Today was the big day!! We gave her tranquilizers at 5 a.m. to help reduce her anxiety. It seemed to work – she was pretty chill! We dropped her off at 7 a.m. and were told her surgery was first thing in the morning. We left her with a bag of all her favorite foods and a T Shirt (as suggested by some of the great Tripawds members). She wasn’t thrilled and at first decided that she was not going to walk back with the nurse, she was going to walk out with us lol. They put this little ribbon leash around her neck and I’m thinking to myself, even drugged that’s not going to move her (I was right)! So I pretended like I was walking with the nurse then tried to do some sly maneuver which didn’t work. But eventually she headed back. It was so sad but I held it together and told her what a great day it was for her – she was getting rid of the nasty leg that had been causing her pain and would soon start a whole new chapter of her life! I think she was calmer because I was calmer.
By noon I still hadn’t heard anything so I called, waited on hold and was eventually told there was no one available to talk to me yet! Talk about ANXIETY! Anyway, the surgeon called me back a little while later and told me that Maddie did very well – the surgery was routine, no surprises. Lymph node looked good (but it was being sent for a biopsy) and that she was starting to wake up. He also said she would be sent home with the same meds she has been taking (Tramadol, Gabapentin and Deramaxx) because he used a long-acting anesthetic (this was a surprise because we never talked about it). He said he felt that it gives better pain management and helps reduce the amount of narcotics she will need to be on. He knows the most important thing is her comfort and I do trust him (despite my anxiety) so I know she’s in good hands. She’s in an ICU that is staffed 24/7 with doctors and nurses so if she is in any kind of distress, they’ll take care of it. I was hoping she would get to come home tomorrow but the doctor said it may need to be Thursday. We’re all okay with that as long as she is okay. I am so glad her surgery is over. I pray she is calm and not frightened. I just wish I could fast forward thru all the discomfort for her.
Sounds like everything went great! Hang in there, she’ll be home with you soon, getting comfortable and working toward her new normal. Sending positive energy to you both <3
I think so – I’m wondering what the long acting anesthetic is he was talking about. I was so happy to hear from him that I didn’t ask all the questions I should have asked. How is your baby doing today? I hope she’s still doing well. Fallon inspires Maddie!!!
Just dropped my black lab off for same. So sad. Nice to read your story.
It is sad. I hope your doggie does well. It’s very scary and not an easy decision.
GOOD JOB MAGGIE GIRL!!
Irs not unusual at all for a sog to stay more than one night, especially the bigger pups. I know it’s hard to not have her home yet, but she’ll be snuggling with you in no time!
Not sure about the “longlasting anesthetic”. Are you sure he didn’t give her a long lasting pain injection? Anyway, whatever the Vet did it seems to be working.
TRY and get some rest! Maggis is in great hands and being watched over very well. Plis, she’s still seeing pink elephants and hsve a blast!
I may have already me tioned this, but when you go to pick her up, don’t even bother to look at her incision. She wontw be! ‘She,’ll be looking at yiur smiling face telling her what a good girl she is and she’ll just want to go home!! Good girl Maggie!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
We’ll wait for your update tomorrow.