Penny is Having Surgery Monday

Kari · December 31, 2006, 10:22:00 PM

What a New Year... Penny seemed to be doing so well he last couple of days but then today she seemed to take a turn for the worse! This afternoon when I took her out to potty she screeched in pain and wouldn't walk. She isn't completely down just her left leg. We rushed to the specialist hospital and saw the ER vet we saw last Wednesday. She examined her and called the neurologist. They decided to admit her and tomorrow will be performing a mylogram and most likely surgery. Watching them take her away was one of the hardest things I have done - she was so confused.

They are really great at this hospital...they gave us a tour and showed us where she would be tonight. In the cage next to where she would be tonight there was a sweet little dachsie that was recovering from surgery - 4yrs 8 months old.

So it is a wait and see until tomorrow. I'll post an update as soon as I hear anything.

Dee Dee and Hallie · January 01, 2007, 12:35:42 AM

Oh Kari. I am SO sorry. My heart is on the floor for you guys. I was so sure she was going to be fine on crate rest alone!

BUT...tons of doxies have gone through this surgery. She will feel better when she comes out of it than she does right now. When my Jessie had her surgery, she walked down the hallway to me after the surgery. The most shocking thing is their big shaved area and incision, but it doesn't matter to them all they know is they feel better.

You have a lot of things going for you. You caught it early. She is still walking. You did the right thing in between her episode and now, so she didn't have a chance to really make things worse by jumping around, etc. She is where she needs to be right now, as hard as it is for you to be apart from her. She is getting top care and they will do what is needed for her. You have made the best decisions throughout all this and now it's out of your hands, the hard part is going to be the waiting.

Many many prayers from here. Please keep us posted.

Roberta · January 01, 2007, 02:35:42 AM

yes me to, my heart is in my throat. Keep as calm as you can, we are all here for penny and you. Penny is in the best place at the moment, with people who know what they are doing.
Keep us posted and big big hugs......if she knows you are calm Penny will pick up the vibes..........

dachies rays from OZ
Roberta

Jen · January 01, 2007, 06:39:54 AM

Oh No! I was so hoping she would do well with just crate rest :(
Lots of prayers coming your way

Jen

cheryl186 · January 01, 2007, 08:42:05 AM

Prayers and Healing Rays coming your way for a speedy recovery for Penny. We are all here for you to comfort and support you. You are doing exactly what you need to be doing right now....Lots and Lots of pups undergo this surgery and do just fine....and you did catch this early....

The people at Dodgerslist will be there to support you just as everyone here will be there for you. Take care and let us know asap how Penny is doing....

Kari · January 01, 2007, 10:25:57 AM

Thanks eveyone! I called this morning to check on her and she is resting at the moment getting fluids and a a pain patch. The neurologist is due in at any time to do the mylogram so it is just a waiting game at this point. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. I too thought that we were going to make it just on crate rest! She seemed to be really improving! Thanks for all the support!

papbouv · January 01, 2007, 10:37:59 AM

Good thoughts coming your way Good Luck with the surgery hope Penny will be back to her old self soon.
Patches Mom

Kari · January 01, 2007, 01:31:38 PM

Penny had her mylogram and it seems that she has a possible herniated disc. Based on the neurosurgen that would like to do the surgery so they were going to move her directly into surgery at 11:15 am PST. The prognosis is great since we caught it early but it is hard to waiting to hear that she made it through the surgery fine. We will get to visit her tomorrow and she will probably come home on Thursday. I'll keep you updated.

Kari · January 01, 2007, 02:07:46 PM

We got the call that Penny is out of surgery. The surgery went well and she is doing good. The disc wasn't ruptured yet, but there was fluid severely compressing the spinal cord. This has been relieved and the discs in the area fenestrated. Prognosis is great and we get to visit her tomorrow. I'll keep you updated!

DeeanDave · January 01, 2007, 02:08:22 PM

Rays and prayers are coming your way for Penny! Dee, Dave, Sargey and Looie

MyLittleBoo · January 01, 2007, 02:13:36 PM

Well, I was hoping for better news when I logged on today, but I am sure that Penny will do great with surgery... I think we all hope that we never have to go through it though... I will be praying for you, Penny and your family.... EmmyLou sends get well puppy kisses to you all... Healing rays coming your way from my family and I... *hugs & prayers* ~Tara & EmmyLou

Sandishooligans · January 01, 2007, 02:16:14 PM

Loads and loads of healing dachsie rays to Penny and calming peaceful rays to her hooparents. I'm so happy she's responding well to the surgery. Please know we're thinking about you.

Dee Dee and Hallie · January 01, 2007, 02:24:38 PM

Well that's a relief she came through the surgery so well and they got it before it became a full blown rupture which is GREAT. :thumb: Now she's also fenestrated there so she should recover nicely! When my Jessie had her back episode, they prophylactically fenestrated her entire cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back). They don't normally do the ribcage area (thoracic) which are rare to have problems anyway. Jessie never did have problems in her neck, but she did have some reoccurances of pain only about every 9 months which was easily corrected with 2 weeks crate rest. They think that problem was at the base of her tail where they can't fenestrate because there are too many nerves coming out there that can be damaged. They don't think she ever had a problem where she was fenestrated again though. And they did think the fenestration helped her not have further episodes like her first and also the ones she did have again were very mild in comparison so hopefully it helped with that as well.

I'm sure Penny will be 100% again well before her hair grows back in! :) This is the best news we could get at this point with things, I'll bet you can't wait to get your baby home again.

Kari · January 01, 2007, 05:21:15 PM

Quote from: Dee Dee and Hallie on January 01, 2007, 02:24:38 PM
Well that's a relief she came through the surgery so well and they got it before it became a full blown rupture which is GREAT. :thumb: Now she's also fenestrated there so she should recover nicely! When my Jessie had her back episode, they prophylactically fenestrated her entire cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back). They don't normally do the ribcage area (thoracic) which are rare to have problems anyway. Jessie never did have problems in her neck, but she did have some reoccurances of pain only about every 9 months which was easily corrected with 2 weeks crate rest. They think that problem was at the base of her tail where they can't fenestrate because there are too many nerves coming out there that can be damaged. They don't think she ever had a problem where she was fenestrated again though. And they did think the fenestration helped her not have further episodes like her first and also the ones she did have again were very mild in comparison so hopefully it helped with that as well.

I'm sure Penny will be 100% again well before her hair grows back in! :) This is the best news we could get at this point with things, I'll bet you can't wait to get your baby home again.

That is good to hear! I think that fenestration was proactive and will be a big plus in the future. I have to work tomorrow so Drew is going to drop me off at work (I work less than a mile from the hospital) and is going to get me a lunch to go visit her and then pick me up in the evening and visit her again. I just talked with my boss and she is really understand as I told her that I would get my work done but it may be odd hours or at home. It will be great to have her home again!

Mike · January 01, 2007, 06:54:52 PM

I'm glad to hear the prognosis is good for Penny. And you are lucky to be so close to her. We'll keep the rays coming your way for no more occurances in the future.

Jen · January 01, 2007, 07:44:43 PM

So glad to hear Penny came through surgery well sounds like her prognosis is really good :) Sending lots of rays for a speedy recovery!

Jen

Teresa · January 01, 2007, 08:30:21 PM

I'm so glad the surgery went well and Penny did great! It was wonderful that you were home with her during this time and could be watching over her and catch it as quickly as you did. I'm sure that is one reason things went as smoothly as they did (besides the fact you are both wonderful parents!) I know the next couple of days will be long and you will be waiting impatiently to bring your baby home, but she is in good hands for now and soon you can spoil her as much as you want!!

Barb · January 01, 2007, 09:07:03 PM

I feel so badly for not checking in earlier....it sounds like the surgery went very well and so glad you will be able to be flexible with your work. WE are all thinking of you and sending rays to our Penny. We will all be waiting for an update to see how she does through the night. Hugs to you mom and dad - hang in there.

Kari · January 01, 2007, 11:46:55 PM

We talked with the technician about an hour ago and Penny is alert and doing well. She is up on her front legs and they are going to begin tapering off some of the medications. The tech had her cage open and said that Penny was giving her kisses as we spoke. She also said that Penny has been talking to them quite a bit and that she looks great for the day of surgery. They are going to call us in the morning with another update and we'll see her tomorrow. I may not be able to post while I am at work but will do so as soon as I get home.

cheryl186 · January 02, 2007, 04:21:35 AM

:thumb: Sounds like great news!!!! Now it is time for Mommy and Daddy to get some rest while Penny is in good hands and prepare for her homecoming. Congratulations and we can't wait to hear more about Penny's progress...

ps: Penny looks so much like my Zoe...they are identical

Barb · January 02, 2007, 07:30:50 AM

Quote from: Kari on January 01, 2007, 11:46:55 PM
We talked with the technician about an hour ago and Penny is alert and doing well. She is up on her front legs and they are going to begin tapering off some of the medications. The tech had her cage open and said that Penny was giving her kisses as we spoke. She also said that Penny has been talking to them quite a bit and that she looks great for the day of surgery. They are going to call us in the morning with another update and we'll see her tomorrow. I may not be able to post while I am at work but will do so as soon as I get home.

Go Penny - sounds like she is doing great !!! Sending rays and prayer - we will be waiting to hear how your 2 visits go today -

Delia and girls · January 02, 2007, 08:32:16 AM

Oh, Kari! I'm sorry to hear it came to surgery but you will be amazed at how fast she pops back now. Which will bring you to the next problem - keeping her calm and crated. We crated Gretchen for a while (I don't remember exact times - it's been a few years), then graduated her to her expen, which we put in the middle of the living room, with a few toys, blankets, a water bowl, AND...a paperback novel that DD and Hallie sent her. She 'read' that novel over and over again. It was shredded to the pieces! The hard part is over - Penny is out of pain and the problem is fixed. Just keep that in your mind when you see her.

TerriL · January 02, 2007, 09:07:47 AM

Oh Kari, I am so sorry that I did not see this before now. Sending prayers and rays to Penny and your family for a healthy recovery.
Keep us informed on her progress. Hugs to you!

Suzie · January 02, 2007, 12:58:36 PM

So sorry to read that Penny had surgery, but so glad you caught it in time, and have great emergency/surgical options. Lots of Colorado rayz coming to your sweet little girl. You all get all the rest you can, and hope the balance of the year is MUCH better.

Kari · January 02, 2007, 03:53:47 PM

Hi All! We just visited Penny this afternoon. She seems to be doing as well as possible. She is walking but very wobbly. Her incision looks really good but long. She wagged her tail when she say us and gave kisses. You can tell she is uncomfortable and was upset when we had to leave her. She is also quite bloated. They said she is peeing but has pooped yet. There is a possibility that she will come home tomorrow so we will see how she does overnight. So all-in-all she seems to be doing well but it broke my heart to leave her there! Just wanted to update and say thanks for all the good thoughts!

Penny is Having Surgery Monday

Sandishooligans