Need advice on what to bring to ut!
 

Sasha's liver shunt surgery is on May 27 and we go to TN on May 26. I need some advice on what to bring on my trip for Sasha. I would prefer that people who have traveled to UT for LS surgery respond but only because they have gone through the same thing but any other idea or advice from other people would be great! :D

I didnt travel to UT but I traveled pretty far for my Chloe when she was being tested for Liver issues.

I brought:

A bag that straps well into a seat, better then a carseat after surgery because they dont need a harness on them and seem to settle down faster.

A soft blanket.

Water

I brought a variety of foods, soft food, baby food, pedialyte, nutrical... I didnt know if she would eat right away and what I would need to try and feed her.

My Kiss E Cone Collar by Bo "MomtoHotRod"

A copy of all her records, they already had them but I wanted to make sure I had a copy in case anything happened.

A crate for the hotel room, we needed to stay after we picked her up from the hospital and I wanted to be able to contain her.

wee wee pads... didnt want to put her on a leash at all

I have never had a liver shunt puppy but I live in Knoxville very close to the University of Tennessee. I sent you a PM. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Hmm let me see if I can remember what I took, a small crate for her to nap in, some blankets, some rice wraps (I made them myself - you can heat them in a microwave) to help keep her warm and cozy, her favorite toy, her collar from Bo (MomtoHotRod), a copy of her records.

I was told that they canNOT have nutrical. So I would stay away from that. If you are afraid of a hypoglycemic episode, see if you can get some dextrose to give her. Also, when I went I had planned on her taking back a bag with her, her favorite toys, blankies, etc but honestly they will have all the food and everything she will need. The less you send back with her, the better (I had even packed her a little bag lol).

What to expect: The first day you will admit her and you will have a consult. You will go over previous records and they will discuss costs (you will be required to put a deposit of 1/2 the estimated amount the 1st day and the rest when you pick her up). They will run any tests (scintigraphy, ultrasound, etc) if needed. The next morning will be surgery. You will have a student call you every morning that she is there and in the afternoons you will have the Dr call you. They are pretty thorough and she will pretty much have someone keeping an eye on her at all times. I suggest that the day of her surgery, make some plans to keep you preoccupied b/c you will worry yourself sick. My in laws live not too far from UT so I stayed with them and I volunteered at the food bank at their church during her surgery and it made the time pass so fast and I didn't even have time to think about my baby b/c I was using that energy to help others (I HIGHLY recommend keeping yourself busy). I am pretty sure that I got to bring Ginger home the day after surgery.

I know you are nervous but seriously, UT is the BEST place for this condition. I recommend them hands down to anyone. I had such a wonderful and positive experience there. :)

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR RESPONSES. I HAVE PURCHASED AND RECEIVED MY KISS E COLLAR FROM MOMHOTROD. I am nervous still but hopefully she does well. I might visit the smoky mountains during her surgery to pass the time. I am going to call UT tomorrow to make sure we are all set with the appointment.

Monica,

We'll be keeping you guys in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how everything goes. Sasha will be back in your arms in no time at all! Best of luck! Give Sasha big hugs and kisses from Hot Rod, Maggie May and me. :)

Hi, my Ozzie had his liver shunt surgery there in January. I took a cooler with some foods he likes like pasta and green beans and also bought some baby food jars of vegetables, no protein. The day he had his scintigraphy he was really out of it when I picked him up but then he was starving a couple of hours later so I was glad I had a lot of food. The hospital even asked me to bring him in some food the day of surgery that they thought he would like so make sure you have something you know he will eat. A really good one for after surgery is baby apple sauce. The day after his surgery we were able to pick him up but since we lived 9 hours away they asked us to spend one more night in Knoxville and leave the following morning in case there were any problems. I fell in love with Knoxville. We drove up to Pigeon Forge and saw the mountains and went through Cade's Cove while he was in the hospital and also there is a great shopping center called Turtles Creek that has every store you could want. As far as hotels the visitor center has coupon books with great deals. Besides a few disposable bowls make sure you bring some blankets to keep her comfortable for the ride home. They are wonderful at UT and will keep you informed at all times. Be prepared too because I thought the incision looked terrible but now 4 months later you can't even see a mark on him. I was just shocked the first time I saw it. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. The liver shunt forum got me through it and helped me with everything. I know you are worried sick but take comfort in the fact that she is at the best place possible.
Ginger

Should I bring hard L/D hill's diet or soft L/D hill's diet?
This is what I have:
-Approved from CareCredit. They will cover up to $3,100
-A crate for Sasha to sleep in
-A dog bag to put Sasha in for the plane ride
-A food and water bowl for her to eat
-2 dog beds
-pee pee pads
-Kiss E Cone Collar from "Mom to Hot Rod"
-All of Sasha's medical records
-Blanket
-Food, of course
-leash/harness/collar with her tags

I still need:
-doggy diapers, for plane ride

Anything else?????? Should she have a water bowl in her bag for the plane? or maybe one of those hamster water bottles that they sell at pet stores???

Leash/harness/collar is for when we arrive in TN in case we want to walk around the city BEFORE her surgery.

Does Ozzie have MVD??

Does Ozzie have MVD??

You won't really need the diapers for the plane ride. I took Kaji to Memphis for Thanksgiving and we had no problems going or coming back. I would suggest you monitor her water intake a few hours before the plane ride. You can always have a pad in your "purse." I had a large tote as my purse since the babies count as our carry on. I had a snack size bag of kibble, puppy wipes, and a few pads. If you want, you can take Sasha 45-30 mins before your flight to the bathroom. Take her to a handicap stall, place a pad on the floor and while leashed, have her potty on the pad. It's possible and as long as you have her leashed, it won't bother anyone.

Monica,
sounds like you are really prepared for your trip. I just wanted to wish you and Sasha all the best and will certainly be saying a prayer you guys. :) Hugs, Bo

interesting.....good luck praying for ya'll

I am so happy Sasha is getting her surgery. Keep us updated