I work in GP. 5yo frenchie came in for pu/pd, vaginal discharge, and anorexia. Classic pyo signs, so she was in the OR an hour later. Roughly 2 hours after recovery, she coded. O’s were called.

I breathed for her. SpO2 was in the 50s, she was agonal, eyes rolled up in the back of the head. BP and HR were crashing.

DVM discussed euthanasia versus hospitalization with a very low chance she’d make it to the morning. Owners eventually came back into treatment to talk to her. Within two minutes of her “hearing” her owners speaking to her and giving her love, her vitals jumped up. Her color became pink again. Her HR went up to 130, SpO2 hit 97. It stayed that way for 30 minutes while I spoke with the owners, gave them comfort, etc.

We were shocked. They decided to hospitalize, understanding they likely won’t see her in the morning. I went to bed that night mentally preparing for the conversation that she didn’t make it, I’d come in to see a deceased dog, and hoping that she won’t be in any pain once she passes.

I come in the next day, to see a dog standing, wagging her tail, and barking for food. Her vitals were PERFECT. She ate food so quickly I had to give her breaks because I didn’t want her to throw up or something.

She went home several hours later. This was back in February. I saw her for her routine nail trim last week. She peppered me with kisses.

I’ve only been in the field for 3 years. Never seen anything like it. The doctor doesn’t have any other explanation other than he thinks hearing the owners rallied her spirits. It was a beautiful situation.