Suzi is geting spayed & a Dental

[mscat]

My 4 yr old yorkie Suzi will be going into surgery Tuesday morning. She will a complete blood panel done first . This is a certified vet hospital, and I have been taking both dogs to the same DR. since they were very small puppies. I am just now getting anxious about it though. Suzi is my disabled sons service dog, she is very special to us, and the thought of something going wrong makes me ill. I am sure all of us feel that our yorkie's are the most beautiful, loving, sweet, good natured dogs in the world, so does my son and I about Suzi, I am even more concerned because of my son. He is so attatched to her, and has helped him in so many ways. If the unthinkable happens it will be bad. I think that is why I waited for this to be done, but now that she has a bad tooth that might have to be extracted it is time. I cannot show I am anxious, worried or scared, my son will pick up on it, he has autism with intelectual delays, and will soon be 19. He is verbal, and Suzi is his best friend. I am actually very serious about it, this dog IS his best friend.
I'd blame myself if anything goes wrong, so hoping things go right and smoothly. Suzi is amazing, in what she has done for my son. She listens to him and if his bedroom door is closed she will lay down at his door waiting to come in. I tell my son Suzi is waiting to be with you.
She is a typical little yorkie though, hyperactive, protective, alert, and loves to lick people all over their faces. If you have a scratch on yourself she will lick your scratch for a very long time, trying to heal you. I must remain calm, and not show any anxiety about the upcoming spay and dental. For my sons sake .Otherwise I would become a babbling idiot, which would serve no purpose at all.
PLeas have Suzi in your thoughts, it is going to be tough dropping her off so early, and not have her with us. I'll probably end up going back to sleep, the vet hospital is not far from our new place. Yes, sleep will be good, if I can.

[marcerella02]

I know exactly how you feel- my Layla goes in for knee surgery tomorrow. You just can't help but be nervous. I am sure her spay will go fine and she will be home with you before you know it! I'll be thinking of you!

[lisaly]

I will be thinking of you and Suzi. I'm sure it will go well, but I empathize with how you are feeling. I had yearly dentals done on my girls, and it's something I never adjusted to, so I understand your fear. My prayers are with you, your son, and Suzi.

[Chas W]

I know exactly how you feel. Our little girl, Graysee, has been put under every year for the past three, to clean her teeth. She just resists my brushing them so much, that I can't keep them clean enough! Also, she recently broke a tooth on a supposedly "safe" chew bone toy, and that needs to come out. Graysee is scheduled for her cleaning/extraction this Friday, July 13, so I'll keep yours in my prayers, and please keep mine in your prayers. I'm sure they'll be fine, but I agree; it's so hard to drop her off, and leave her for the entire day! Almost makes me feel guilty for taking care of her! Plus, she has such separation anxiety that she always tries to wriggle out of the vet's arms when I hand her to him!

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Chas W

I know exactly how you feel. Our little girl, Graysee, has been put under every year for the past three, to clean her teeth. She just resists my brushing them so much, that I can't keep them clean enough! Also, she recently broke a tooth on a supposedly "safe" chew bone toy, and that needs to come out. Graysee is scheduled for her cleaning/extraction this Friday, July 13, so I'll keep yours in my prayers, and please keep mine in your prayers. I'm sure they'll be fine, but I agree; it's so hard to drop her off, and leave her for the entire day! Almost makes me feel guilty for taking care of her! Plus, she has such separation anxiety that she always tries to wriggle out of the vet's arms when I hand her to him!

That is the hardest part, Handing your precious yorkie over to the vet or vet tech, and watching them "take them away" it tears my heart out, even though I am confident in the vet and hospital staff she never has been under, so it is stressful. She can eat food until 10pm tonight, but i am going to feed her earlier, and mix wet food in with her kibble which she loves. She can have water though. I've been through many surgries myself, some of them day surgries, but still, Having them have to go under the anthesia is the scariest part, and I do not know how long it will take them to do it. I've had cats get spayed throughout the years, but not dogs, and the spay is really not that evasive, but her dental? Her teeth will hurt? If her one bad tooth needs to be removed I think it would be better for the vet to do so, because that tooth could be a problem again for her in the future, then it will need to be done anyway. With our little toy breeds bad teeth is very common, and it still is not easy to have it done, especially if you have to do it every year The bloodwork and dental actually is the most costly, a spay is not that bad in price. I'll have to pay 400-500 for all of this, including any pain meds they sent home. That is a lot of money for me, single, disabled parent with a disabled son, but I have a little money saved. Bad credit prevents me from having the care program, so that does not help us.
I nearly cried last night as Suzi licked me all over my face, and she likes to rub her body all over me, I think to get her scent on me, or make sure I know she belongs to me, or I belong to her, LOL.
i hope th edental goes well for your little one too. It is all knew to us, and I have to be strong for my son and Suzi so she does not freak out. I bought a inflatable head gear for her to wear instead of the plastic cone they give her, and I'll bring with her a soft padding, so she can be comfortable. The hospital moniters all their dogs through any procdure, and I will have to sign a paper saying do whatever is necessary to keep her alive, that is a bad feeling. But I keep thinking to myself she will be fine. and not to worry, but how do I NOT worry?

[Chas W]

MSCAT: I have a health plan with Banfield Hospital, which is affiliated with PetsMart. I found that my old vet, who has three different offices, and is highly rated, just became too expensive after I was permanently laid off. The cost for a teeth cleaning alone at that vet's was going to be over $850.00, PLUS anesthesia! The total cost, per YEAR, with Banfield, for Graysee's health management plan, is $407.10. I pay that, up front, every year, and don't need to concern myself for twelve more months! That includes ALL office visits, vaccinations, one free screening and complete teeth cleaning (including xrays), low-cost extraction (which she needs this year), discounts on all prescription meds, and much more. I did research on the Banfield organization, and found nothing objectionable. I'd look into Banfield, to see if there are any in your area; they are reasonable, and are open 7 days a week.

[mscat]

Thank you for the information regarding Banfield, the nearest one is in Fresno, I really like our vet hospital because they are certifed, and actually their prices are not too bad, it just adds up when you have to continue taking them in nearly every month.
Tonight is the night before Suzi's surgery. I want it done and over with and bring her home as soon as possible. she is such a valuable member in our family.

[Chas W]

to mscat: I will be praying not only for your little doggie, but for you and your son, as well, that tonight and tomorrow will bring you peace and comfort, and the knowledge that your little one is getting good care and will be back with you before you know it! I'm glad that you have the correct comfort level with your vet. And, I DO understand about things just adding up; I hope you are able to keep your budget balanced.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Here's hoping and praying your baby does well & feels better in a couple of days.

[kjc]

Keeping you, your son, and little Suzi in my thoughts and prayers....

[mscat]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. They called me this morning and told me to bring her in at 8:30, the vet wants to talk to me first? I've become very emotional in the past from previous visits, so the vet knows this is going to be chalenging for us to get through. But, I do not know what the vet wants to tell me. I already have the instructions for tonight, no food after 10, and then no water after 6am. I am going to make her a special dinner and feed her around 8:30 tonight, mix canned food with her kibble which I know she loves. I bought her a inflatable , round head and neck thing, that she can wear instead of the lampshade, it is far more comfortable and she cannot take it off. i'll also bring her litttle soft pad that goes inside a carrier, but want her to have it so she can lay down and rest on something soft after surgery.
Budget wise, it will be fine, I saved the money and recieved a 400 check from a previous "pet deposit" that was returned back to me, since my 2 are service dogs. Then if it is more then that , it could be, anther hundred , we will be able to manage.
Suzi is not a tiny girl, but 10 pounds is still a small dog, she is pretty , and they are going to shave her tummy for her spay. I think the hardest part will be the first night home. I've had many surgries, and if the anethesia is still in your body and you eat, you will throw up, I assume that this is the same for dogs.
One incident I had a day surgery, my brother took me to a chinese restraunt, by the time I had just got out of the car and had projectile vomiting all over the field, everywhere, it was awful, but a little funny at the same time. The field was right down the stairs where we use to live.
So I will not rush it for Suzi to eat right when she comes home, but may lay down water for her, in CA it is expected to be 106' degrees tommorow. Thinking of bathing her this evening too , she probably will not be able to have a bath for a while.
I'll I want is this to be done and over with, bring her home , take care of her , make her as comfortable as possible give her pain medication if needed, and really will not want to go anywhere , and leave her unattended. We are so in love with Suzi, and our other girl Miely the shih tzu. Miely copy cats Suzi , Suzi is the stronger, dominate one, Miely is now making her bed just like Suzi has always done, quite adorable.
I refuse to think anything bad is going to occur, I cannot go there in my head, My son especially could not deal well with that, and me, oh my, that would be devastating. Trusting the vet helps a lot, I just have no idea what he wants to tell me before hand. As long as her pre bloodwork is clean all should go well.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by mscat

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. They called me this morning and told me to bring her in at 8:30, the vet wants to talk to me first? I've become very emotional in the past from previous visits, so the vet knows this is going to be chalenging for us to get through. But, I do not know what the vet wants to tell me. I already have the instructions for tonight, no food after 10, and then no water after 6am. I am going to make her a special dinner and feed her around 8:30 tonight, mix canned food with her kibble which I know she loves. I bought her a inflatable , round head and neck thing, that she can wear instead of the lampshade, it is far more comfortable and she cannot take it off. i'll also bring her litttle soft pad that goes inside a carrier, but want her to have it so she can lay down and rest on something soft after surgery.
Budget wise, it will be fine, I saved the money and recieved a 400 check from a previous "pet deposit" that was returned back to me, since my 2 are service dogs. Then if it is more then that , it could be, anther hundred , we will be able to manage.
Suzi is not a tiny girl, but 10 pounds is still a small dog, she is pretty , and they are going to shave her tummy for her spay. I think the hardest part will be the first night home. I've had many surgries, and if the anethesia is still in your body and you eat, you will throw up, I assume that this is the same for dogs.
One incident I had a day surgery, my brother took me to a chinese restraunt, by the time I had just got out of the car and had projectile vomiting all over the field, everywhere, it was awful, but a little funny at the same time. The field was right down the stairs where we use to live.
So I will not rush it for Suzi to eat right when she comes home, but may lay down water for her, in CA it is expected to be 106' degrees tommorow. Thinking of bathing her this evening too , she probably will not be able to have a bath for a while.
I'll I want is this to be done and over with, bring her home , take care of her , make her as comfortable as possible give her pain medication if needed, and really will not want to go anywhere , and leave her unattended. We are so in love with Suzi, and our other girl Miely the shih tzu. Miely copy cats Suzi , Suzi is the stronger, dominate one, Miely is now making her bed just like Suzi has always done, quite adorable.
I refuse to think anything bad is going to occur, I cannot go there in my head, My son especially could not deal well with that, and me, oh my, that would be devastating. Trusting the vet helps a lot, I just have no idea what he wants to tell me before hand. As long as her pre bloodwork is clean all should go well.

She may not even eat the night of the surgery as most are pretty loopy & don't have much appetite. I would think about the pain medication seriously and not just give it "if needed" - just give it, at least for a couple of days. She is having arthroscopic portal punctures or a small incision through her abdominal wall most likely and in any domestic animal, that hurts! And it hurts for a while. Dogs are likely to try to hide pain & do normal things such as jumping just like we can walk after abdominal/back/joint surgery, though we usually wince & whine loudly as we do, taking care in and moving slowly, they mask pain to avoid showing any weakness, out of instinctive fear of being attacked or abandoned. So don't be afraid to give that baby her medicine to keep her comfortable! Abdominal wall incisions hurt for a while after surgery so don't let her activity level fool you.

Sounds like you are physically ready but mentally - whew! That's the hardest part for us. It is the hardest thing to turn that car into the vet clinic the morning of elective surgery, isn't it? But once you get her through those first two days after surgery, you will sit back & relax, being so glad it is all over. I'll be praying that that baby gets through this as smoothly as possible.

[mscat]

Well We took Suzi to the vet hospital and arrived as instructed and waited for our vet to talk to me. When they weighed her she dropped 2 pounds. I think it is from staying with my son in his room all night and he sleeps in, being that it it summer break. When he is in school he is up very early and Suzi would eat breakfast. The vet weighed her again just to make sure, he then thought she might be starting her heat cycle, it has not been 6 months after her last one, but they are not always running like clockwork. I hope not, but he could not tell until he started the surgery. The vet called me soon after we lef, her pre blood work came back sooner then was expected and she is healthy, no problems. I got anther call from a vet tech she told me Suzi was out of surgery and in recovery, and will be ready to come home at 2pm, but the vet wants to speak to me before taking her, so that will be around 5pm. The vet said they use morphine , and they will give me some pain meds for her too have at home. I don't know yet if she had any teeth pulled, especially the one that was bothering her, it is a back tooth. I brought her something soft to lay down on, but the vet told me sometimes they throw up , but, he allowed her to have it. I also brought her inflatable collar so she won't have to wear the lampshade, but the vet told me to use it at home. It's only 1:15 here. I took my car in for new brakes, and a oil change, went to the mall , and now home, tired , but happy the surgery is completed and Suzi is ok. 4 more hrs to go until I have her. A little scared that she will be fragile and possibly in pain, but hopefully the hospital staff will keep her comfortable. and she is not crying. I can't believe she lost 2 pounds though. She was 10, now down to 8. But she is really sturdy so I did not know. I will be giving her the wet food mixed in with her dry food for extra nutrients. And will give her the pain medication too, which I think will probably make her sleepy. I think I will take a nap, today has been busy, and it is 106' at least outside today.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Glad to hear she made it through the scariest part. Now it's just keeping her quiet and comfortable and coddled as she deals with the pain and drugs. She may not want to eat or drink so watch her and entice her enough so she doesn't get too empty or dehydrated.

[Blessedbee]

Originally Posted by mscat

I can't believe she lost 2 pounds though.

It is possible that the bad tooth has been causing the weight loss, not to mention the heat you are having in your area. I pray that everything turns out just fine for you all. I also have an autistic (genius intellect, but social issues and autism spectrum disorder symptoms just the same) daughter, so I know what you mean about needing to stay calm throughout this situation. Just remember that you are not alone in this. There is always Someone who cares and we all care at YorkieTalk.