancy often requires micronutrient supplementation.
- Pregnancy monitoring: trimesters checkups
- Imaging (ultrasound or X-rays) to help confirm puppy count and fetal health.
- Timing: The C-section should be scheduled in advance, ideally early morning, with adequate staffing and contingencies planned.
French Bulldog C-Section Day of Surgery Must Do!
- Pre-op screening: CBC, chemistry, blood pressure, ECG
- An Early start to allow adequate time for post-op hospital monitoring.
Pre-op screening blood tests are standard of care, not an option.
Bulldog C-Section Surgical Technique Must Know!
When a C-section also includes a spay (sterilization, OVH) as in Stormi's case, the safest approach in my option is to first clamp ovarian and uterus vessels as well as horns and body and remove the uterus with the puppies still inside, passing it to a nursing team to be extracted and cared for (see video)
This shortens surgery time, reduces contamination, minimize bleeding risk, and anesthetic exposure.
Removing puppies one-by-one on the surgical table is reserved to those mom's who will remain intact (non-spay c-sections).
Bulldog C-Section Recovery and Monitoring Must Know!
Bulldogs require extended post-op monitoring, especially due to airway risks and vomiting (i.e., aspiration pneumonia).
- A dedicated ER nurse
- Continuous monitoring: pulse-ox, blood pressure, breathing, gum color, temperature, etct.
- IV catheter: immediate access to fluid and drugs
- IV Fluids: maintain blood pressure and perfusion
- Body Heat: maintain adequate body temperature with heating lights and medical grade pads.
Bulldog C-Section Complications:
In addition to the general anesthetic risks in bulldogs, bleeding and hemorrhage are known risks with C-section. This risk is further increased when an OVH is performed at the same time, most commonly due to loosened vascular ligatures.
Early recognition and rapid intervention are critical if bleeding occurs; therefore, extended postoperative in-hospital monitoring is essential.
Did Acepromazine Cause the Bleeding and Death of My Bulldog?
Unlikely. Acepromazine is commonly used in bulldog protocols but can lower blood pressure, which is why proper dosing, IV fluids, and monitoring are essential.
Is Morphine Best for Bulldog C-Section Pain control?
I avoid using morphine in bulldogs and French bulldogs due to the increased risk of vomiting and aspiration, and instead implement safer pain-control alternatives.
C-Section and Spay Death Cause Summary
There are too many unknowns in Stormi’s case, but my concern is that it may have involved undetected internal bleeding from a slipped ligature.
These types of postoperative emergencies can often be identified and managed with proper in-house monitoring, allowing for timely, life-saving intervention.
How To Prevent Bulldog C-Section And Spay Complications?
What matters most is:
- Early Planning
- Experience Vet & Team
- Surgical Technique: Speed, safety, and monitoring
- Bulldog-specific anesthesia and airway care
- Safe Recovery: extended hospitalization, monitoring and nursing care.
FINAL NOTE:
My comments are not an indictment of the veterinarian’s actions or conduct, as I was not present.
My observations are based solely on the portions of the medical records shared by the owner and on my professional experience.
Any formal evaluation of veterinary actions must follow proper procedures and adhere to the established standards of practice outlined by the veterinary board.
🐾Thank you for sharing her beautiful photos and memories with us
God Bless, Dr. Kraemer
