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06-23-2010, 01:21 PM
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Advice needed....my baby (puppy) is having surgery
My bella is 5 months old and she is a shih tzu. She has what is called Distichia which means she has tiny hairs growing out of her eyelid margin that are rubbing her cornea. She has had one ulcer already that has healed and the specialist today told me she needs surgery so that she don't get another ulcer and possibly go blind.
Ok course I will do anything for her. She is my baby. I'm terrified though, more than that, I simply am beside myself with worry. Number one she is so little and to be put "under" this young is terrifying. Number two, the vet hospital told me that she will be there from Monday night (surgery is early Tuesday morning) until possibly Friday or maybe Thursday. OMG we have not been apart more than a few hours when i work. I'm so afraid she will be so scared and spending all of those nights alone, in a cage just is ripping my heart out. It is a teaching hospital however and told me that there is someone there 24 7, which is a little comforting. Questions.... Has anyone's animals had this before? The procedure is called electroepilation. Has anyone had a baby that young, five months, had surgery before? They said she is too little to have the IV sedation and has to have gas... When your babies have had surgery and were there more than overnight. Did you visit them? They said i could but then a friend mentioned that that may be harder on her if she sees me and then i go away again? I don't know. I'm just bawling my eyes out and I guess need some info and support, white light, prayer, whatever it is you can throw my way. The surgery will be toward the end of July. Thanks in advance....
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06-23-2010, 01:36 PM
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I'm so sorry. If her life is not in danger you should get other opinions. Dont do this because one vet advises it.
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06-23-2010, 01:42 PM
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Her main vet is who told me about the eye problem and sent me to a specialist. It is in a teaching hospital and that was today's appointment. There were 6 internists and senior students involved in the case I suppose since this may be kinda rare? Anyway, the vet today even had me wear the "darth vader" head gear and see for myself. They are there...teeny tiny little hairs laying right on her eye. I do feel confident that this needs to be done. I just have do deal with doing it. Thank you for your words of comfort and thank you for responding...means the world to me.
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06-23-2010, 01:44 PM
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Princess, Get a second opinion. Do not just go with what 1 vet says. I have a friend of mine who just does anything and everything her vet says. So now, she is in the hole several thousands dollars. She had had everything under the sun done to her cats, dogs, and bird. She was thinking of taking in a chipmonk who comes to her and takes bread & peanuts out of her hand to eat. Medical doctors are the same way. If they find out you will spend money, they will milk you for repeat office visits, and needless surgeries, and so on. Same goes with our furkids. We have to watch out for them. The one suggestion I may ask of you to do is this - ask Violaine. She is very good with info. on most everything on all kinds of our pets. She is brilliant. Truely. She maybe able to help you. Please keep us posted on this. I am a huge animal lover. I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you both. Love, Drew |
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06-23-2010, 01:48 PM
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Thanks for the advice and ty for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. That is exactly what I need. Hugs to you.
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06-23-2010, 02:17 PM
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Bella, I'm sorry about your puppy..
Just like in a human, any time they go under there is a risk.. But that being said.. I have assisted in about 15 proceedures using gas on a young cat/dog and they all came out of it.. It's not a hard proceedure, it's just because she can't verbalize what she is feeling, that she needs to stay with the vet for a lil bit of time... If it's a teaching hospital, then yes, someone is going to be there and she is going to be loved on... She might be a lil scared, but honestly, when we had babies in for longer than over nights, we loved on them... At the vet hospital that I worked at.. We didn't recomend visits...(for non critical animals) The repeate separation tended to be more stressful than the waiting... Truthfully, I don't know if that is true or not.. that was just the vet's policy... I know it's a hard thing, but separation is not always a bad thing... It teaches them that you do come back...
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06-23-2010, 02:13 PM
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My sweet, darling friend. My heart goes out to you. wish I could be there to comfort you. Please call me if you want to talk about it. I will say a special prayer for my itty 'niece' Bella tonight. I love you and Bella. Please know I'm just a phone call away. Love you and Bella, darlin'.
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06-23-2010, 02:46 PM
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06-23-2010, 02:17 PM
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But, I will do what is best for her, not necessarily what is best for me. I am glad your other Shih Tzu's eyes are doing great. Would love to see your babies. I have one posted of bella as well. Thanks again and bless you for your post and advice.
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06-23-2010, 02:32 PM
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Dear Belle
Please keep us posted on your babie's recovery. She's is so lucky to have such a loving Mommie!!! Will be keeping her in my thoughts and prayers for a swift recovery and home to you as soon as possible..
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06-23-2010, 01:39 PM
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I don't know any dogs who've had this procedure, but I have known a couple of humans. It seemed fairly uncomplicated and they healed well. I imagine that the biggest worries with a puppy are keeping her from disturbing the surgical site, and avoiding any kind of infection. As for visiting: the staff should be able to help you judge what is best for her. You might want to consider visiting her and getting feedback from them as to how it affected her. My thoughts are that although she might be upset when you leave, at least seeing you will assure her that you're not abandoning her. My thought is that this might avoid separation anxiety in the future. I'm not an expert by any means but have had dogs all my life and that's my gut feeling. Wishing your baby (and you!) well in coping with it all!
Sue 
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06-23-2010, 01:45 PM
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06-23-2010, 08:47 PM
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questions/fears understood and totally founded!
[QUOTE=princessbelle;136818]My bella is 5 months old and she is a shih tzu. She has what is called Distichia which means she has tiny hairs growing out of her eyelid margin that are rubbing her cornea. She has had one ulcer already that has healed and the specialist today told me she needs surgery so that she don't get another ulcer and possibly go blind.
hi  i'm sympathetic to your concerns with a small animal undergoing surgical procedures, as i live with guinea pigs, who do require very specific anesthesia and medication therapy. if it helps you just a little bit to know-both of my pigs, weighing in at three pounds each, successfully had lipomas removed [which were growing very large, and these are commonly found to be benign tumours on gpigs]. exotic pets like lagophthalmos / rabbits are known for this eyelid abnormality, and many of their humans help relieve the damage/further damage - as you have described already with ulceration of cornea. the eye of a rabbit can actually rupture if not treated. [once, i had an abrasion on the cornea, and the pain level, and sensitivity to light was beyond incredible]. i think the file i'm going to attach provides in-depth information about the condition as well as the procedure, especially in the situation of existing ulcers: http://wvc.omnibooksonline.com/data/.../2010_V214.pdf Ok course I will do anything for her. She is my baby. I'm terrified though, more than that, I simply am beside myself with worry. Number one she is so little and to be put "under" this young is terrifying. Number two, the vet hospital told me that she will be there from Monday night (surgery is early Tuesday morning) until possibly Friday or maybe Thursday. OMG we have not been apart more than a few hours when i work. I'm so afraid she will be so scared and spending all of those nights alone, in a cage just is ripping my heart out. It is a teaching hospital however and told me that there is someone there 24 7, which is a little comforting. these feelings, while understandable, are putting your needs before hers- and the eyes are nothing to fool around with time-wise. i do not like to clear out bum impactions on a guinea pig, or have them fearful of me/my hands- but it's a matter of life or death. dogs are forgiving, and do not 'rationalise' it all the way our brains work. they go in, have the surgery, get a bit spoiled at the vet hospital, come home, and it's even more of a positive experience  not to minimise your thoughts/feelings Questions.... Has anyone's animals had this before? The procedure is called electroepilation. Has anyone had a baby that young, five months, had surgery before? They said she is too little to have the IV sedation and has to have gas... i've seen it and i've known of people having the same surgical procedure, and yes to the age / size / breed as well. all across the board species/breeds. When your babies have had surgery and were there more than overnight. Did you visit them? They said i could but then a friend mentioned that that may be harder on her if she sees me and then i go away again? I don't know. I'm just bawling my eyes out and I guess need some info and support, white light, prayer, whatever it is you can throw my way. totally up to you! maybe try not to make a huge dealio with greetings or departures- the latter will have her keyed up for longer when you leave. mild tone, body language works best = calming. the exaggerated / high pitched voice and unnatural body language will get her too excited. The surgery will be toward the end of July. Thanks in advance.... |
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06-23-2010, 09:34 PM
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Belle, your concerns are valid... She will be okay and the surgery will only help her... Did you ask the vet about having her spayed while she is under? Do it all in one fell swoop... less stress for the both of you... Good luck my friend...
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06-23-2010, 10:08 PM
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I've had 2 dogs that have had this surgery,one of them twice rgwy both were fine, It's like a lid lift women have done at a plastic surgeons. The operation isn't really agressive, and the reason they is to ward off infection and if they have stitches they don't have the opportunity to dig them out withere little paws.I worked for a vet for awhile (6 yrs.) and alot of vets use infant anesthesia which works quite. The cornea can be damaged fairly quickly so I get it done soon.It's really not a complicated surgery,I've seen it done several times and two of those times it was my dog, he was fine. If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I'll try to answer your questions.. My dogs were small as while and one was under a year as well...It'll be fine..The reference about having Bella spayed at the same time is a really good idea then she only has to undergo surgery one time..
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06-23-2010, 10:19 PM
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Gabriella, I am so glad you came and posted your experience with this type of surgery to princessbelle. Now even I feel comforted about it too.
I had a little red and white mutt I had to euthanize last August. She was sixteen and a half years old and there at the very end, she developed a back problem. I could not put her through major back surgery at her age. Also, there would not have been any quality of life for her if I had doped her on pain pills. Even though I know in my heart I did the right thing for her, I grieved so much over losing my little Hannah. I thought I would surely die. It is very upsetting for one of our critters to have a medical problem. |
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06-26-2010, 11:29 PM
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Hi Princessbelle,
Well, it looks as though you aren't short on love and support for little Bella - folks around here, we LOVE our animals. Totally random tidbit, but I worked as a vet tech for ten years, and my boss said on more than one occasion that his "favorite group" of clients is his gay clients, because as a group we take such good care of our babies. Now, back to your questions. I know as Bella's mom that you're going to be worried no matter what anyone hear says, but hopefully our reassurance can go a long way toward keeping you at least somewhat sane. The procedure is extremely common. Over the course of ten years I probably assisted in dozens of cases. Several have mentioned the importance of not delaying on eye issues and that is definitely true - eyes can go badly quickly - so you're right in getting it done. I suspect I know which teaching hospital will be taking care of little Bella, and we sent cases there that were fairly complex. She will get excellent care there. As for her age, 5 months is plenty old for surgery. Someone (can't remember who) mentioned maybe getting her spayed at the same time which is a good idea. It'll probably be more expensive there, but will save her a second anesthesia which makes it well worth it. But if they've already got her under... Putting her under with gas anesthesia is just as safe as with an injectable, so no need to worry about that. When we had animals hospitalized for a period of time it was really common for their parents to come for visits. They generally tolerate it well. Most of the time they'd get just a tad upset when the owners left but nothing extreme. I imagine the vet will tell you after the first visit if it is too much for her. In this case, I think it is very appropriate to visit, even if it is mostly for your benefit, assuming the pet handles it well. One thing clients often did was bring a t-shirt or something with their smell on it, thinking that it may provide some comfort. Who knows if it does, but it certainly doesn't hurt anything. I imagine most hospitals allow this. Obviously she has lots of folks rooting for her. Keep us posted. Bella sounds like a very loved (and probably spoiled)  Quote:
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06-27-2010, 12:02 AM
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we had a collie mix that had glaucoma and eventually lost both her eyes. She didn't lose any of her spirit though and often people didn't know she was blind until we told them.
Also she had an awful fright of cages. We voiced this to the vet and when ever she was there they never put her in a cage .. just put her on a leash and let her lie on the floor. Then of course everyone would give her some love as they passed by. I bring that up to say if you have concerns voice them to the vet I'm sure they will know the best way to accomodate the situation. sorry your baby is going through this. I definitely know it's hard. |
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06-27-2010, 12:44 AM
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Not to worry you further but I would check (now) to see if all of her immunizations are up to date - ie. kennel cough and distemper. I adopted Scooby at the humane society and he came home with kennel cough. With her being so young and having to have surgery plus having to stay there for five days I wouldn't want her immune system to be comprimised with an infection.
I would guess that she has to stay there for a week because she'll have to wear one of those halo guards. I would certainly go and visit, although I would go in calm and cool, like no worries because dogs do pick up on our energy. I have no doubt she will be thrilled to see you and for a little bit she will be with her person. The vet schools are really good at taking care of animals and while it is scary to put your beloved pet under, she will come out healthy and well from this. Have some faith, visit her and keep us updated on her progress! ~~~shark~~~~~~~~
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06-27-2010, 08:17 PM
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Are you getting her fixed at the same time? Something I do for all my furkids is to leave with them one of their soft toys, and a blanket of theirs. It is just some comfort to them. When Dino was so sick the last time, I was at the vet hospital with him from 8am to 9pm. I sat on a rolling chair in front of his cage, and talked to him. We both slept together, and my vet and all the techs were shocked with this. I don't think they realized how attached we are. It just really helped both Dino and myself. Afterwards I sent the staff a fruit basket. And I gave the night nurse a tea pot she wanted from a local coffee/tea shop in town. She would rock and sing lulabies to Dino after I left. A previous patient donated a rocking chair to the vet hospital. The night nurse rocks the small animals when they are afraid, or just needing to have a mommy or daddy around. She fills that role beautifully. |
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