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Post by sson1a on Oct 30, 2013 13:26:08 GMT -7
Hi there, I am currently beside myself with worry that we have done the right thing for Kacper, our Chinese Crested Powder Puff. He was taken for emergency surgery yesterday following a night of crate rest following vets advice. His symptoms did worsen hence the surgery. He is currently still hospitalised but we think he may be coming home tomorrow, he is not coping well as he is a very nervous dog and therefore would probably be better off here at home. I have not be allowed to see him today but have been told he is not toileting himself currently. I am not aware of the drugs he is on yet and will find this out tomorrow. I am so worried I have made the wrong decision to put him through this trauma and I am sure I will know this for sure tomorrow when I see him. I am also highly anxious as I just do not know what to expect. He is going to find it hard to rest 24/7, although he loves his crate he also enjoys a good cuddle session on my knee, I guess I will just have to go to him which is fine by me. I think I am looking for reassurance that this is the right thing to have done, we have very busy lives, both working and with our 5 year old but Kacper is so much a part of our lives but this is what worries me, have I been selfish in pursuing this option rather than having him put to sleep. This dog has been through so much in his little life (he's 6) he has terrible allergies which we constantly battle through. A biopsy was also taken from the injury yesterday as there is the possibility that this may not be ivdd, the surgeon said he found something that looks unusual but he was not sure what it was hence the test being carried out - I am hoping that this is noting to worry about and will probably part of some decisions tomorrow. The surgeon removed whatever this unusual matter was and said there was crumbling around which might be what he has found - I feel like I need more info from the vet but he is just not able to give it yet. Please can you advise me on what I need to have at home beside the crate and bedding before I bring Kacper home tomorrow, I am going to the pet shop to buy a second bed just in case we need to do some rotating for washes. I just feel devastated about the whole scenario, my poor little man  |
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 30, 2013 13:59:08 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, my name is Pauliana, what is your name? So sorry Kacper had to have surgery, and no you were not being selfish in trying to help your beloved dog. My dog Tyler also had surgery on January 28th and it was the right thing to do in his case. It relieved his intense pain and he healed very rapidly and had a 95% chance of recovering normally and that he did.. That said Conservative treatment with medications and crate rest for 8 weeks is also a wonderful course of treatment and many Dodgerslist dogs recover just that way. The fact that your Vet found something of concern during surgery that wouldn't have been discovered during conservative care tells me that surgery was the right thing to do in this case.. We just have to stand by for the results of the biopsy and send you lots of comfort in the meantime and pray for his recovery. I wonder if the crumbling could be calcified discs: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CalcifiedDiscs.htmIt is important right now to learn all you can about IVDD to better care for Kacper during his post op recovery: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmIVDD is not a death sentence as many Veterinarians seem to think.. Your dog can have a great quality of life with IVDD, please read this: www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmLets focus now on the discharge questions you will need to have ready for the Vet tomorrow. Here is a link with questions to get you started. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htmCrate rest and supplies: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmHow to lift and carry Kacper: Let us know after you get him home what medications he was sent home with and their dosages and frequencies given..Also ask your Vet in this particular way: Is there any medical reason why my dog can't take Pepcid AC to protect his stomach from gastric distress from Steroids or NSAIDS (never give both a NSAID and Steroid, just use one from either class of drugs..) Sending you soothing thoughts over the miles, we are here to help! |
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Post by sson1a on Oct 30, 2013 15:45:47 GMT -7
Thank you so much for all the advice and reassurance. My name is Sonia. I will let you know how we get on tomorrow.
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Post by sson1a on Oct 31, 2013 10:39:19 GMT -7
Hi there, Kacper has come home with us this evening. He was so happy to see us at the vets, he wagged his tail. Whilst they were trying to show us how to extract urine by us helping him he did this all by himself, another good sign! He is currently in his crate, I bought him a nice new memory foam mattress which should help him to feel comfortable. He is crate trained luckily and this should help him, he is whining a bit i think he was hoping to sit on my knee which is a no no at the moment, i have promised him i will sit on the floor with him after some physio later. He is currently not eating which means we can't get the meds down him, he has had a bit of carrot off me - he loves carrot and it is the first thing he has eaten since the op.
The meds he is on are: pain relief/anti inflammatory
meloxicam 1.5 mg/ml oral solution once daily with food (quite a problem at the moment);
bladder/ muscle relaxants:
Diazepam 2mg tablets 3/4 tablet x3 a day;
Prazosin (Hypovase) tablets 1/2 tablet twice daily.
He is not on steroids or any other similar meds currently.
He is exhausted - covered his crate so he can rest and he is completely out of it - I think it has all been very stressful for him.
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Post by Linda Stowe on Oct 31, 2013 15:01:56 GMT -7
Good to hear Kacper is home and already can wag his tail. Very promising. He should start eating better now that he is home. A lot of members have good luck with putting the pills in cream cheese, marshmellows, and peanut butter. Here is an article on helpful supplies for crate rest. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm |
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Post by sson1a on Oct 31, 2013 16:23:56 GMT -7
Thank you once again for your help and advice, this website has been invaluable to me. I am feeling daunted at the moment but I know the advice on here will help us to keep moving forward. Thank you again for taking the time!
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Oct 31, 2013 17:11:09 GMT -7
My dog slept the entire day after coming home from the hospital. I think thats pretty normal. They've been through a lot, and they're so relieved to be home. It takes some time for anesthetic to clear the system completely, as well.
I hope you start to see some signs of healing soon. Be patient.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,590
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 1, 2013 12:07:59 GMT -7
You might want to give him Pepcid AC to help with the not eating. The FDA and manufacturer pkg insert indicate gastrointestinal problems are side effects of using NSAIDs. The natural defenses of the stomach to shield against stomach acid is hindered when taking NSAIDs. Serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Phrase the question to your vet this particular way:" Is there a medical/health reason my dog may not take Pepcid?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in stomach protection by giving doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID. A good place to look up all of your dog's meds: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmHow's he feeling today…eating better? |
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Post by sson1a on Nov 1, 2013 13:09:49 GMT -7
Hi there, Kacper has now started eating - very well tonight and by himself from a lifted bowl. He seems far more settled and has done well with his PT, he needs one more lot in a while before we go to bed. I think the not eating was the traumor of being away from home with lots of other dogs and strange people. He again managed to pee by himself after a little stimulation - had to go back to the vets today to learn how to do it as my husband and I couldn't get to grips with it. We are now there. They have said that his deep pain sensation is there but currently we have limited movement on his back legs but it is still early days. He is booked for a consultation for hydrotherapy next Thursday with the view to starting once the staples are removed next Friday. He is being very good with his PT even though the back left leg is very stiff. He is crate trained but is getting a bit fed up of this and moaning a little about being in there. I will look into the Pepcid treatment with the vet.
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Post by sson1a on Nov 20, 2013 16:12:48 GMT -7
Hi, just wanted to let people know that after a tricky couple of weeks kacper is doing brilliantly. He started to get quite down from all the crate rest and we think he had some infection, not urine though as this was tested and came back fine, he was given antibiotics as well as a different pain relief and has picked up brilliantly now. He is starting to become mischievous and after we found food he would eat he is much brighter, weirdly wanted kibble!! Not even meat was being touched. I think the metacam really affected him and he was later put on a sedative instead this worked much better for him and hasn't upset his stomach. Physio really has helped him and I believe this has been the key to rapid recovery. He is due to go the the specialist tomorrow, so fingers crossed all will be positive there. His meds are also due to stop then too. I hope he can start hydro this weekend but we still have a couple of scabs from the wound so will be checking on this tomorrow. I feel so proud of my brave little dog, he really is a fighter and although he has found it hard to be in his crate so much he has been amazing! Well done my dog!! He has enjoyed getting out to go to the physio, I think this given him an outing as after each visit he seemed brighter, I think this is so important, as well as teaching me what he needs to do. When going to the toilet he now manages to put his leg up which is amazing when I consider he wasn't able to even walk 3 weeks ago and I wondered if it was the right thing to do. We have to keep an eye now though as he does try to jump up and it is too soon for this, it's like he is teaching the toddler stage of walking as he does wobble. Thankfully the insurance did pay out which helps but after doubting my decision I am glad we went for the op and would have done it if the insurance didn't pay. Thanks for the support!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member 
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335 
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Post by StevieLuv on Nov 20, 2013 16:25:12 GMT -7
Thank you for sharing such an inspiring update! Don't forget to give yourself credit along with your brave Kacsper for his great recovery!  |
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