I will never forget that wonderful phrase, “this will be easy, he’s a small dog”. If you ever get the urge to say that to someone pre-op….don’t.
Mufasa’s hemangiopericytoma was removed once, and came back with a vengeance in 8 weeks. Intertwined in bone, blood vessels, tendons, nerves etc., it was clear the only option was amputation. And quick, the mass was breaking through the skin in several places.
Mufasa’s surgery went off without a hitch, done in 1 1/2 hours. I was expecting this “gigantic” 12 pound pup to be at least up and bearing weight by day 2. I was wrong. Mufasa spent the first 24 hours in a fentanyl haze…probably a good thing. He screamed through the night, however, and I quickly decided he wanted the lights on. Maybe some opiate dysphoria.
36 hours post-op, surely he would want to get up to at least pee or drink something yummy. No such luck. Serious signs of dehydration led to SQ fluids, and yet another night of crying. He seemed frantic. Something was surely wrong. 5AM, time to go to the ER. Vet says his bladder is massive and drains it. She also gives him med for urethral relaxation.
Another 24 hours of sleeping and no desire to drink, eat or pee. Gosh this isn’t what I expected at all.
A dear vet friend gives him an acupuncture treatment for bladder retention. 1/2 way through Mufasa gets up…looking at the front door. I take him out and guess what?! Pee! I tried to help him stand but he wanted to do it on his own. He looked like a drunken sailor but he found some grass and did his business. Brought him back in and he laid down as if he just ran a marathon.
I am so proud of him, and am re-adjusting my expectations. Just because he’s a small dog doesn’t mean this process is any easier for him. He has little legs with just as little muscles to match his little body. Rehab and strengthening will be a big focus for him this week.
All that being said, I am thankful he is here, and that surgery was an option. I am happy to give him all the time and support he needs to recover. He is my best friend, my hiking partner, my co-pilot and snuggle buddy.