What would you do?
 

I'll try to keep this short, but I really could use some advice. And please be honest!

My 5 month old yorkie has been having some on and off vomiting/illness issues for a while. A few weeks ago, they did an exploratory surgery to ensure she didn't have something in her intestines. She didn't. They concluded it was a virus because her lymph nodes were very swollen. Her biopsies came back normal. For the past 2 weeks, she was the picture of health. She had her staples out last Wednesday, no vomiting for 2 weeks, just doing really well. On Saturday, she started vomiting again. I was so upset. We went back to the vet, and she was so bad she had to stay. They did x-rays today and GET THIS. She didn't have a blockage before, but apparently in the past couple of days she swallowed what they think is a pebble, and it is caught in her stomach. I could just die. And the irony of this is not lost on me, trust me - she had an exploratory when she didn't need one and NOW she needs one. Unbelievable. (I did see the x-rays, and the pebble is definitely something she ingested in the past couple of days - it has not been there all along.)

So, by tomorrow morning I have to decide whether to have them do an endoscopy (go down her throat and try to remove the pebble that way) or surgery, again. The endoscopy would be the better alternative, naturally, because there will be no incision, no scar, no healing, no cone, etc. But the catch is that the endoscopy isn't a sure thing. They might put her under, go in, and not be able to get it out. The surgery, while more invasive and a longer healing period, will guarantee they get it. The surgeon seems pretty sure he can get it out via endoscopy, but he won't know for sure until he tries.

I just don't know what to do. She just had a surgery!!! And she's only 5 months. I HATE, HATE, HATE the idea of her having another surgery. But heaven forbid the endoscopy isn't successful and then they have to do the surgery anyway. That would be a lot for poor Violet, plus a HUGE bill for me.

So, if you were in my shoes, what would you do? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.


And yes, I do feel like the absolute worst mommy in the whole world. I have no clue how she got a pebble - I never saw her with anything in her mouth, and my floors are super clean. The guilt I'm feeling is indescribable. I went to visit her tonight and I just hate seeing her so sick. I can hardly stop crying. :(

I am going to bed, it's been such a long day. I'll reply to any responses first thing in the a.m. Thank you!

This is so hard ..i am reading this thinking what would i do..has your vet given you any advice as to what you should do and what he thinks will be the best route to take. You are not the worlds worst mommy accidents happen and you are obviously a very caring mom.my thoughts are with you..:)

i am just thinking ..honestly if it was me..i would have the surgery as it is a certain thing..these little guys i always think are stronger then we think and i am sure if you have faith in your vet and trust his judgement everything will be fine..easier said then done i know but i am sure you will make the right decision ..:)..please keep us posted.

I personally would take my chance with the endoscopy they are usually very sucessful and she won't be put through the stress of another surgery. And you're not a bad mommy everyone knows these little guys get themselves into things like pebbles.

I think I would go with the abdominal surgery. I would want a sure thing. Is there no way they think she will pass the pebble. Don't feel like a bad mommy, they pick up things so fast and you have done everything to get her better. I will keep her in my prayers.

I would try the endoscopy first.

I would go with endoscopy.
Yes, you may have to go to surgery but I would not like the idea of opening her up again.

oh hon, I am so sorry - I wish I could give you a big hug :hug: - I will pray for you to make the best decision & that God will heal her little body :hands:

Thank you all so much for your thoughts. I am going to talk to the surgeon again when he gets in this morning and hopefully get a better idea of how successful he thinks an endoscopy would be. If he seems confident, I'm going to go for the endoscopy. If he seems unsure or reluctant to commit to saying he thinks it will work, I'm going to opt for the surgery. He seemed positive about it yesterday, but I want to be more direct about it. I'm also going to get a better idea about costs for each procedure. Money isn't my final concern, but I've spent so much lately at the vet's. At this point, I just want my baby to come home - I miss her so much. The house is so quiet without her.

Please keep Violet in your prayers! And thank you again for all of your feedback!

Oh, and regarding whether the pebble could pass, I would have thought it would based on its size (roughly the size of a pencil eraser), but for whatever reason it's not leaving her stomach. Which may be a blessing in disguise because if it got to her intestines and got stuck, she'd definitely need surgery.

There was also a chance she'd vomit it up (regurgitate), but that hasn't happened, and it needs to come out. I told her last night before I left that if she could just throw it up, I'd buy her 100 new toys AND she could poo on my rug that she loves to poo on, but I'm pretty sure she didn't understand. ;)

She has been vomiting a lot, but no pebble. :(

The lesson: keep your babies away from pebbles!!!

Aw poor baby Violet! I\'m sorry you/her are having such a hard time. Please keep us posted on how things go.

so very sorry that you are going thru this. They are quick and get into many things so don\'t blame yourself. My first response would be, do you feel comfortable with your current vet? Or do you feel a second opinion would put your mind at more ease?

I think that I would go with the endoscopy since it would be less invasive. Best of luck for what you decide. hugs.

Oh, bless your heart, what a horrible thing to have to try and decide. I think your decision to talk with the surgeon again is great. That\'s what I\'d do. I always need a little time to get past the shock and think about what was said. Then I go back and ask more questions and follow my gut instinct.

Whatever you decide will be the right thing for you and Violet. Please keep us informed of how it goes. We are all right there with you and will be saying prayers for a great outcome. :hug: