|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Aug 25, 2021 9:39:38 GMT -7
Krista's Sully 8/25 surgery -Chi/Minpin mix Thank you so much!! SURGERY UPDATE: Sully is out of surgery! Not sure if I should create a new thread or if this will be moved by mods? The MRI determined that the herniated disc (L2/L3) was bulging very bad, compressing almost 80% of his spine. The neurologist (Dr. Scarano at Red Bank) has been fantastic with details and updates between the MRI and into surgery / after surgery. I feel confident I made the best choice as she said there was likely very, very little possibility of an even partial or full recovery without surgery given the compression. The prednisone was basically taking the swelling down but he would have continued to decline each taper as it likely would have inflamed again almost immediately (as it did this 2nd taper). She said there was a ton of "disc material" -- phrased it as endless / kept coming out. They said they were able to remove it all but there was a lot of bleeding. Nothing she said is too concerning at this point or life-threatening but they are keeping an eye. She said he is awake and seems to be looking around confused but seems comfortable. They told me to call whenever with any questions / updates but she will be in touch tomorrow at 12pm for a second update and hopefully a better idea of when he will be able to come home (3-5 days from now). Her prognosis, given nothing changes in meantime, is a 90% chance of a full recovery as of right now. Which is good enough for me. Lastly, she told me to expect her to report that he is doing worse tomorrow but should turn the corner after that for recovering. Keeping fingers crossed my baby will remain stable in recovery and come home okay!! :-) |
|
PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
|
Post by PaulaM on Aug 25, 2021 10:26:17 GMT -7
Krista, thanks so much for the update. We are as relieved as you are. When things are settled in for you and Sully is back home, consider adding to our directory for vet recommendations to help another member. The directory is where you can share surgical info: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/13/member-reported-surgery-costs-recommendationsState: Surgeon: Hospital: Address: Cost: Date of surgery: What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.) Comments: Will be watching for your next update. |
|
|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Aug 25, 2021 13:37:29 GMT -7
I absolutely will! So far, I have had a great experience and am very happy with her "bedside manner." I've felt fully informed/included since he has been brought in. I will add the recommendation once Sully gets settled in. (They have also been great for Sully's emergency visits - they are the most accommodating / informative I've experienced yet.)
Looking forward to seeing my boy again and will provide an update as I have it or once he gets home! Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Aug 26, 2021 9:27:51 GMT -7
WOW! You will never believe this update!
The surgeon prepared me yesterday after surgery that they did manipulate him a lot / there was a lot of "trauma" during surgery because of how much disc material there was / bleeding etc... so she said expect the update tomorrow to be worse than today but should turn the corner by Friday, 8/27 (tomorrow).
Well... she just called me and said that Sully is eating/drinking/peeing great and he is already able to get up and walk on his own!!!! Amazing!! She said she couldn't even believe it herself! I will likely be able to bring him home tomorrow as long as he has no issues with his incisions in the meantime. I am so relieved! I can't believe it.
Ready to get crate rest and recovery at home on the road.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
|
Post by PaulaM on Aug 26, 2021 10:01:05 GMT -7
Krista, your Sully is some dog! A most wonderful report on how well he is doing post op today!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Aug 27, 2021 11:37:37 GMT -7
Guess what! Sully got to come home today, (a day early) after only going into surgery Wednesday morning 8/25! He is able to wobbly walk with some ataxia. He is comfortable -- doing so well, we cannot believe it. Dr. Scarano could not believe it either!
His wound is stapled and looks pretty rough but is smaller than I was expecting. Not oozy or anything weird -- looks good. He gets his staples out in 7-10 days with Dr. Scarano. He's been such a good boy.
He can pee on his own but they said he hasn't wanted to pee when they take him outside. I tried to encourage him to pee in the grass before we went inside when we got home from the hospital, but he didn't go. Then when he laid down he peed the most I'd ever seen and was just laying in it. Hopefully that doesn't become a habit lol, but he has been through a lot and I'm sure his neurons are still communicating slowly.
He ate food and took his medicine easily. No issues there. Has seemed tired, of course... but there is a light in his eyes I haven't seen in over 2 weeks. He just seems to be coming back to himself again. I can't imagine how much pain he was in. Here is his updated current meds list:
1.✙ Cephalexin 250mg capsule - 1 capsule, 2x daily until finished
2. Pepcid 10mg - 1 tab, 1x daily while on prednisone
3. ▲Tramadol 50mg tab - 1/2 tab, 2-3x daily as needed for pain (they said to start with 3x for now)
4. ▲Gabapentin 100mg cap - 1 cap, 2-3x daily as needed for pain/sedation (they said start with 3x)
5. Prednisone 5mg - 1 tab, 2x day for 5 days... starting Monday, 8/30 1 tab, 1x day for 5 days... then 1 tab, 1x day every other day
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
25 lbs / 11.34 kg 6.5 y.o.
Surgery 8/25
prednisone cont'd fr 8/15 conservative treatment to taper:
5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, then 8/30 taper
traMADol 50 mgs tab: ▲100mgs ▲3x/day
✙Cephalexin 250mg cap - 250 mgs 2x/day
gabapentin 100mg cap: 100 mgs ▲3x/day
Pepcid AC 10 mg tab: ▲10mgs ▼1x/day ]
I will be adding Red Bank and Dr. Scarano's recommendation to the list. Their team has been so great with updates, discharge directions, etc. It's a miracle to see how he went in vs. how he is already doing now! I really can't believe he is able to wobbly walk even better than he was when he was seeing a tiny bit of improvement on prednisone.
We are starting the 6-week strict bed rest. Will be discussing therapies and whatnot with doctor when she takes staples out in about a week. And then we will be onto PT and a somewhat restricted BUT PAIN-FREE and happy existence!
Let me know if you have any questions or if I missed anything in his update. :-) I am very proud of my boy and so happy to be with him again.
|
|
PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,540
|
Post by PaulaM on Aug 27, 2021 12:03:46 GMT -7
Krista, we are so very happy to hear how Sully is doing and home today. Just marvelous!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Aug 27, 2021 13:05:47 GMT -7
Thank you so much!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Sept 6, 2021 4:11:42 GMT -7
Hello! Update:
Sully is doing extremely well 1.5 weeks post op. He got his staples out on Thursday 9/2 and he has been healing well. Surgeon is still so impressed given his was one of the worst disc cases she’d seen / a lot of material was removed and she said they had to really do quite a bit of work/“trauma” to get it all out. So he has done phenomenally given that.
She told us Thursday 9/2 that he would need 3 weeks more strict pen rest with only going outside to poddy. Then in 4 weeks from Thursday, we can start one 5-minute walk a day. Will be going for checkup at the end of the 4 weeks to determine progress and PT options.
He’s currently on Prednisone 5mg 1x every other day / Gaba 100mg 2-3x day or as needed (have been going back and forth between 2-3 times for sedative and anxiety reasons) / Tramadol 25mg 2-3x day (no pain visible so giving it 2x) / Pepcid ac 10mg 1x day
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
25 lbs / 11.34 kg 6.5 y.o.
Surgery 8/25
prednisone cont'd fr 8/15 conservative treatment to EOD taper:
traMADol 50 mgs tab: ▼25mgs ▼2x/day
gabapentin 100mg cap: 100 mgs 3x/day owner using as anti-anxiety
Pepcid AC 10 mg tab: 10mgs 1x/day ]
My question is, is it common to still be giving the pain med at this point or weaning him off more? I did ask her if I should still continue it and she said 2x a day was fine. Doesn’t seem like he is in any pain but he has been on the pain med so not sure if that’s why. Same with the Gabapentin? Will ultimately go with her advice but curious if this is something I should give her another call about.
He definitely is bored and really does not want to be in the pen - usually he is pretty good about cooperating but I can tell he is ready to burst so I have still been giving the Gabapentin mostly 3x a day since it seems to make him more sedate. Would like any input on what is the typical meds procedure post op / typical scenarios.
Overall, he has been such a good boy. His legs definitely seem so frail from inactivity / his body. Can’t wait til he can get started slowly regaining strength and doing some pt.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
|
Post by Marjorie on Sept 6, 2021 6:03:51 GMT -7
So glad to hear that Sully is doing well, Krista. Post-op pain usually lasts about two weeks following surgery. Since you're not going to be actually seeing the vet again for another 4 weeks, I would give it another week or so and then give her a call to discuss either stopping or at least tapering the pain meds. Gabapentin can help as a sedative but there are other natural ways to help Sully with the rest of his crate rest. Here's our page with some calming tips that I hope will be helpful:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/24/tips-to-help-with-recovery-suite/You might want to take a look at our page of post-op exercises (be sure to watch the video) and run these by the vet when you see her again. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/27/surgery-dog-pt/How is Sully doing with urinating outside now? Healing prayers for Sully. |
|
|
|
Post by Krista & Sully on Sept 7, 2021 14:28:52 GMT -7
Thank you for the helpful resources! I will check with the neurologist in about a week on the medicine dosages and see what she recommends.
Sully has been doing great with poddy! When he was on prednisone 2x day and then 1x a day, he was peeing every 2-3 hours really since he was drinking a lot of water. He's still drinking a lot of water but much less. Today was his "other" day for prednisone since we are now tapered to every other day 5mg (started every other on Saturday, 9/4). It seems today he has not had to go to the bathroom much today. He only went once this afternoon after we've taken him out 4-5 times but is not showing any signs of concerning infections (like a UTI) otherwise. He is drinking water and eating, though... probably not drinking as much water as before.
Thank you for the prayers. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Romy & Frankie on Sept 7, 2021 14:45:40 GMT -7
Prednisone causes a dog to drink a lot and then pee a lot. Every 2-3 hours is not unusual when on pred. Now that Sully is tapering off the pred, you will find he will begin to urinate on a more normal schedule.
|
|
