Last week Arctic had more excitement than he wanted, and so did the vet’s office.
It started out well enough, aside from the fact Arctic’s teeth required cleaning 😑. We’re brushing daily now, so hopefully it won’t be necessary to do this again. Because… although sedating Arctic went well with me beside him, the instant the anesthesia was stopped, he woke. And freaked out, and tried to bite everyone. I know they were shocked, and he had to be. He fell asleep in a room with me beside him, and then with no sense that any time passed, he woke up in a room full of people, and I’m nowhere to be found. He’s not what I’d call friendly with strangers (and neither would anyone else), although given enough time spent in the right way, and he is able to go from Red Alert to Yellow. There was no time though, I wasn’t there, flight wasn’t an option, and he was most definitely in Red Alert mode.
Fortunately I was waiting in my vehicle rather than at home, and I made sure everyone knew that’s where I’d be. The plan was to be with him when he woke up, but instead a tech ran out and asked if I was Arctic’s mom. I’m his gramma, not his mom, but as stressed as she looked, I didn’t take the time to clarify. She said he was awake and upset, so I hurried after her as she led the way to the dark exam room where he was lying on a blanket, facing the wall, with the vet and several techs watching from a safe distance. It’s VERY fortunate his muscles weren’t fully functioning and he wasn’t able to get up, because he was indeed upset and looking rapidly over his shoulders to the right and left to make sure no one was coming any closer.
Our vet was alarmed when I went straight to Arctic, and cautioned he might not know it was me. I can imagine the wild time they just had with him. I’m so thankful no one was hurt! And I’m not naive enough to think Arctic absolutely positively couldn’t possibly ever bite me under any circumstance, but I started talking to him the moment I entered the room. I could tell he recognized me. So I sat by him and pet him, and told him it was alright. He calmed down, and everyone else was able to leave.
Arctic fell asleep then. After all, there was still anesthesia in his system. He shouldn’t have been awake at all. The vet said this NEVER happens, they never wake the instant anesthesia is stopped. Everyone was clearly shocked that he did. But, as hard as Arctic fought to stay awake, it stands to reason he kept fighting even when he was under. I think we all underestimated the level of hyper vigilance this dog is capable of.
Arctic slept off and on after that, waking each time to survey the otherwise empty room suspiciously. Once he was able to fully control his muscles and stand, we were cleared to leave, and made it to the vehicle without him bawling anyone out. I considered that a win, all things considered.
I’m very thankful no one was hurt, including Arctic. After reaching home and sleeping off the rest of the anesthesia, he was completely back to his cheerful, at-home self. The experience could have triggered lasting anxiety, but it didn’t.
We’re really fortunate to have the vet we do. He accommodates as much as he possibly can to make Arctic’s visits as stress-free as possible. It didn’t work out quite that way for anyone this time, but not for lack of effort. With daily teeth brushing, perhaps we can avoid future procedures involving anesthesia, and if not… I won’t be surprised if I get clearance to stick with him every step of the way next time. That would suit me and Arctic just fine, and everyone else present that day!