Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have a Saint Bernard who had amputation surgery yesterday. Osteosarcoma in her front leg. After surgery, her red blood cell count was really low and fell fast. At first they thought it was Gai bleeding from the Deramaxx, but now they think that she might have lost more blood during surgery than they thought. She had 2 blood transfusions today...they had to pause at one point to stabilize her heart. Her heart is now showing arrhythmia. It was too fast and now has slowed down but has bouts of going fast again. She's had surgeries before and has never had heart issues before.
Has anyone experienced this?
Okay, deep breaths. Your sweet Saint is in the hospital being monitored a d that's the best place for her!
I'm glad she has had a transfusion and they are getting her blood count back up. That's good!!
DONNA, Murphy's Mom, is a human Nurse and maybe she can offer more insight when she sees this.
Sometimes there are challenges like this and the fact that they do have her heartbeat slowing down, even if it's not consistently yet, is a good sign. Getting the transfusion should he@p stabilize things.
I KNOW you are worried and certainly can not blame you! Just like humans, sometimes there are underlying issues that don't show up until surgery. And sometimes the anesthesia can cause unexpected whacky rhings to happen.
Again, I'm so glad she's at the Vets being monitored. STAY CONNECTED!!!! P@EASE, PLEASE update when you can!! You are now our family and we care about you and your pup!! What's her name?
Sending positive energy and lots of 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!
Bella and family I'm really sorry that she's having a rough time but thank DOG they caught what's going on and took steps to fix it. I'll bet that by tomorrow she's going to be feeling better. I know you must be so worried and I would too, but hey you have us to lean on and vent if you need to, we understand what a scary situation this is.
Please keep us posted because we're sending you lots of love and healing thoughts so Bella can be home soon. {{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When the blood count is low, the heart has to work harder to get the oxygenated blood to circulate. So it's not uncommon to develop an arrhythmia with blood loss. Getting the transfusion should help, it just sometimes takes a little bit of time for everything to settle back down. Sometimes they even have to give medications for a little while. This is major surgery, and she's had a lot of medications circulating, so it may take some time. Hemoglobin is what carries the oxygen - so that's the main number they're going to be watching. I won't tell you not to worry, because of course you will, and that's ok. It should settle down, though.
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
We loooove you Donna
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!
Love you too Sally!
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
Thank you for the replies. This really is a lifeline. Bella's at a 24 hour emergency hospital. And the surgeon is one of the best in the area. I just can't get past questioning if I'm doing the right thing. I made the best choice (I think) with the information I was given. I just hope I'm not putting her through unnecessary pain. I had a dog with hermangeosarcoma over 10 years ago and choose chemo for him. I appreciated the time I had, but towards the end he wasn't happy. I am trying very, very hard to do what's best for Bella, not me.
I know the place that is taking care of her is doing their best, but she looks terrible. They just put in a catheter in her jugular because her other veins in her legs just wouldn't take the line anymore. I just visited with her and the variation in heart rate is up and down. I saw it go from 130 to 204. Up and down. They say it's much better, but she really doesn't look good. And she's on so many drugs! She didn't lift her head or seem to recognize me. I haven't had anyone tell me that she's dying, but she really looks awful. I really hope that her heart settles down now that she's had the transfusions. Donna, is there any timeline I can expect for that to happen? I'm not getting definitive, clear answers from the vets. Is this worse than they are saying?
Donna your medical knowledge is priceless, thank you 😘
Your sweet doggie is getting top notch care it sounds like. I'm sure they are being straight with you at the clinic, they wouldn't risk anything less. It's just tough to see a loved one in such a state. Try not to let you mind run wild right now. She needs all your strength to stay focused on the day she will come home. We are thinking of you both and sending lots of pawsitivity.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I can only imagine how upsetting this is. I'm sure you're an emotional wreck as we all would be!
A couple of things to .maybe put your mind at ease.....maybe!!
I'm sure Bella knew yiu were there, but because kf the heavy drugs she probably though you two were riding pink elephants together!!
Aside from the additional "complications", she just had MAJOR surgery and is HEAVILY, HEAVILY rugged and probably does look AWFUL!! The bulk of what you are seeing is because she is so loopy. I'm guessing they have her to the point of being pretty well sedated. You can ask if that's the case, but I'm guessing they do.
Relatively speaking, she is soooo much better as far as the arrhythmia goes.
Our "Volunteer Nurse"Donna can address the recovery timeline, but based on what she said earlier, it sou ds like the arrhythmia does take "sometime take a bit of time" to get back to normal. I'm "guessing" that it varies and how quickly it starts to regulate on its own and that's why no one can be specific.
Again Donna can address this, but as scary as it sounds, using the jugular vein is not uncommon at all. And remember, Bella is high as a kite and not feeling a thing!!
Are you speaking directly with the Surgeon? If not, I would ask firmly to do that and maybe you can get more specifics if more transfusions are necessary..what her blood count is now...when she can be a little less sedated (although, feeling no pain is a good thing for now!)....how often does her heart rate vary yp and down now, how much time of "regular" heartbeat before it goes back up and how long does the "up" last?
Just thinking some of those answers from the Surgeon may put your mind at ease.
REALLY appreciate you updating us! We are ALL putting out every ounce of positive healing energy this community has...........and that's a lot!!! You are doing EVERYTHING possible ro give Bella a chance at extended quality time for more loving and spoiling!!! You did exactly what everyone of us here would have done! We HAVE to try!
We'll be wait for another update and we'll continue to stay greatly encouraged with EVERY improvement!
Lots of love and 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!
Update: Bella still has the arrhythmia, doesn't want anyone touching her to help her stand (at the hospital), and now has a fever and a catheter in her jugular. This poor girl. This can't be normal? I am feeling really crappy for her and wondering if I am just putting her through unnecessary stuff. She looks terrible. I feel so bad for her.
Bella is certainly having a rough time of it, that's for sure!
For a large dog, not wanting to get up sometimes takes several days. We've definitely seen that here on ocassion.
I'm sure Bella doesn't want any staff messing with her at this point! Poor thing! She just wants to sleep it off!
Developing a fever is not unheard of and I'm sure they're checking out the cause and giving her the proper pain meds. Sometimes the incision itself can get infected.
Have you spoken to anyone other than the Tech? The attending yp Vet/Surgeon?
Some SPECIFIC questions you may want answers to.
1. What is being done to identify the cause of the fever and how high is it?? Is it infection from the surgery? Is it repository?
2. Is the catheter in her neck for fluids?? Continuing transfusions????
3. Is her red blood count back up???? Are ALL blood levels/panels normal????
4.' And back to the arrhythmia...when it spikes, how long does it last? When it goes down, how long does that last?? A d again, it is good it's showing signs of trying to return to normal,
5 I guess what I'm pointing out with my "amateurish" questions is, are they giving you PROACTIVE solutions,
PROACTIVE testing as opposed to just pointing out the issues'?
6. Okay, one more.....well....with paer A, B and C, and maybe D!! How much does she weight and what is the drug protocol she is on??? Ist it a patch as well as pills? Is any sedative involved? She may need to be heavily medicated because of the heart issue, but she sounds very doped up. Guess she's peeing?? Has she stood at all with them holding her up??
You are Bella's advocate! You are paying big bucks and yiu deserve their time and their unput to your questions!!! And if you need to call in a consult for a second opinion, tell them that's what you want to do!
Now, the hard part, stay POSITIVE!!! You have every reason to believe allmof these issues will get back under co trol, okay? Yes, we DO see surgeries with complications!! And yes, one "complication" usually finds another one to bring into the mix! Kind of a Murphy's Law kind of thing!
STAY CONNECTED!! LEAN ON US!! Vent, scream, doubt and rage! But then, step back into yiur strength, step into our strength, step I to Bella's strength, and know that she'll get through this temporary rough spot!!
Thank you again for the update. As you already know, we are checking in on your thread...a lot!!!
Wrapping you up in our hugs and positive energy!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Nurse Donna may be able to give you more questions to ask or suggest more tests, or treatments to do.
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!
Okay, I found this by "searching" arrhythmia in tne forums.
I think you'll feel encouraged!! This is about Honey who was at rhe ets for over fourdays because of arrhythmia during/ /after surgery!! She was apparently kept very doped up and kept pretty immobile during all thst time.
She did have to take heart meds after thst, but she lived a happy life and was not held back by the heart stuff at all. She did cross over way too soon from the crap disease, but enjoyed jer extra bonjs time of loving and spoiling.
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!
I like your list. I have asked but the answers but there are so many ifs. The fever is unclear. She's on antibiotics so she shouldn't have a fever from infection. Another possibility is pain, but she's on so many pain meds. I just don't know. BUT, I will be using your list to repeat my questions. I like the idea of having an outline of questions and keeping track.
I have been talking to the surgeon who assisted on the surgery. I've emailed the primary surgeon, but have not gotten a response.
Its hard when I visit because there are always so many other emergency cases. I was told today to come visit at 7'pm. So I went and then was told that I probably wouldn't be able to see her. That did me in. I finally broke. I had a hard time pulling myself together. They did wind up letting me see her rather quickly after they had said no.
I really wish they could just put me in a room with her for the day or even a few hours so I could pet her and talk to her while she rested. I doubt it with all of the tubes and cords.
Thank you for responding.
OK - you need to write everything down, it makes things easier. All of your questions, and all of their answers.
1) What medications is she on?
2) What arrhythmia is she having?
3) What is her hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count?
4) What are her vital signs?
Many dogs don't want to be assisted up, so that's not uncommon. They may have her on more medications to have her rest (I'm just guessing here) ..because of the IV. I don't know. And medications act differently for each animal, just like for each person. The fever could be a reaction to the blood transfusion, too. Her body is going through a lot, so a fever is it's natural defense.
I know that you're having your doubts, that's ok. Unfortunately, some have a harder time than others. All you can do right now is get through one day at a time. Hopefully this will go by quickly and she'll bounce right back.
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
Yep! Makes sense Donna!
Hey, if falling apart gets their attention and they let you see her, then don't hold back!!
I think you make an excellent point about just bringing her into a room so you can sit quietly with her. Worth a try!!!
If thatw not possible, then bring some comfy pillows with you tomorrow and camp outside her cage! Seriously! I think it would do you both some good
Hang in there!!! You are one strong human!!
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!
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