Hi there!
I am a frequent reader, occasional poster here. Hoping someone might be able to help me in the way of sharing their own experience if their beloved pooch has been in a similar situation.
My (funny I should say "my", she clearly rules the roost!) nine year old border collie mix Sheeba had a liver biopsy about one month ago. Blood work revealed elevated liver enzymes, she was a bit jaundiced, had an ultrasound which indicated liver failure so we proceeded with liver biopsy. That revealed cholangial hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis.
She appeared to heal very well from the biopsy, stitches were to re-absorb. Began meds- amoxicillin, prednisone, pepcid, and denosyl. Has had two subsequent lab draws, the last showing vast improvement, and she is to begin weaning off the meds. All seems to be going well, right??
Well tonight I came home from work, she hopped up on the bed and made a sigh/moan sort of noise. When I reached down to pat her belly I noticed a large pouch in the area of where her biopsy had been done, really protruding. She allowed me to palpate a bit, but was clearly uncomfortable. Got to the Vets office right away who told us it appears though she was healing well on the outside, inside may not have been healing so well. When one of the stitches re-absorbed it probably caused this hernia.
So now we are scheduled for another surgery tomorrow am to have the hernia repaired with a permanent stitch. The concern is her intestines could protrude into the hernia and cause major problems.
I apologize for the novel, but my question is this....Has anyone had an experience where their dog has had a hernia post-surgery? Or a hernia repaired like this at all?
Thanks in advance,
Heather (and Sheeba)