Pet Lovers

What happens when your pet has an operation

Pet Lovers

Posted by: kfactor

14th Nov 2012 02:19pm

My 15 year old best friend (toy cross) has just had several blood blisters removed from his belly. The vet was concerned about his age undergoing any operation and had to give him intravenous fluids. We picked him up around 3.30 Monday 12/11 and was told to watch not only his food and water intake, but he was still quite dopey from the op.
To date, he has rarely slept, and neither have I. He wanders the hallway, and you can see how exhausted he is, but he can't seem to settle. Everytime he goes to sit down, I think the stitches might be irritating him, and his back legs just wobble with fatigue. Watching this is and being unable to help is awful, and I can't sleep when I know he is like this. Finally he will collapse and maybe sleep for an hour, so I do too. until he wakes up again.
This dog is amazing, he is so good to me and for me. He knows when I'm about to have a seizure, and lets me know to get safe. He has never been trained in that way, however we seem to have such a wonderful connection - I suppose that is the main reason I can't rest when he is like this. I think as pet owners, we are very lucky, the unconditional love they give us, they are so special.
I'm certain things will calm down again soon, I just don't like seeing him like this. Will keep you posted....


Comments 4

kfactor
  • 6th Feb 2013 10:59am

I did take my little man back to the vet a couple of times as he just didn't seem to be himself. I listened to their explanations and followed their advice. He improved but his eyesight and hearing didn't. We are having work done in our back yard, putting in new pegola therefore needing to break up the concrete base of the old one. With all the work that is going on, we decided to put him in the kennels for a few days so he wouldn't be distressed about being able to go outside to the toilet. Of course then the weather came and pushed our project back so I rang the people at the kennel to extend his stay. There was no drama in that. Then I got a call last tuesday 29/01 to ask if they could give him a bath as he was quite dirty. I said that he would be a little agitated but if they wanted to, they could. At this time they commented that he really was a little "stress head who wouldn't let anyone pat him".
Then I got the call every owner dreads - my sweet little man had died in the night. I dropped the phone and burst into tears. Then they rang again to say that he was still breathing but he wasn't good. I phoned my husband at work and told him and he met me down at the kennels. I found him lying in his own filth, he had pressure sores on his elbows, he couldn't move his legs, We don't know what had happened to him - 5 days earlier when we dropped him off, he was walking, jumping and a healthy dog - doing really well for 15 & a half. We took him to our vet who said that he was in a really bad way and there was only one decision to end his suffering.
We had already agreed that when the time came, we would get him cremated & bring his ashes home to me. It is a week today, the crematorium delivered him home yesterday - with great dignity and respect. But he has left such a huge hole in our lives.
What I want to know is why the kennel owner didn't call me sooner, or at least call a vet. They are paid to watch over our animals, and surely if you can see that one is distressed and in failing health - a vet should have been called. We are struggling at the moment because rocky was fine, I wouldn't have even put him in the kennels if I knew that this was going to be the outcome! Now I keep blaming myself for not being there. If we had been called to say that he wasn't well, we would have gone down & picked him up & brought him home. I just want my little boy back, I don't know what I'm going to do without him. He was my friend, my loyal companion, and I miss him so much. I had him since he was 6 weeks old and he used to snuggle into my arms, even as he got older, he would always snuggle into me. I have such beautiful memories of my truly treasured friend.

simla
  • 19th Dec 2012 05:56pm

Kfactor, I hope your little friend is ok by now as two months have gone by. I hope you rang the vet for advice on getting him to be more comfortable. My experience like this was that the vet said dogs can have a pain killer for the first few days (more vets should recommend this) as it helps recovery, and is more humane than letting them suffer just because they are animals. Cats cannot have aspirin, it is bad for their kidneys. Dogs can have paracetamol I believe. Best to check with your vet, as every case has different factors to consider. Sounds like your little fellow needs to strengthen his blood vessels so he remains in good condition. Vit c is good for this as well as bioflavonoids such as rutin which is in buckwheat, boil up some, give a handfull in his dinner. some multi vitamin supplement is a good idea, especially at his age. If in doubt about what to get, a couple of drops of Penta-vite baby vitamin supplement is easily absorbed, and is recommended by a vet I used to work for, for all ages of dogs and cats, especially debilitated ones who need special care.. An especially useful recipe is :- one cup of Carnation or Bear Brand Evaporated milk, one raw egg, (if weak, a teaspoon of honey) and three drops of Pent-avite. Evaporated milk is well tolerated as it is believed that the casein protein is digested in the processing as is the lactose. If he is too fat, substitute some evaporated skin milk for the full cream, but be aware that the vitamin A and D are in the cream, but there is some in the egg yolk. I hope this helps keep your old friend going for many more years to come.

jjdrer
  • 21st Jan 2014 10:31pm
Kfactor, I hope your little friend is ok by now as two months have gone by. I hope you rang the vet for advice on getting him to be more comfortable. My experience like this was that the vet said...

We were told told by a Vet not to give egg to an old dog as it can cause or worsen kidney problems.

Lynjoywal
  • 30th Nov 2012 02:06pm

I would have had him back to the vet in a heartbeat!!

Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.

AMCS
Australian Marine Conservation Society are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of scientists, educators and passionate advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
Reach Out
ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.