Dog Community

surgery.

Posted : 10/12/2008 9:38:16 PM

October 10

So surgery is done. He looks like he has been through a war. 5 masses removed. All sent to the lab. he worst one was on his tummy. a n infiltrate lipoma? we'll know more when the labs come back. Dr Domotor thinks she got all of it. There were "legs" headed into his abdomen. The rest of them were purple on the bottom side once removed, which was sort of a mystery to the good Dr.

He is a cheap drunk and looks so pitiful. It's been quite a day for him.. and me. I haven't stopped crying since he came home. Tramadol, Rimadyl, and carafate(sp). to help with the nsaid and corticosteroid mix and GI issues

As I type he is finally on his feet. He has yet to pee and still won't eat (can't blame him).

I feel like he looks! and that's bad.

October 12

So he is a whole lot brighter today. I made him a turkey and veggie meatloaf as lure to get him to eat. He actually asked for food this morning! Very good. I have slept very little since the surgery. I am hoping to improve the quality of sleep tonight.

I am trying not to worry about the labs. I can't do anything to make the results come quicker. They will be in by Wednesday. His options are limited. Which is sad. I am going to have to start to think about what are the things that will indicate it's time to euthanize him. IF it is the infiltrate lipoma, his life will be shortened greatly. I won't do the surgical option that was vaguely discussed with me. Which made Dr Domotor do a sigh of relief as she isn't comfortable doing it. I told her I would euthanize him long before I would put him through that. Quality of his life is very important to me not just him existing in misery because I don't want to let go. I've helped with putting horses down, but this is so much more personal.

I was sort of curious why he isn't on antibiotics. They sutures are internal and the incisions are closed with glue. How high is the risk of infection? He's basically got all of the incisions covered except for the one they took off of his chin. His back and tummy are loosely covered with one of my t shirts so he can pee and keep Maven out of the incisions. She is a big lick-er an loves to clean his ears and face. I didn't think the incisions would be too far behind. His hock had two cysts on either side of the hock. That is in a nice bandage the vet put on and it is too stay on for 5-7 days. It seems a long time for a bandage to go with out changing.. but maybe that's the horse person in me. I helped a friend cut a cast off of a horse this summer and the cast sores were horrid we could see the collateral ligaments in the knee. That type of thing flashes into my mind when I think of the bandage on for that long.

Any thoughts?

4HAND

Posted : 10/13/2008 3:23:27 AM

There's a great deal on your plate right now.It is very brave for you to remain so calm and reasonable in the face of your dog's illness.I understand completely about your reservations on further surgery.As far as the antibiotics go....It may make you feel better to know that many vets don't even use them for spay surgeries.Horses live in a much dirtier environment that a house-dog so I wouln't expect those kind of sores when your dog's bandages come off.Try to stay positive.I hope your dog makes a full recovery.He's lucky to have you!

Tena

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/13/2008 8:19:42 AM

Try hard to get *you* under control -- he'll sense your upset and it will make HIM worse. So even if you have to take some valerian or Hylands "Calms" or whatever ... try and get yourself level. Being so upset won't help you and it CAN hurt him.

Have you considered putting him on a cancer diet? They've known for years that grain carbs feed cancer and help it grow -- switching him to an all meat/veggie diet (probably very similar to the meatloaf you made!) will help extend the quality of his life and it will definitely help him be happy with what he eats.

Ask the vet about the antibiotics -- the vet may have felt the risk of infection minimal (as 4Hand says FAR different environment) and maybe not worth the strain on his gut.

I know how hard this is -- been thru it myself more than once. Holler if I can help in any way, ok?

JackieG

Posted : 10/13/2008 8:21:38 AM

Sorry you and your dog are going through all this. I have had my Vet tell me to leave a bandage on for 3 to 5 days as long as it doesn't get wet. Maybe it's because they don't think the client can't re-bandage as well? As far as the antibiotics, I would trust your Vet to make this call but if you think there is a possibility she forgot (being a mere mortal like the rest of us) then give her a call and ask.

We put down our 13 year old Lab in May and it was a quality of life issue for her. She could have survived a little longer but she wouldn't have been living any kind of life. It is a terrible decision to make and I truly know how heart wrenching it is to try and decide. My thoughts are with you and I hope for the best possible outcome for you beloved dog.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 10/13/2008 9:06:30 AM

so sorry you are going through this! stay strong!

as for the bandages, my vet put bandages on both jason after his neuter and moca after her spay. they stayed on for a full 7 days without any problems! i was there when they were removed and the wound looked clean and without any sign of sores both times! so dont worry! that shouldnt be an issue!

Foxysox

Posted : 10/13/2008 1:07:09 PM

Thank you. Your replies make me feel a little better. I am more currently worried about him scratching his belly. He has allergies and and we lowered his does of the pred to 1/2 a 5 mg pill per day. It's a dose I've never been successful at keeping him comfortable. Now he is itchy. His belly where it is shaved is raw and bleeding lightly in spots. He does have a tendency to be a self mutilator as it is. The t shirt is helping keep it clean, but not protecting him from himself. One more thing to worry about.

JackieG

Posted : 10/13/2008 1:51:25 PM

You may have to put a cone collar on him. I know that some dogs hate them but lots of dogs don't seem to mind and it's for his own good. Too bad we can't just explain to him why he needs to quit scratching and biting himself.

4HAND

Posted : 10/13/2008 2:20:04 PM

JackieG

You may have to put a cone collar on him. I know that some dogs hate them but lots of dogs don't seem to mind and it's for his own good. Too bad we can't just explain to him why he needs to quit scratching and biting himself.

I've also seen something that looks like an inflateable ring for the neck,for those dogs who are afraid of the cone.Poor baby,so much to handle

Tena

Foxysox

Posted : 10/13/2008 2:57:27 PM

Unfortuantely, the cone wouldn't slow him down on this one or believe me he'd be wearing some form of it! He scratches hind foot to abdomen. I just talked to my vet she says put him back on the pred that he is comfortable on. Not to use anything topical for the iritation from the scratching. I was thinking at the very least maybe some vit e oil.. but then thought better of it as that migh be bad for the glue holding his incision together over the sutures.. so that's out.

This was my creation last night. It would work too, but he was uncomfortable with the horse standing bandage an the pressure that had to be used over the incision sites

aha!!! Socks!! He is wearing socks on his hinds! I have Mutlucks that used to be his, but they are too small. Used some vetwrap to secure lightly!!! I hope this works. Its so good that good naturedly takes my sad attempts at helping him not inflict further damage... this has got to be getting embarassing for him..

JackieG

Posted : 10/13/2008 3:30:52 PM

Socks! Brilliant!

He does look a tad embarassed.......

Foxysox

Posted : 10/13/2008 6:48:00 PM

Oh the socks make him so so so embarrassed! My poor baby. I'm always so grateful that on National dog adoption day I went to the local pound and found this mangy looking, big eared, difficult, separation anxiety prone, couldn't keep him in a yard, allergic, fool. I could never have asked for a better best friend for the better part of the last 9 years. He's the best part of the last 9. My life would have been empty if I hadn't found him!

jessies_mom

Posted : 10/13/2008 9:30:35 PM

I'll be sending healing vibes; so very sorry you're going through this. Callie is right; you need to stay calm for him, but I know it's hard. If it is cancer, please consider the cancer diet she suggested; here's some links to 2 good ones;

http://www.cvsangelcare.com/html/ac_cancerdiet.htm

http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/AltMed/Cancer/Cancer_AltMed.htm

Here's Monica Segal's cancer page; http://www.monicasegal.com/health/cancer.php

Hang in there; we'll be waiting with you; {{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Foxysox

Posted : 10/13/2008 10:25:21 PM

Thank you for the links. I will look at them right now. I don't mind cooking for him. in the crock pot and presto! Food that even I can eat!

He is doing so much better tonight! He seems even brighter than he was earlier in the day. He started bringing me the kong and caught it a couple of times. I didn't want him to do much yet. Maybe a slow walk around the block tomorrow.

Now he is siting on the couch with me cuddled up on my right side. He has never been a cuddler...ever. He always has wanted his own space. I'll take some cuddling from him now and hold it so dear forever! He's not supposed tp be on the couch, but how could I say no? After what I just put him through?? no way. I suspect his rules will be pretty relaxed for a while... spoiled

jessies_mom

Posted : 10/15/2008 6:13:02 PM

I'm glad he's doing better; have you heard from your vet; hope it's not cancer.

Foxysox

Posted : 10/15/2008 7:57:36 PM

We were in the clinic this am to get the bandage change.. $30 for a 10 minute bandage change??? I will have a horse vet do it next week, I object! Post op care??? Maybe I have been spoiled by the equine vet.

Anyway I was there maybe before results had shown... We go back on the 18th... I hope to hear about the labs then... what does bad news cost??