Laparoscopic biopsy recovery?

Recently, my 13 year old male greyhound had to have a laparoscopic liver biopsy because he was found to be in liver failure. He had totally refused eating the whole day before and the morning of his exam. Blood work revealed his liver enzymes, especially billiruban, were severely elevated and his eyes were jaundace. He was hospitalised and scheduled for a laparoscopic liver biopsy the next afternoon. He still didn't eat anything this day. We were warned that because of his age and his liver that the anesthesia would be risky and he might not live through it. He had the biopsy at 1:00pm and was finshed by 2:00pm. They told us that preliminary results from the biopsy looked like it was likely lymphoma. They told us he would be OK to be released to be brought home by 6:00pm that night. When they brought him out, we were shocked to see him wheeled out on a gurney, still totally out of it. It took 3 people to lift him in the car. He stayed totally out of it all the way home and all night. He still wasn't eating. Is it normal for a 13 year old greyhound with liver failure, who hasn't eaten for 3 and a half days with suspected lymphoma to be released the same day (4 hours after) after a risky laparoscopic liver biopsy?

Gary

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

At my practice, pets are only released after surgery when they can walk out by themselves without help.