| ladyjane | 03-24-2014 04:45 PM |
Emergency Scrotal Urethrostomy
My sweet little foster, Tiny Tim (aka Timmy), had emergency surgery today due to a bladder stone that was blocking his urethra.
Poor Timmy has had stones twice in a short time...this makes the third. I cannot help but wonder if this one was somehow overlooked when he had surgery recently; but I will never know for sure. I know my vet is very careful and they did do xrays after the surgery. Bottom line though is that it would not matter...he is obviously a recurrent stone former which can happen sometimes.
This is his thread from his recent surgery: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...er-stones.html
The day started out very normal. I was taking Timmy and Lovey for their follow up appointments with the specialists. Hers was for her ortho surgery. His was with the vet nutritionist. The tech took Timmy to the back for vital signs to be checked and for the vet to see him. They then came back to the room and Dr. Lenox asked if Timmy had been dribbling urine lately (he had not). I had noticed after he went back that there was some urine on the blanket in the stroller but I did not know who had done it. It struck me as odd but not something that really concerned me until she asked about him dribbling. She said he had done it twice in the few minutes she had him in the back and she felt he needed an ultrasound to check for stones and they would also do a cysto so they could culture his urine. Next thing I know they came out asking if they could put a catheter in because they were not sure if he had sediment in his urethra or if there was a prostrate issue. When they passed the catheter they found that there had been a stone in the urethra. :( Poor little Timmy.
They recommended a scrotal urethrostomy. I have heard of them, but have never had a pup that needed one. So, here we go with another new thing. Never ending in this house I swear.
Here is a link about the scrotal urethrostomy: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/ur...struction-dogs
The surgeon called late this afternoon and said that Timmy did well. He will be there for two days. It is important that they be kept quiet. There is a lot of blood in that area, so they must be watched carefully for bleeding. Then when he is discharged he must wear an E-collar for two weeks...she said that is a MUST. She sends them home with two, one soft and one hard collar. She said that the hard collar will prevent the licking but the soft is better because it won't poke at the site. I looked at pictures of these things and shuddered. I feel so badly for this poor boy.
After this, he is now going to have yet another diet formulated by the nutritionist. I have to say I am ultra impressed with her! She was right on top of this ... clearly she is a good vet in addition to being a nutritionist! | 