Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 2 year old dog Berkley had to undergo stomach surgery after I brought him into the vet Saturday and they discovered that he had eaten some sort of bone that was splintering in his stomach. The surgery went good but was a long process. I went to check on him today and the vet informed me that he has spiked a fever of 103.3 today, they put him on medication that dropped it down to 102.2 pretty quickly. They informed me that he isn't out of the clear yet and that if we wanted to bring him home that he wouldn't survive. I am just wondering on opinions from you guys, I am clearly leaving him there to continue to improve. Do vets tend to over worry people, or try to keep them there longer for money purposes. I am thinking worst case scenario because this dog is my whole world, I just don't know what I am supposed to be thinking.....
Thank you
Cortney B.
Hi Cortney and Berkley, welcome. Sorry about your dog's stomach surgery, ouch! Glad he got care though and we hope he comes home soon.
We've met a lot of vets since founding Tripawds in 2006 and can't think of one who is in the field for money. They do it because they love animals and want to help them feel good. Being scientists, yes they are cautious for sure and sometimes the cost of cautiousness hurts our wallets but better safe than sorry I say.
It sounds to me like you don't have a good relationship with your vet, and that's not unheard of, not everyone gets along with everyone. A trusting relationship is critical so once Berkley is healed, why not start your search for a new vet? Here are some tools to help you get started:
Dr. Kay’s 12 Things to Expect from Your Vet
Understand Vetspeak with Speaking For Spot
We're sending lots of healing thoughts to Berkley! How did he lose his leg? Any other questions we can help you with?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is the first time that we have used this vet before and so I was just curious on how this goes. I was hoping that he wouldn't be in it for the money. At this point honestly I don't even care what it costs I just want my dog to be okay. He really worried us stating that if we took him home he wouldn't survive. Do you think that is because we wouldn't have the tools at home to monitor if he were to go into a fever or not? I know the surgery was quite intense. Berkley went for a walk today and we took him out while we were there and he tried to run to our car to go home. It doesn't seem that he is doing all that bad except for the fever being 103.3, but they were able to bring that down. My husband and I always think of the worst that could happen and so I was just looking for some advice on what I should be thinking at this point?
Thanks again!
Ah. I would ask your vet why they said that, seems to be the best way to find out what they meant.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Berkley...and Mom and Dad!
It does sound like Berkeley is getting good care. The fact that he is up and moving this soon after surgery is good.
I would think that stomach surgery requires a lot of monitoring, as well as the importance of keeping his fever down and knocking out any potential infection.
I do think sometimes vets give a "worse case scenario" , not just as a way of letting us know a situation is serious, but to sort of "cover the bases" of every possibility.
I would not hesitate to call the vet though and let him know how concerned/scared you are as a result of his comment. Did the vet say that, or a staff member? Anyway, I would just ask what ki d of treatment he will be receiving ....fluids, IV antibiotic, etc. His is tummy able to handle food at this point? I think you'll feel more reassured to know that they are doing everything possible to ensure that Berkeley has a smooth recovery and, should any complications happen, they are ready to handle them.
I like Merry's suggestion once you get Berkley home and recovering to seek out another vet.
Keep us posted, okay?
Sending lots of positive healing energy to your sweet Berkley!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi ~
I wonder, too if maybe, since it was stomach surgery, they might have been worried about bowel function? Maybe they wanted to make sure that they kept a really close eye on Berkley in case the intestines could twist? It's a possibility after abdominal surgery sometimes. It's hard when you don't already have a relationship built with a vet, of course you're worried, that's normal, and you want him home with you, that's normal, too. Sometimes what doesn't seem like much of a big deal to a lay person, can be the beginning of something more to medical people. However, they could have explained that to you a little bit better. Hopefully in the morning they'll call you and say that everything is looking better and you can take him home!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
I would like to add that the vet can monitor things we can't. For example, the vet told me that sometime after Mona woke up from her amputation surgery they saw her heart rate increase which meant that she was likely in pain so they increased the pain meds. We don't have that type of equipment at home. The vet even took her home to his house to monitor her overnight. The next day he felt confident she could go home.
I hope Berkley can go home with you tomorrow.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
When my Shelby had her spleen out and her amps ... they did monitor lots of things that I could not at home. I trusted my vet and their guidance but they also answered any questions that I had. I am sure there are other levels, heart rate, etc that need to be monitored but I would definitely ask.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
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