the big N

[bassackwardsinMI]

Prayers for buddy today please... both that he will be fine and that he won't hate me for too long after this.. I dropped him off this morning to get neutered and all his shots. Can you believe he came from a breeder and never even got puppy shots? I know a lot of you out there breed, and I am glad for it, but more than that I appreciate how responsibly you care for your pups too...
I am trying to put on a happy face but can't get over the time when I was 14 and lost a kitty to a declaw op. at the vet.. guess she had a heart prob that went undiagnosed, and never recovered from the anesthesia. The good news is that we don't have to leave him overnight.. she said we can pick him up just before 6, and that will have plenty of time for him to recover. She did say they could keep him overnight for no extra charge- I am torn about that. Part of me thinks he should stay just to be watched by someone who has a clue, but part of me thinks he'll be more comfy here at home sleeping next to my bed on my (his now...) cubbie pillows... been home half an hour and miss him already!! That's ok, have to go to the dreaded wal-mart for the grocery stock up, and will get him a nice big chewey while I'm there! ;D

[Southern Bassets]

I'm sure everything will be just fine.
But I know how you must be worried! That's your baby after all.


[glow=red,2,300]GET WELL SOON BUDDY[/glow]

Yes I’m a breeder but I find it totally inexcusable for that breeder not to have given them at a very minimum their 6 weeks shots! I would guess no worming either? Did the puppies get a “Wellcheck” from the vet? I hate to hear this sort of thing. So much could have went bad for all the puppies.

It’s a good thing Buddy got a good home now.
Give him lots of love for all of us!

[JoAnn]

I find it totally unexcusable that his breeder was so negligent. Thank doG he is with you now and getting the attention he deserves. I know how hard it is to drop our babies off at the vet and then come home and wait.

When we rescued Ben we got him on a Friday afternoon and Monday he was at the vets being "tutored". They did keep him overnight just to watch him. One of hubby's buddys came over that evening wanting to see Ben. Hubby told him that Ben wasn't behaving and I sent him off to be neutered. He then told his buddy he better behave as I wasn't someone to mess with and I would do the same to him. Needless to say I have gained a reputation and his buddys are always on their best behavior around me.

I am sure your Buddy will do just fine and be happier and healthier for it.

Hang in there and give him a gentle hug from me when you get him home.

[Lexie]

Any news on Buddy? I'm sure he will be fine, I just had Lexie spayed a few weeks ago so I know your fear. Keep us posted!

[bassackwardsinMI]

Well, he is home okay... thanks all for your support! But now I am worried about him- I don't know if I am being an overprotective mommy or what, but I swear something just isn't right (and not THAT thing, LOL) He is NOT whining (which is a switch for him, he is soo spoiled) but he is shivering or has tremors or something, and is laying in odd places. He won't eat or drink, and when I go to him he leans his head on me, and it sounds stupid, but I just know that means he is saying " mom I don't feel good". The vet said he should be fine by today, and when I told them what is going on, they just said to give him some buffered aspirin, and if he isn't better by tomorrow to take him in. I know my hubby thinks I am over-anxious about it all, but he also thinks stitches are for wimps, lol... I am going to try the aspirin, but if he doesn't come around some after that I'm going to MAKE them see him!
I am just wondering about the vet- we live in a small town, and there are not a lot of choices here, unless you have dairy cattle... I chose to go with this place because they are close by and have emergency services too, but the way Buddy was oohed and ahhed at yesterday, I am left believing they havent treated any bassetts- I don't knopw... I guess I am a worry wart
advice, advice....(please!)

[Southern Bassets]

I called my vet (great guy) and asked him what he thought. Of course he can't say for sure without seeing your baby (they always say that) but he did say everything sounded normal for Post Op Surgery? And to keep a close eye on Buddy and pay special attention to him not dehydrating.
Buddy may need a little more then water? You should be giving him Electrolytes such as contained in Gatorade. (see the paragraph below)

Please look over what I found on this and ask ask ask! ! !

Give Buddy a big old huge for me.

=============================

After Surgery
It's amazing how most of our patients recover to normalcy after just one or two days after surgery. Often after just a couple of hours. Sometimes in under an hour. It depends on the type of anesthesia and surgery.

But it's still important to take some sensible precautions:

Don't feed for at least 4 hours after surgery and feed small amounts at a time for the first day. Don't feed "special treats" that are hard to digest (like PIZZA and TABLE SCRAPS) as part of your post surgery pampering.
Sometimes a special diet will be recommended during recovery.

Consider post op electrolyte replacement...either superior veterinary products made specifically for pets that your vet has to dispense...or helpful things like chicken broth, pediatric solutions, or things like Gatorade.

Encourage, or force if needed, REST. Don't play rough or active games. Walk on a leash. etc. Consider with you vet whether or not tranquilizers might be appropriate for your dog if an over active type.

Expect a little inflammation or swelling, but call your vet or come in for a recheck if you think something is obviously wrong with the incision site or anything else about the patient for that matter. For you to know if there's a problem...take a close look at the incision on a twice daily basis for at least the first few days.

Keep the incision clean. Squirt with a gentle antiseptic 2-3 times daily for the first few days. Hydrogen peroxide is fine for most incisions. I prefer chlorhexidine for sites with high risk of infections such as abscess wounds, draining incisions etc. Your vet will automatically give you a wound cleaning topical prep if it's needed. Keep your post op patient in a clean area. Keep flies away.

Consider extra pain relief.
At our clinic, we routinely use a pretty potent pain medication combination (acepromazine, xylazine and Telazol) prior to surgery that has fairly good lasting effect. but for surgeries where I must cut through muscle or bone or handle intestines or bladder, I'll recommend Rimydal or Ectogesic to give for a few days after surgery. Other vets use different combinations to achieve excellent pain control and may recommend one of the different post op pain medications available.

We usually don't recommend aspirin or Tylenol though, as they cause side effects we want to avoid after surgery such as reduced clotting. (Also; go to our page on poisons if you don't already know that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is potentially deadly to cats.)
You might want to spend the small amount these meds cost for a few days just to make sure your pet is more comfortable even after less traumatic surgeries such as spaying and castrations etc. They are very safe, new, non -steroid medications normally used for arthritic discomfort but turn out to be great post surgery pain drugs.

Consider buying a restrictive or elizabethian collar if needed to stop your pet from excessive wound licking.
Consider a little extra love and time and affection spent with your recovering patient...maybe a new stuffed toy ...after all, your pet may be a little anxious about what's going on.

That's it, except that you need to bring the pet back to remove sutures 10-14 days after the surgery unless dissolvable sutures or surgical glue was used.

[bassackwardsinMI]

thank you thank you thank you for all your help! I wondered about giving him the aspirin like the vet said... but I am glad to hear that it sounds normal- my vet couldn't explain the tremors and that is what bothers me most... they said it may just be pain... but my hubby didn't do that, LMAO... I will keep watching him and try with a little chicken broth too... my vet didn't give me that idea and I am worried about how little liquid he has taken in the last day or so, and maybe that will help with the tremors too, know how ya get shakey when you need food?
I will get an update posted after a few more hours and let you know... thanks again!!!

[BoomersMom]

I had Boomer neutered. He didn't hate me afterwards, in fact, I made sure I wasn't the one to drop him off, but pick him up ;D However, afterward we gave Boomer Rimadyl as a pain medicine and that really helped him, although he was a bit hyper not lethargic as I was expecting. The first 24 hours he had decreased appetite and kind of had to force the fluids but he recovered with no problems. I agree with the possible side effects of Aspirin, although Tylenol does not cause clotting problems. I was a human nurse and we gave tylenol postoperatively, not aspirin. I do know that after surgery the body can become a bit shockey and that with pain issues can cause some of the tremor, shaking problems which is why I wanted Boomer to have pain meds (of course not every animal responds to medicine the same).

Please let us know how Buddy is doing. He should definitely be doing better by tonight.

[Southern Bassets]

You're very welcome.
Yes I'd say just keep a close eye on him, get some liquids down him and a little pain reliever.

Maybe run to the store and try some liquid aspirin so it would be easier to get in him. And don’t forget the pediolite? He should like that cause they have so many different flavors?

Please let us know how Buddy is doing?

[bassackwardsinMI]

again, I wonder what I would do without the help and support of you folks. I gave him a little warm beef broth, and if nothing else it made him thirsty and he had some water. After that he perked right up- not to 100% mind you, but the tremors have ceased and we even went on a short, slow walk to the mailbox and back, and he had a chance to relieve himself in some of his favorite spots, LOL...
When we came back in he had more water, and even about 1/2 cup of dog food (yeah! and not too much, no bloat worries)
So, I think he is on the mend. He has taken begging back up, and is whining if not pet 24/7, which tells me life will soon be back to normal ;D
Again, thanks for all your help. I wondered about acetominophen liquid.... how much would you give him? I have some for the boys, is it the same dosage for his weight that you would give a kid? He weighs 43lbs. (the same as my 4 1/2 yr old, exactly...LOL
I think all will be well soon, and sorry if I sounded overprotective...I knowall about how to handle boys, lol, but this is my first bassett boy! ;-)

[Southern Bassets]

Wow that's really good news!

I noticed that you said Buddy is a Whiner?
Oh Harley is a BIG whiner! Drives me up the wall. haha..

As far as the liquid acetaminophen all I know on that is they always tell you to give them ONE aspirin so I guess how ever much equals up to one? Better less then too much but we still want to relieve the pain too.

So glad to hear Buddy doing better and is getting some water inside of him.

Going home now but I will check in tonight to see how he is.

[BoomersMom]

I think whining is inherent in Basset's. I just got it cause Boomer want in my lap. mind you this is a 40 lbs basset anyway, glad to hear about Buddy. I understand about being protective about our boys.
Have a great day all
Debby

[Southern Bassets]

How is Buddy?

Oh I wanted to tell you Debbie I had to resize your photo on your profile. Hope you don't mind.
Lonnie

[BoomersMom]

Not at all, he looks better, ;D thanks

[Dotti]

Be careful on the asprin.... I had tried giving it a few times to Susie for her arthritis... and after only two or three days she got REALLY sick and threw up all day... finally I wised up and figured out I was not helping her! She was sooo sick poor baby.

And this was the buffered stuff. I guess all dogs are different.

Dot