nancy in AZ Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 What first gave me that "uh-oh" feeling was Sat evening when she burped several times over a period of hours. Sunday she ate breakfast enthusiastically and was acting normally. It wasn't until that afternoon that she seemed not quite "right". So I took her for a brief walk, during which she had a normal b.m. By early evening I wasn't comfortable taking a wait and see approach, so I called the on call vet who suggested I bring her in for X-rays. No blockage was evident, but there were a lot of gas bubbles that confirmed suspicions that there was some GI issue in the works. We debated whether or not to proceed with surgery, but in the end, we agreed that I'd take her home, and if there were any sign of decline, I'd bring her back for surgery. She received a couple of injections, a steroid for the inflammation and something to increase her gut motility, and I took her home in hopes that she would pass whatever it was. By late evening she was acting very restless and had become agitated, so I called the on call vet and told her I was bringing her back for surgery. By the time the vet called me back after the surgery it was nearly 1:00 a. m. This time, the culprit was a piece of cow hoof that Kit had broken off and swallowed. It wasn't very big, but big enough to do damage. The vet said it had made it past the point of last year's resection in her small bowel. When I went to visit her yesterday afternoon she wasn't perky as she had been following her prior surgeries. She ate a bit this morning, so that's a good sign and the vet is encouraged that she'll recover. My mind keeps traveling to that "dark place" since I know from prior experience she's not out of the woods yet. It was one day shy of the six month anniversary of Kit's first bowel obstruction surgery. Please keep her in your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Oh how terrible for you both. Here's to a full and uneventful recovery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecretBC Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Wow, that is nothing compared to what has come back out of my dogs (from both ends). Scary that it was causing such problems. I've gotten to the point where I severely monitor anything they are chewing --- of course, that doesn't stop them from finding things on their own, which is always the scary part. This is what Secret threw up not all that long after I got her, sometime around 16-20 weeks old: The pen is there for size reference. Pretty sure that's the biggest thing that's come out of her to date. Sending good healing thoughts for Kit!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 I am thinking good thoughts for your girl's quick and lasting recovery, Nancy. This is rather a timely post for me. Last night, I fed my dogs a dinner of raw cow liver, elk meat, and sheep meaty bones--a fairly typical meal for them. I put Sophie's bowl down, and she went to snarf up her food as usual. I began washing dishes at the sink and could tell something was wrong--she had paused standing over her food--so I began watching her. She moved a few steps toward the center of the kitchen, and I suspected she was choking. I grabbed her and put my hand down her throat, trying to clear the airway. I thought I felt something give, so I took my hand out. No change in her demeanor, and she started to move toward the back door. I grabbed her again and literally shoved my arm down her throat until I felt the obstruction (a piece of the elk meat) slide further down her gullet--and instantly she was back. She swallowed the errant piece of meat and went right back to her dinner bowl. I am quite sure she might have choked to death had I not seen what was going on. Very scary. (And it could have happened with anything she swallowed--it's not that feeding a raw diet is inherently dangerous. She was just eating too fast and her food went down the wrong way.) Good reminder for me to watch my dogs eat their food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 This is all so freakin' scary. Many good thoughts and prayers for Kit, Nancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Scary. I hope Kit recovers uneventfully. Jovi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Good mojo for a quick recovery for Kit. How awful for you Nancy. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Awww, I hope she feels better soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Lots of good thoughts for you and Kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy Evans Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Been there with the resection so I know what you're going through. I hope she has a very uneventful recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Best of thoughts and prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Lots of mojo and good thoughts coming Kit's way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 I hope Kit's feeling a lot better and has a smooth recovery. Please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 All the best for Kits recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Hoping for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Any update? How is she doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 I was also wondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in AZ Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Kit's doing well. First couple of days following the surgery were really rough. She'd never whimpered and cried during the last go around, and given how stoic I know she is, I was filled with dread. She turned the corner two days after the surgery and has shown steady progress since. Now, she's bright-eyed and waggy-tailed again. ( In fact, she's bounced back sooner than I have ) This time around, she didn't require a bowel resection, thank goodness. Her staples/stitches won't come out for another week, so until then, she'll continue to accompany me to the office. Once again (and I hope for the last time ) THANK YOU for your well wishes, prayers and concern!! They really are a comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Good to hear. She is one tough kid. But its about time she quits pushing her luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 So glad to hear this good update! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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