Re: Frenchie w/ Stage V IVDD, Post-Surgery
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2021 5:48 pm
She got debrided this morning and now has basically what resembles a large sweater of bandages on her front half. Poor pup. Thankfully, they did comp the procedure. They still didn't commit to what they think caused it. They kept saying "pressure," but when I asked for clarification on that (bed sore pressure? Really?) they said it probably was something that started in the surgery and was exacerbated by pressure. In any case, since they covered the charges to treat it, I didn't press the issue too hard.
I will take her back to NYC tomorrow, but for the next few weekends we'll need to go out to CT for follow up on the wound, as they want their surgery team to do the first few dressing changes. It's a pain, but hopefully they can transition her over to the primary vet after a couple of weeks.
My dad, god bless him, looked after her the last two days, as I had to be in the city to start the school year. He had a very difficult time expressing her. Felt that it required all the arm strength he could muster. I always found the expression okay, but talking with him more I did become more aware that I use a lot of muscle when doing it. So my dad and I went to pick her up today after the procedure and asked the tech for another demonstration. She was easily able to do it, and using only two fingers in each hand (she "squeezed" with index and pointer of each hand while holding the bladder in place with her ring finger and pinky)! So clearly we aren't actually locating the bladder very well. I've always been able to get urine, but not so effortlessly as this tech (I get that it takes practice). I've watched about every youtube tutorial and read every article online about this, but if you have any secret tips on locating the bladder on a female dog, that would be appreciated. Having my parents be able to take care of her once in awhile significantly relieves some of the stress I've been feeling, but they are getting up there in age and I can't ask them to do it if it's going to cause my dad to pull a muscle!
I will take her back to NYC tomorrow, but for the next few weekends we'll need to go out to CT for follow up on the wound, as they want their surgery team to do the first few dressing changes. It's a pain, but hopefully they can transition her over to the primary vet after a couple of weeks.
My dad, god bless him, looked after her the last two days, as I had to be in the city to start the school year. He had a very difficult time expressing her. Felt that it required all the arm strength he could muster. I always found the expression okay, but talking with him more I did become more aware that I use a lot of muscle when doing it. So my dad and I went to pick her up today after the procedure and asked the tech for another demonstration. She was easily able to do it, and using only two fingers in each hand (she "squeezed" with index and pointer of each hand while holding the bladder in place with her ring finger and pinky)! So clearly we aren't actually locating the bladder very well. I've always been able to get urine, but not so effortlessly as this tech (I get that it takes practice). I've watched about every youtube tutorial and read every article online about this, but if you have any secret tips on locating the bladder on a female dog, that would be appreciated. Having my parents be able to take care of her once in awhile significantly relieves some of the stress I've been feeling, but they are getting up there in age and I can't ask them to do it if it's going to cause my dad to pull a muscle!