Emmett has to have Surgery
 

Last Saturday I noticed a tiny bump on Emmett's tummy. It was about the size of a sharpened pencil tip. I thought it was a bite or something. Well, in a week it had grown to the size of the eraser end of a pencil. I still had hope that it was a spider bite or something, but being the paranoid mommy that I am I made an appointment and took him to the vet yesterday. The vet said that the bump feels solid, which is an indication of a cyst or a skin tumor. Since it grew so fast he recommended that we schedule a surgery to get it removed and tested ASAP. So, Emmett will be having surgery Oct. 3rd. I am so, so scared. Emmett has never been under... I was even too afraid to get him neutered for that reason. Everyone around me keeps telling me not to worry, but I can't help it. I feel like I can't breathe.

So please keep my Emmy and I in your thoughts. Thank you.

Sending prayers for Emmett for his surgery and that the bump will be benign. No one likes anesthesia and it is normal to worry, but focus on all of the successful procedures that are done each day. He will be fine. Have pre-op blood tests done (chemistry panel and a CBC) and review the anesthesia protocol with your vet. Since he is going in for this procedure, you may want to consider having him neutered at the same time. Boys bounce back very quickly.

Keep us updated.

My vet didn't recommend any pre-op blood work... should that worry me? Also, how soon before should I get the blood work done?

Also, I was going to have a dental done during the surgery... do you think getting him neutered as well will be too much?

Bloodwork results come back pretty quickly, a day or so. I would really ask for bloodwork to be done esp since he's never been under before.

I think having three procedures done at once is a bit much. If it were me I'd to the biopsy and neuter, and wait for the dental later. If there is time, then do all at once. But of course, speak with your vet first.

Oh also wanted to say, some vets don't suggest bloodwork beforehand bc complications from anesthetic is pretty uncommon nowadays, but if he's n ever been under, better safe than sorry. It costs about $100.

I'll say a prayer for your precious baby! Hugs to you!

Prayers and Hugs to you and Emmett. I would definitely have the blood work done before any surgery.

Here is some more info for you: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-protocol.html

When Max was neutered, he had 6 baby teeth removed. I could tell his mouth hurt. The hard part about neutering was he couldn't jump or sprint for about 10 days. I carried him on his usual walking route. Vets usually recommend waiting up to 2 weeks before resuming full activity. The dogs usually have different ideas. :)

How old is Emmett? If he needs a dental or if he has retained baby teeth, those should be taken care of immediately.

I think you could have all 3 done at the same time. The first day will be a little rough, but then he will be fine. If your vet recommends leaving him at the office overnight, ask if there is someone there at all times supervising. Many offices don't have anyone. If that is the case, insist on bringing him home.

Should do the pre-blood work for sure, and great idea on the neuter and Dental while he is under. Relax, he will be fine. I have a boy who loves breaking a leg just so he can get knocked out. THe teeth and Neuter are good for him and he will bounch back in a day.

Ok. I just called and scheduled the blood-work. I will not be able to neuter him this time though, I just don't have enough money right now. :( The bill so far is already $560, I'm trying to sell some of my stuff to afford it. Being a broke grad student is no good.

That sounds like a lot of money to remove a growth. Not that I recommend bargain shopping, but I would ask the vet how long the procedure is and how they came to that amount. Honestly, a neuter added on should be very inexpensive. Have you asked how much? It is a shame not to do it while he is under.

The blood-work is 160
The dental is 125
The growth removal surgery is 150
lab test for growth is 125

I think that's how it was broken down.

And they said to drop him off in the morning, and I could pick him up later that day.

This is the only vet I trust in my area... he's really good with all the animals, so I dont want to go anywhere else. I will ask how much extra a neuter would be. Thanks for the help!

Can you see if your vet will work with you on some type of payment plan? It would definitely be better, since he is going to be under to have it done, this way you will not have to put him thru another surgery.

Good luck and will be sending good thoughts and prayers all turns out well for Emmett and mommy.

I did not realize a dental was also being done. Is the lab work being done same day? The reason I ask is because I always get it done ahead of time because it is less for them to send it out. When they do it in house it costs more.

I don't blame you about the vet.....I will not go to any vet other than the one I use and don't care what she charges. She is awesome and I trust my pups in her care. I totally get that. That is why I said I don't bargain shop...I was just suggesting that you ask questions is all.

Yeah, they do the blood tests in house, and I don't mind having to pay more for that. The growth has to be sent away though, and thats why the cost is high for that. However, I really want to make sure it isnt cancerous, so I'm not cutting any corners. I had the option of leaving out the dental and doing that later... but I just can't bear to put him under again so soon. I'd go crazy. As for neutering... I am going to ask how much extra that would be. Would it make him healthier?

Ladyjane thank you for all of your help, I understood what you were saying about talking to my vet. I may sound short in some of these posts because I'm always on the go, but I dont mean to be!

And thank you all for your well wishes. I'm getting more nervous as the day draws near.

Oh, I did not think you were short at all! I agree...I would do the biopsy, too. I have a feeling that the add on neuter won't really be all that much. .. at least I hope not. That way you won't have to take him back for that at a later date and pay for anesthesia again.

Keep us posted when he has this all done!

Update on Emmett:
He made it through everything ok today. I did cry while dropping him off.
Emmett's blood tests were fine, so surgery was a go.
His teeth were cleaned, and they all looked good, no gum disease.
The bump was removed, the vet thinks it is most likely a cyst. I'll know for sure when the lab results come in.
I got him neutered... which is making me feel somewhat guilty. I feel like I took something away from him. I know it is for the best though.

I got to take him home around 4:30. He was still really sleepy, and has been ever since.

Everything ended up costing $690.00, which was really hard on me. Oh well, I'll just have to skip some meals, lol.

Thank you all for thinking of us, and for your advice. I'll let you know the results of the lab test when I get them.

Thanks for the update! I am happy to hear that things went well for little Emmett! :)

I am sure you are relieved this is done. He will never miss the "boys":cool: and he will be happier for having had it done.

Very happy to hear everything went well for Emmett and that he is home resting comfortably. You are very, very good to him. He is a very lucky little boy to have you. :)

Hello all, I just wanted to give another update on Emmett.

A few days ago I posted that I thought his neuter was infected. I took him in to the vet, and yes, there was a little infection there. The vet gave me some antibiotics and told me to have him take 1ml twice per day. Emmett does not like the antibiotic at all, and it has been very difficult forcing him to take it. However, the infection is looking a little better.

As for his "tumor" surgery, we got the stitches off the wound site yesterday. Everything healed properly.

Test results: The growth was not a tumor, nor a cyst. It was some sort of skin infection that took three sentences to describe. Apparently it was really nasty. I was too baffled to ask the vet if that would have gone away on its own...

So, the surgeries totaled $690, the initial visit was $40, the antibiotic was $30, and then his shots on Monday were $60. In a little over two weeks I have spent $820 at the vet.

So, I have sold my Wii and DSi and various other things so I can eat. Haha, I hope that Emmett knows how much I love him.

Emmett is a lucky boy to have such a devoted mom! :)

I'm glad that all is well with Emmett. I know that Emmett know's how very much you love him. You are a great Yorkie Mom to put his needs first.
I myself know all too well about spending lot's of money at the Vet.

Your sweet Emmy is very blessed to have you to take care of him. Hugs

I'd like to give another update on Emmett.

When he was on antibiotics it looked as if his infection had cleared up. The split in the stitches still looked awful, but the vet assured me it was fine. Well, after it started to heal I noticed that a lot of scar tissue, ugly scar tissue healed where the split was. I thought this was normal. Well, yesterday (over a month later) I noticed a small red splotch on the scar tissue, and today Emmett was licking himself down there a lot. I turned him over to look and it his flesh around the scar tissue looks moist, and there is a red spot the size of a pencil eraser.

What can I do? Do you think I should demand another free after surgery check up? I literally have 30$ left in my bank account, and I used up all of my savings to get Emmett his surgery. I'm so upset and angry. I didnt really want to have him neutered in the first place and its been nothing but a horror story. Has anyone else heard of such a thing happening??? Is a lot of scar tissue normal after a neuter on a four year old? I know this redness is not normal. Do you think it is an infection or something else?

Also, should I be irritated with my vet? I was reading on the web and head that if the neuter gets infected and the stitches split they usually have to do another surgery to clean it and prevent scar tissue. My vet never even brought this up to me. Please help me yorkietalk.

Is it possible this is just a reaction to the sutures? Also, sometimes sutures work their way to the surface...maybe that is what is going on. Hopefully, that is what this is. I would definitely take him in for a follow up....I don't see how they could charge you. :(

You need to put an E collar on him if he is licking...that will cause more irritation!

Keep us posted. I am sorry it has been so difficult.

I don't know about the sutures... they were supposed to be the dissolvable kind. The scar tissue has just looked so awful, I can barely look at his little underside anymore without wanting to cry. I really hope he does not have another infection because I wont have the money to buy his medicine again until the 30th of the month.

Sometimes the sutures that are inside work their way to the surface. I am hopeful that is all it is. Call your vet and explain your situation....they really should see him and give you meds if needed .... and let you pay later!

As for the scarring...it will look better in time. It is not going to be as noticable.

I totally agree! You are a great mom!

I agree again. Ladyjane always gives excellent advice.

Well, the vet examined Emmett for free. His scrotal sac is infected. The vet sold me a week supply of antibiotics, and I have to come back for two more weeks worth. The vet said if the infection does not go away they may have to do surgery to remove the scrotum. :( I hope the antibiotics work. I even got a cone collar and Emmett is wearing it. He sure looks cute, but none too happy. Thank you all for your support.