Spirit Crossed the Bridge Today..... June 9, 2016

[Joan]

I can empathize with your concern for sure. Did not know Newfies were tricky for surgery. Just to relieve some of your anxiety, pugs are notoriously bad at anesthesia. We have had so many surgeries over the yrs, and only had one problem.

All of my vets have used gas (isoflurane), but they also use a pre-op med to intubate so they can administer the gas. My only problem was Louie, who had an allergy to that med combo, and his heart stopped. They revived him and he was fine, no surgery that day! ON subsequent surgeries on him, we skipped the pre-op med and went straight to the gas, but you will find they wake up very quickly, and very scared and confused. With the pre-op they wake up slowly and kind of get their bearings.

So with Louie, I am in the recovery room, and take him in my arms off the surgery table, as he wakes up, and that helps. But in more than 20 surgeries on pugs, no lasting problems. It sounds like you have an excellent vet, and you and Spirit will be fine.

Prayers for you both, Joan

[Judi]

let us know how it goes Jim. Jenny had anesthesia twice during her time as a diabetic. The vet was a nervous wreck but she came through like a champ both times. hoping the same for Spirit

[farrwf]

How much does it cost you a month, Craig?

[CraigM]

Originally Posted by farrwf

How much does it cost you a month, Craig?

Hard to really figure out. It really depends on how frequently you need to refill their water bowl. The 8 oz bottle costs about $19 from Amazon and I'm just finishing the first bottle after 5-6 months(?). The bottle has a pump top and the dosage is 2 pumps per quart of water (never measured what a "pump" measures). Annie doesn't drink all that much water, and as I said, I treat maybe 4 bowls of one quart capacity per week.

Craig

[farrwf]

OK, thanks, I'll try it on Sonny.

Seems his teeth need cleanings frequently. His last cleaning was in January and his breath is kind of raunchy again, so the vet's gonna take a look this afternoon to see if they need to be cleaned again.

[jim maceri]

Dropped Spirit off at 9:00 a.m.

I talked to the vet on Sunday (great guy) and he told me to go ahead and feed spirit at 5:00 a.m. and give him his normal insulin. Once we got there he told me that the procedure for diabetic dogs is to give them an IV of what he said was like a xanax to "mellow" them out. He then intibates him and only uses a gas anesthesia since it goes in the lungs and out of the lungs and does not get processed in the liver and kidneys. He also said that doing it this way allows the dog to come out very quickly once the procedure is done.

He assured me he would be checking his blood sugar before, during and after the procedure to make sure his levels are o.k. and once per hour until 4:00 when I pick him up. Spirit woke up at 5:00 with a reading of 239 before food and shot. At 7:30 before our walk he was 313 and a post test after the walk had him at 190. He is going to be sending me home with some antibiotics for a few days for him since they have to laser off a small gum nodule behind his right canine tooth.

He made me feel much better about the procedure so now I hope he wants to eat when he gets back at his 5:00 meal, although Spirit has NEVER turned down food......keeping my fingers crossed and will let you all know the results once he's back home.

[Joan]

sounds like your vet is very thorough, and Spirit could not be in better hands.

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

all fingers and toes are crossed! Looking forward to a positive update this evening!

[farrwf]

Ditto on the vet comment, ... hoping it's a good visit for The Spirit.

[jim maceri]

Picked up the big guy.....the vet tested him prior to the procedure at 11:00 and he was 180.....it took about an hour to do everything and he was 167 after. At 3:00 he was 102, I picked him up at 3:30 and based on the numbers coming down I gave him one milk bone laced with some Karo and now at 4:00 he is 125 with the meal coming in about an hour.

All went well although he is a bit groggy still and just snoozing at my feet as I write this. The vet decided not to send him home with any antibiotics instead they gave him a shot. While he was under I had them draw blood to do a full CBC and all of his blood levels where in the normal range with the exception of his glucose of course. That IS GREAT NEWS. Love the fact this animal hospital doesn't have to send out to get the results.

So tonight I'll just throw a pillow on the floor, pick out a good movie and keep an eye on him.

Craig, I ordered the zymox and will begin trying that when it arrives, thanks for the recommendation. BTW.....He DOES have a million dollar smile now, the ladies will love him when we get back to our camp in florida.

Thanks for all the advice and moral support folks...this place is the best!