HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A South Florida family is mourning the loss of their beloved Chihuahua, Daisy, after a routine dental procedure led to her unexpected death back in October.
On Monday, they chose to speak out to warn fellow pet owners about the potential risks of sedation and to advocate for improved transparency in veterinary care.
Patti Ward, Daisy’s owner, said she took her three Chihuahuas for dental cleanings, including her oldest, Abbi, who needed extractions. Ward was apprehensive about the anesthesia, as her dogs had previously undergone non-invasive dental procedures.
“It’s our family member, it’s not just a dog,” Ward said.
When Ward picked up her dogs after the procedure, two of them appeared healthy and alert, but Daisy seemed lethargic and was struggling to breathe.
“Abbi was her cute little wiggly self and very happy to see Mommy, Rosie was very happy to see Daddy, and then when they brought Daisy out, she was labored breathing and looked very lethargic,” Ward said.
According to Ward, the veterinarian assured her Daisy’s symptoms were normal side effects of the anesthesia and would subside. However, Daisy’s condition worsened throughout the night, prompting an emergency visit to the vet.
“They said no she’s fine, we even did some bloodwork... but if you do the X-ray you’re going to have to pay for it because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her, it’s just the anesthesia,” Ward recalled.
By morning, Daisy’s condition had deteriorated to the point where she required oxygen. Shortly after undergoing an X-ray on Oct. 4, she died. The emergency vet determined that Daisy had suffered a collapsed lung.
“We ran her to an emergency vet... by the time they X-rayed her... she passed away,” Ward said.
Ward later learned that bloodwork performed before the procedure indicated Daisy had anemia. She said the results were not disclosed to her until after the procedure, despite assurances from the veterinary staff that any concerning findings would be communicated in advance.
“Why weren’t you told the bloodwork results before the dentistry was done?” asked Local 10′s Animal Advocate Jacey Birch.
“That’s the big question,” Ward replied. “It was dental cleaning, it wasn’t an emergency so we would have stopped it. They made that decision before even informing us.”
The veterinarian refunded Ward nearly $3,000 for the dental procedures, bloodwork, and emergency vet bills. Despite the financial reimbursement, Ward said she is not seeking retribution but hopes to raise awareness about the importance of thorough communication between pet owners and veterinarians.
“The family actually isn’t looking for any sort of retribution at all,” said Birch. “What they want to do is educate other pet parents so they don’t go through the same heartache and pain.”
Ward is urging pet owners to insist on reviewing bloodwork results before allowing their pets to undergo procedures involving anesthesia.
“Insist you hear what the bloodwork is before they ever stick a needle in your dog for anesthesia, that’s number one, insist!” she said.
George Kirkman, Daisy’s other owner, echoed Ward’s sentiments, advocating for alternatives to traditional dental cleanings when sedation poses a risk.
“People need to know that there’s alternatives and hopefully we can make something better for somebody else,” Kirkman said.
Daisy’s memory lives on in her family’s backyard, where she is buried among blooming daisies — a reminder of the love she brought and the lessons her loss has inspired.
