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!

Oh man! Poor Timmy just can't catch a break (neither can you :().

Praying for Timmy and you...

Yeah, I think I am ready to sit on the pity pot for a while. But, every time I start feeling sorry for me, I think of that poor boy and the surgery they did. I looked at the picture on that link I posted and it brought tears to my eyes. Poor little angel. Life is so unfair to them sometimes. In the long run he will be fine, but that does not make this better for him. :(

Poor Timmy. He's lucky he has you.

Poor little Timmy! I took a look at the article and just about passed out from the photos. I had a cat with bladder stones once. Fortunately, it only required a catheter and they didn't return.

I feel bad about Timmy having to wear the hard E-collar, having had my current experience with them after Bella's MPL surgery. Hopefully he will perk up soon and tolerate it well.

Poor little Timmy! Praying for him. He is very lucky to have you and a great team of doctors.

Keeping Timmy in my prayers, and hope his recovery goes well.

Poor little guy! Thank goodness he has such good care providers to help him. This sounds so painful.

So glad the little guy has you and also has wonderful vets. Prayers for a quick recovery.

hope he gets better soon

sending many prayers for Timmy.

Morning Update
 

Timmy is doing well this morning! They said he is urinating just fine and eating well! :)
They will call me again tomorrow morning. He will most likely be discharged tomorrow if everything is going as smoothly as it is.

yay that is great news.....

Poor little fella! But so glad to read he is already doing well and urinating, good boy! Hope he is able to come home soon :).

Is Tiny coming home today? Hope all is still well...

Getting ready right now to pick him up!! :) I will post later today....

Hope all is well for the little guy. :(

Timmy is safe and sound in my home. :) I will post later ... just a tad bit upset about another pup that I cannot help in spite of wanting to. I need to go hug my pups. Thank you all for caring about little Timmy.

I'm so glad little Timmy is home safely. Thank you for all you do for the pups like him that would be cast aside by another. He is a very lucky boy to have you and his wonderful vets beside him as he faced this emergency challenge. I'm glad he is now on the road to recovery. Please give him a hug and a squeeze from me and mine.

glad lil timmy is home safe. wishing him a full recovery.

Timmy is ok. I feel terrible though because he must wear two collars no matter what! She said that they can do extensive damage to the surgical site in a very short time....they really put the fear in me. The collars are huge on him. :(

He did eat well but I know he hates the crate. He will be in it for two weeks. :(

The surgery sites look good...he has the scar from the cystotomy and then the other surgery site where they did the SU. It is pink looking but not as bad as that picture on that link, thank goodness. I will try to get some pics later or tomorrow if I can. I have an appt. for Summer at the specialist so that will take another chunk of time.

Very happy to hear he is back home with you. Poor boy having to suffer the double collars and crate. At least it is only 2 weeks and not longer.

Praying for his perfect recovery.

He will be better quick.:) I know this is a nasty procedure, but a slight variant is done in male cats all the time (side note: all male cats should have insurance for their bladders!!). Thinking of him. :love:

Thanks, Crystal. I feel so horrible for him....it's like we mutilated him. :( I know it was best, but it kills me when I think about it.

Aww, I know.:(

Just remind yourself about the potential to avoid more cystotomies.
Those are awful too. It is all a bloody mess.

True, this was his third one in less than a year. I could not let that continue. It is just so sad for me but he seems ok. :) They are such resilient little ones.

oh no two collars..yikes. sending well wishes for a fast recovery.

I'm glad that Timmy is safe at home and urinating okay. That's a good sign! Things will only get better for him!

I'm curious about the two collars--how does that work? Post photos when you can!

I took some last night but did not look at them yet. Getting ready to go to GCVS with another issue. :( They think my foster, Tootsie, may be having renal issues. Taking Timmy with me so I can keep an eye on him. Might try to get more pics. :) He has a little shirt on that says Little Dog/ Big Attitude and that is SO Timmy. :) He is pretty chipper today! :)