AnnaBelle still sore...foxtail??

I am an animal doctor.

While anesthesia should never be taken lightly and can be a stress on certain organs, with modern anesthetic protocols the chances of losing even a 14 year old dog 'on the table' for such a procedure are quite remote, certainly in the less than one in 1500 range.

So be cool for Annabelle's sake, (Shelties aren't happy when their owners are distressed), extra hugs are fine but relax(as best you can) and let the veterinarians do their work. - Dr. Mac
 
Thank you Dr. Mac,

I am feeling better. You are right.

I worked in a kennel for a short time many years ago, and my memory of that time is scarred by a unhappy ending to a puppy that he put "under" to crop it's ears...and have been paranoid ever since. I am sure that it may have been an unsound animal, or whatever, but I need to trust my vet. Yesterday Dr. Sebby told me and a friend who accompanied me for support that "gases today are very reliable" and he wouldn't be administering very much, or something like that.

Oh! But the vet that I saw first, a few weeks ago, also told me she would not risk putting Anna "under at her age" . I just remembered that. But that was a one time deal... she had never seen Anna before. I didn't feel connected to her. I think now I was judging" a bit harshly.

Anyway, I don't have many choices. It must be done. So I will do my best to be calm....

Thank you for your posts. Does the wound look like anything you are familiar with?
 
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I don't think you are being paranoid. When I took Emma in for her spay, knowing she had a heart murmur, the vet gave her hydromorphon. This acted like a very strong sedative and they had trouble waking her up. The vet refused to do the spay. Granted, she is a fairly new vet, but even the senior vet who I had taken Noah to for 9 years couldn't figure it out. The first vet absolutely refused to do the spay, saying she would rather lose me as a client than to lose Emma. When I did get her spayed by another vet, they did have some slight issues, but they were aware that she needed to go light on the medications.

When I took Liam in for his neuter, I stated very strongly that any medication given to him had to be given as minimal as possible, even though he is MDR1 normal/normal, as is Emma.

If your vet knows your dog and her history, then you know that he will have her best interests at heart and will only give what he needs to give.
 
LadyMcBeth said:
Oh! But the vet that I saw first, a few weeks ago, also told me she would not risk putting Anna "under at her age" . I just remembered that. But that was a one time deal... she had never seen Anna before. I didn't feel connected to her. I think now I was judging" a bit harshly.
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Understand that when we say things like this to owners we are merely saying that all decisions weigh risk versus benefit. For example, you would not anesthetize a 90 year old man with a bad heart to repair a crooked tooth, though you probably would for a healthy 20 year old if necessary, but if the senior's tooth abscessed and ulcerated his face you most certainly would. A patient is never too old to anesthetize, but you would need a more compelling reason.

So what the first veterinarian was telling you was that the situation at that time did not merit anesthesia, but with the poor response to treatment, and lack of answers from less invasive means, that assessment has changed.

- Dr. Mac
 
My friend's beardie recently had a major op and thankfully has recovered well, she is almost 16, so take heart. They also had no other option but hopefully now she's had the op it's given her a whole new lease of life. We're all rooting for you and AnnaBelle!
 
Thank you all for the encouraging and supportive posts. And to The Quahog, who is keeping me focused and less hysterical...lol...you need to send my vet an invoice for services, kind sir.

I am grateful I have a place to voice my worries.

Anna had another good day, and the sore is closed, perhaps due to the wash he gave it yesterday before we left the office. I can't remember what it was... Iodine-something...I was able to get in full does of the antibiotic yesterday and today. I am also giving her a half of a pain medicine, twice a day, it seems to help the limping and her mood was brighter it seemed...maybe I'm being a bit neurotic...I am mixing the opened capsule, plus the half pill, with two tablespoons of wet commercial food... Anna has been very loving and affectionate today also. I think she is responding to my insecurity. She is a cuddle honey, laying on my foot as I type, reassuring me.

Thanks again.
 
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Shelties are very intuitive. They pick up on every nuance of our emotions. I know Emma is extremely good at this as she has proved in the last five months.

Dr. Mac is right. When the condition or problem warrants surgery in human or animal, the risks are weighed and the decision is made as to what is the best course. You will be in my thoughts and prayers on Monday.

Glad the medication is working. Noah was on a short course of prednisone once for an ear infection. Hamish was on a decreasing course over a matter of about 3-4 months after having pancreatitis. There are long-term side effects, but if it is a short-course treatment, then she should be okay.
 
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