Little Gifts Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Inka I'm not sure I mentioned this earlier but years ago I had a young sbt rescue who started whelping the day she was left in my care. She seemed to know something was wrong and kept sitting on anything trying to come out so she went in, got a calcium shot to encourage contractions then ended up having an emergency ceasar as 2 pups were stuck (and deceased) in the birth canal. They had to make a very large incision. She wasn't desexed at the same time as she was left with me for babysitting at that time and was supposed to only be suffering from a phantom pregnancy! She didn't seem to notice the surgery pain and I had to watch her from rolling and jumping and running around. Three days later her stitches gave way (apparently a bad batch of cat gut) and all her innards were becoming outards. My sister, her boyfriend, myself and the vet's wife were all there in the surgery late one night helping the vet put her back together with the most ginormous stitches. Her poor belly was a mess. It had all just unravelled. She came home with me that night and it seemed too painful for her to lie down and she was asleep sitting up so I slept upright with her leaning against my back that first night and most of the next day because I couldn't think of what else to do. After that she was more comfortable lying down. So go with what your gut is telling you about your girl. Something is not right for her if the initial pain has not settled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inka3095 Posted May 20, 2013 Author Share Posted May 20, 2013 (edited) Thanks guys. The emergency clinic wasn't the same one as the clinic I had her desexed at so I am just waiting for that phone call.... I'll harass them in about half an hour if I haven't heard I think because my girl is still just standing on her bed, staring at the wall... I was told he'd call as soon as he finished up with his consult but I'm starting to think that isn't going to be the case :*( That's a terrible story LG I haven't had much luck with desexing ops in the past either; I was already paranoid before Cinder's experience - my most recent foster did her best to gut herself but ripping out all the stitches despite having an appropriately fitted and sized E-collar on... I was at work and came home to find her lying on her bed with a huge puddle of blood underneath her... vet trip and sedation for her, and placed with the owner of the foster group until she was healed enough to come back to me as I work full time and can't do much about that. One before that got a nasty infection too... I hate this surgery so much. Edited May 20, 2013 by Inka3095 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 If she still looks ghastly in pain and unhappy call them back and pack her in the car and tell them you're on your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 (edited) +1. Something's not right, and you're entitled to be her advocate - who else is going to worry about her if not you. Trust your instincts. And good luck to you and your girl - hope it's sorted soon. ETF typo Edited May 20, 2013 by Tassie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I would put her in the car, march down there and plonk in the waiting room as an emergency and just say she needs to be seen. No reasonable person would begrudge an emergency case running their appointment late and if they do it's their problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Thanks guys. The emergency clinic wasn't the same one as the clinic I had her desexed at so I am just waiting for that phone call.... I'll harass them in about half an hour if I haven't heard I think because my girl is still just standing on her bed, staring at the wall... I was told he'd call as soon as he finished up with his consult but I'm starting to think that isn't going to be the case :*( That's a terrible story LG I haven't had much luck with desexing ops in the past either; I was already paranoid before Cinder's experience - my most recent foster did her best to gut herself but ripping out all the stitches despite having an appropriately fitted and sized E-collar on... I was at work and came home to find her lying on her bed with a huge puddle of blood underneath her... vet trip and sedation for her, and placed with the owner of the foster group until she was healed enough to come back to me as I work full time and can't do much about that. One before that got a nasty infection too... I hate this surgery so much. Did you use the same vet clinic every time ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inka3095 Posted May 20, 2013 Author Share Posted May 20, 2013 Nope, I've moved all over Victoria the last 4 years so each has been with a different clinic. I'm the only link... lol I waited for his call and didn't get it, so I went down there to talk to him. He told me he wasn't even a little bit concerned, the surgery was textbook, great close, nothing wrong. All behavioural. Upped the painkillers and gave me a vetwrap after I asked for it. The end. We will see.... if she doesn't improve he'll hear about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Time for another vet .... I think, if she is uncomfortable lying down ..being wrapped will also be painful/upsetting .... Even if it is behavioural .. she needs checking to verify it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I would expect even if she does have a very low pain tolerance that she should improve if only a little each day. Dogs ( and other animals) can have allergic reactions to suture and other materials used, something like that may be going on. If she isn't improving by tomorrow I would see a different vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Agree with all of the above. He is sounding quick to dismiss. Whilst it may have been a textbook case, postoperative complications can and do happen which is why the dog needs review if it is still troubled/pained/not getting better. What a nightmare for you both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 (edited) I don't see what she would be getting out of the way she is behaving, she looks absolutely miserable and in a lot of pain. I know dogs can feign limps etc to get attention, but standing up constantly like that? I don't see what benefit she could be getting out of behaving that way, and the vet seems very dismissive. If you hadn't gone down would he have even called you back I wonder? It's obvious you are worried and doing all the right things, but if that were my dog I would be getting a second opinion. Did he actually examine her or just tell you he thought it was behavioural? Edited May 20, 2013 by Aussie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 My Lab was in pain for the first 2 days after her surgery, and needed oral painkillers to settle enough to get some unbroken sleep - but she was ok to lie down on her own. She also developed a reaction to the external sutures which had to be drained a couple of times during the 10 days post op, but she was fine in every other respect by day 3... If your girl doesn't get some much needed lying down sleep tonight, I'd be going to the emergency vet again as soon as they open (business hours - marginally cheaper consult fee) and asking for some answers... and tell them which other vet did the surgery - he may have a history of post op complications, and just won't admit it to a customer. "Textbook surgery" just doesn't cut it when a dog is so miserable 4-5 days post op - you should be trying to stop her bouncing around like a loon by this point, not panicking that she is in pain and you can't help her feel better. Demand they check her out thoroughly before shooing you out the door with a pat on the head and a dent in your hip pocket. In the meantime, if she is still not wanting to lie down and is falling asleep upright - try putting some cushions or pillows stacked up to her chest for her to lean into and stop falling on her face. Maybe a couple of pillows attached to the inside of her crate will also give her something soft to lean against too. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alibi Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I would put her in the car and get her checked over, at least see what her temperature is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Yet another typical vet thinks they know everything but don't want to listen to their clients. My old poodle was desexed at 11months all went well no complications but a bit of redness and swelling. At 3 1/2 she started to become incontinent while sleeping, not long after the infections started. For 5 years we went through hell, we tried every incontinence medication on the market, she was on and off antibiotics continuously in that time to the point they stopped working, we had phone consults with specialists from overseas, every vet in the clinic had tried to work out what was wrong, we were so close to euthanising when a new vet in the clinic did an ultrasound and found a 'stump pyometra' She went straight under and the vets found she had not been desexed properly, an inch too much of what should have been removed had been left behind and was continually getting infected. Sorry for the long post but don't assume because it is routine surgery and no problem can been seen on the outside, that there is nothing wrong. I spent so many years having vets tell me I was mad and over reacting and if I hadn't pursued it my girl wouldn't be here at 12 years old fit and healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 My vet told me that dogs don't fake pain- if they show pain, they are in pain. It's not like she has a history of surgery and knows that showing pain will get her attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Is there a totally different emergency clinic you can take her too? A different practice may not feel the need to back up the operating vet and investigate properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaM Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I actually had a fellow exhibitor tell me a scary story about his Cavalier who had an operation, he had the dissolvable stitches done and a couple of days later he collapsed... Turns out the stitches DID in fact dissolve and his insides went everywhere, a severe infection and many weeks of life support later. You might need to think about having her re-opened up to check that this is not a similar situation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andisa Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I would be going to another vet, don't be surprised if they need to open her back up again. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Avanti* Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Poor girl. I'd try and get her seen tonight if its been that long. Could you get to the Lort Smith maybe? They have an after hours service until midnight and might admit her if needed. https://lortsmith.com/index.php/hospital-46566/veterinary-care-75460 Hugs to you and Cinders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inka3095 Posted May 20, 2013 Author Share Posted May 20, 2013 Thanks so much for your replies and care everyone. My dog is very lucky she has the DOL community I can come to for advice :) :) I'm so relieved tonight because I think we've turned the corner. She's not 100% but she greeted me at the door with a toy in her mouth when I got home from work and my bf said she was LYING DOWN for a while in her pen and actually sleeping, not just trying to lick and scratch at herself. She's standing next to me leaning on my leg at the moment but again, it's better than how she has been, and in herself she seems more relaxed. I'll keep the pain meds up tomorrow at least and see how she goes with a slow wean. It's hard to know what really caused what, but I'm sure some of it was behavioural/breed related but I agree with you guys that she just has a very low pain threshold and simply couldn't cope with what was happening to her. She's taken years off my life this weekend but tonight I'm hoping I can actually get some sleep myself and stop panicking about her dropping dead from exhaustion or overwhelming sepsis. I'll keep you updated, but yeah, I was a little annoyed with the dismissive attitude of the vet to be honest. He didn't even ask me if she was eating and drinking ok, which would be fairly important you'd think.. I dunno, I'm sure he knows what he's talking about, but still.... Never mind, anti-inflammatories and pain pills for a couple more days then hopefully all will be back to normal and we can put this behind us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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