Late night vibes needed

Cinnamontoast

Cinnamontoast

Fais pas chier!
Joined
6 July 2010
Messages
36,433
Visit site
palo1 said:
Vet has just rung to say a very long and difficult surgery has been successful. I am hoping to go and collect Red for the night a bit later. Surgery was difficult in part due to Red hiding his bladder away under his pelvis and due to his bladder containing a 'huge' number of stones. Horrible, horrible Irish Terrier androgen dependent cystine type III stones!!! It was clear earlier this evening that he was really really struggling and vet says he looks happier even after surgery than he did beforehand. Castration was simple thankfully and that will stop any new stones. Gawd. I have barely eaten or slept for 2 days and vet telling me my little brillo pad friend was ok has left me very shaky. We have a way to go yet with recovery but a big hurdle has been cleared I think.

Thank you to everyone's kind thoughts and vibes - I cannot tell you how much it has meant that you all cared enough about Red to post and it has really helped me to stay positive when I have been so anxious. Really, truly, a huge thank you!! I will update with a post op report. Smiling for the first time since Saturday afternoon. :)
Click to expand...

That has made me tear up. I’m really happy to read this. Fingers crossed for a swift recovery for the wee one (and for your nerves!)
 
P

palo1

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2012
Messages
6,842
Visit site
Tiddlypom said:
So pleased that the surgery went well, even if it was very tricky.

How is he this morning?
Click to expand...

We have just been in for a post op check and vet is delighted with him. Scars looking good and he is bright and perky in himself - remarkably so considering what he has been through. He has lost a fair chunk of weight and looks tired for a young dog so is on the sofa, sleeping with plenty of pain relief! Hopefully we are on an upward trajectory now!
 
N

NinjaPony

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 March 2011
Messages
3,108
Visit site
Really glad that he’s come through and is feeling better- poor boy, what an ordeal for you both!

I had a bladder stone a few years ago now and it was pain like I’ve never felt before and hope to never feel again so it must be a huge relief for him to have had them taken out.
 
P

palo1

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2012
Messages
6,842
Visit site
Errin Paddywack said:
So pleased he is on the mend but what a steep learning curve for both you and the vet. I had never heard of a thing like this so a useful bit of information.
Click to expand...

Yes, the practice vets and nurses have all said they have found it fascinating though they may never see another case! Still it adds to the veterinary knowledge and skill available and it also reinforces my belief that the specialist knowledge and experience of passionate 'amateurs' (ie the breed society) is an incredibly valuable resource. I am hugely grateful to all the Irish Terrier people who have been able to advise, send veterinary/scientific papers and experiences my way as they have informed both me and the vets.

On a side note I really feel for my vet who late on a Saturday evening was confronted with an emergency condition that she could not have anticipated needing to know about nor would have learnt about or encountered before. Even though she technically mis-diagnosed what was going on she did all the right things to keep my dog going whilst she researched etc. The senior vet told me she had been upset and had absolutely vowed the practice would do anything they could for my dog but really she should not feel bad. It is sad that a really decent vet might feel that way tbh. In any case she was able to see the op through and she will get a lovely card from Red and I.

ETA - mis-diagnosed purely because of the lack of specialist imaging - she certainly took on board the potential condition that I had suggested we might be dealing with and spent part of her day on Sunday researching that! I couldn't have asked for more.
 
P

Pearlsasinger

Up in the clouds
Joined
20 February 2009
Messages
47,255
Location
W. Yorks
Visit site
palo1 said:
Yes, the practice vets and nurses have all said they have found it fascinating though they may never see another case! Still it adds to the veterinary knowledge and skill available and it also reinforces my belief that the specialist knowledge and experience of passionate 'amateurs' (ie the breed society) is an incredibly valuable resource. I am hugely grateful to all the Irish Terrier people who have been able to advise, send veterinary/scientific papers and experiences my way as they have informed both me and the vets.

On a side note I really feel for my vet who late on a Saturday evening was confronted with an emergency condition that she could not have anticipated needing to know about nor would have learnt about or encountered before. Even though she technically mis-diagnosed what was going on she did all the right things to keep my dog going whilst she researched etc. The senior vet told me she had been upset and had absolutely vowed the practice would do anything they could for my dog but really she should not feel bad. It is sad that a really decent vet might feel that way tbh. In any case she was able to see the op through and she will get a lovely card from Red and I.

ETA - mis-diagnosed purely because of the lack of specialist imaging - she certainly took on board the potential condition that I had suggested we might be dealing with and spent part of her day on Sunday researching that! I couldn't have asked for more.
Click to expand...



40 years ago a very experienced vet sent my cat home with anti-biotics, asking me to bring him back in 3 days. He had to go back the following day, even though he was very good at taking the a-b's. Vet told me it was a good job I had taken him back when I did because any longer and the bladder would probably have ruptured. He needed to be catheterised because of 'cystitis' and yet, even then, it was a fairly common condition in cats. He was never able to eat dried food again. At least now your vet practice will recognise a similar condition in another dog.
 
P

palo1

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2012
Messages
6,842
Visit site
Pearlsasinger said:
40 years ago a very experienced vet sent my cat home with anti-biotics, asking me to bring him back in 3 days. He had to go back the following day, even though he was very good at taking the a-b's. Vet told me it was a good job I had taken him back when I did because any longer and the bladder would probably have ruptured. He needed to be catheterised because of 'cystitis' and yet, even then, it was a fairly common condition in cats. He was never able to eat dried food again. At least now your vet practice will recognise a similar condition in another dog.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think the problem was for my vet that this particular kind of stones are really rare, and testosterone related as well as being blooming difficult to image with normal scanning machines! If she meets another Irish Terrier with the problem she will ace it though lol! Although I did tell her about the condition neither of us knew what that might look like on her scanner and there is no reason why a small animal practice would have that technology to hand I don't think.
 
P

palo1

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2012
Messages
6,842
Visit site
Thank you so much to each and every poster who took the time to comment; it has so helped me get through a horrible experience. I am relieved more than I have words to convey that I have my Red dog still with me - increasingly perky too!! I know that if the worst had happened though, there would be support and understanding that I would have very much needed here and that means a lot to me. I would try to post a pic of little Red, Irish Terrier but I am distinctly wobbly from lack of sleep and anxiety so that will have to wait. Red will be in his basket tonight (this morning at 3 am I was hugely delighted to see him realise that I had put his bed in front of the fire - he was just clearly made up to be able to stumble in and go to sleep properly) and I will be back in my own bed with my OH who has been so incredibly supportive. I am not sure how much sense it makes to love an animal so much but I do know that for many of us it is unavoidable. I know too my life is so much richer for that connection in spite of potential heartbreak. Thank you everyone for understanding.
 
Rumtytum

Rumtytum

Have Marmite, will travel
Joined
12 November 2017
Messages
21,336
Location
South Oxfordshire
Visit site
What a lovely post Palo. The collective power of warmth and good wishes is underrated and I’m pleased it helped you through (I’m sure it helped Red too!).
Enjoy your return to your own bed, hope you sleep really well because I’m looking forward very much to the promised photos of Red.
 
TwyfordM

TwyfordM

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 December 2013
Messages
5,108
Visit site
So happy he’s pulled through ?
My little JR x chi has issues with bladder stones, two ops to remove and is on a special diet now which seems to have kept them at bay ?? The look of stress on their faces when they can’t pee is absolutely awful
 
Cinnamontoast

Cinnamontoast

Fais pas chier!
Joined
6 July 2010
Messages
36,433
Visit site
palo1 said:
Thank you so much to each and every poster who took the time to comment; it has so helped me get through a horrible experience. I am relieved more than I have words to convey that I have my Red dog still with me - increasingly perky too!! I know that if the worst had happened though, there would be support and understanding that I would have very much needed here and that means a lot to me. I would try to post a pic of little Red, Irish Terrier but I am distinctly wobbly from lack of sleep and anxiety so that will have to wait. Red will be in his basket tonight (this morning at 3 am I was hugely delighted to see him realise that I had put his bed in front of the fire - he was just clearly made up to be able to stumble in and go to sleep properly) and I will be back in my own bed with my OH who has been so incredibly supportive. I am not sure how much sense it makes to love an animal so much but I do know that for many of us it is unavoidable. I know too my life is so much richer for that connection in spite of potential heartbreak. Thank you everyone for understanding.
Click to expand...

I completely empathise. The absolute hysterics here on Thursday must have terrified Bear. The crazy turnaround has seen him permanently attached since then.

Our pets get into our hearts really easily and they enhance our lives so much. No wonder we're devastated when they go. I'm over the moon for you, Palo. Little Red is back where he belongs.
 
M

misst

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 January 2008
Messages
6,035
Visit site
Oh my goodness I have just seen this thread as not been on for a couple of days. It made nailbiting reading! I am so pleased he pulled through for you but what strikes me is that in your awful situation you still had compassion for your vet. It is so refreshing to see this relationship between as it should be - a cooperative team working for your dog. So often when things are difficult there is name calling and insults. A really heartwarming thread with a happy ending. Please give red a big but gentle pat from me. You (and OH) deserve a large bottle of your choice :)
How wonderful to have such an open minded and focused vet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top