Kia and Chipper need surgery

[ramanth]

Today I took Kia and Chipper in for their annual exams. Late last week, Chipper developed a hematoma in the right ear, so I of course had the vet give her opinions on treatment.

Kia weighs in at 62 lbs! Chipper is up to 56 as well. Kia is now slightly overweight so I need to trim her up. :o

The vet found Kia has two broken teeth, so she recommended a dental cleaning. Having her knocked out worries me because of her age, but she'll have blood tests and x-rays prior to make sure she can handle the anesthetic.

Both of Chipper's ear canals were swollen. The vet suspects allergies. He doesn't excessively scratch, but does shake his head a lot, which caused the hematoma.

The vet recommended a surgical procedure to remove the fluid and stitch a brace to the ear. If all goes well, his ear may stand back up.

So Chipper is scheduled to go in this Thursday. He will have to stay the night, possibly two. He'll also get his vaccinations while under the anesthetic.

Kia is scheduled for next Thursday. She should be able to come home the same day unless there are complications.

But, other than the teeth and ear issues, they are doing very well and are overall healthy. :love:

Now, to not stress out..... :rolleyes: :D

[Karen]

Awww, no stressing out, mom - easier said than done, I know!

My older brother got the opposite news, his Nilla is actually a bit underweight (12-year-old Husky/Lab) so Nilla gets to have extra treats! This will NOT be a problem, as Nilla will happily chow down most anything available.

And I am sure Kia will handle the anesthesia fine - don't you all wish we humans could be knocked unconscious for our dental work sometimes? ;)

[ramanth]

It's funny, because people have remarked about how much bigger Kia looks. I was just surprised it was THAT much. :o :D

I'll do my best not to fret. :cool: Ironically, I don't mind the dentist.

[Freedom]

Ironically, I don't mind the dentist.

Good, you can take my place, next Thurs, 10 AM. :D

The dental doesn't sound too bad, for her age, that is to be an expected report from a vet visit, I think. The testing prior will help ensure she does well. Have some canned food on hand for the first few days she is home.

The eat thingie, ouch I hate ear infections! I didn't see where you said what to do about the ears being swollen from allergies? That may be an ongoing issue, but with luck, regular ear drops will help ease that. The procedure for the hematoma and all, best wishes with that. Pull out the cone collar!

I see extra walkies in yours and Kia's future, lol.

[chocolatepuppy]

Pawsitive thoughts and prayers for both Kia and Chipper. I'm sure all will go well, but just as sure you'll still worry.;)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that both of their surgeries go well. My cat Storm is 16 and he had a dental cleaning and had 4 teeth extracted in April and everything went well so please try not to worry too much. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent their way.

[ramanth]

Poor Chipper was so scared and confused this morning. While sitting in the waiting room, he put his front paws on my lap and started trembling. I pulled him up into my lap and he continued shaking. I felt so bad for him. :(

He gave me the 'why are you leaving me?!?!?!' look when the tech led him away. :(

The vet said no news is good news, but if I don't hear from them, I can call after 2 pm for an update.

If all goes well, he can come home after 11 am tomorrow. They'll contact me in the morning if he has to stay an extra night.

Kia's moping, so she misses her buddy.

[Alysser]

I'm sorry you they both need surgery.. that's never fun! I hope all is well....update when you can!

[ramanth]

Surgery went well. Chipper woke up fine from the anesthesia and is resting comfortably. :) They asked for me to call at 11 am tomorrow to find out if he can come home. :love:

[robinh]

Such good news! Bet you'll be glad when he's back home.

[cassiesmom]

Surgery went well. Chipper woke up fine from the anesthesia and is resting comfortably. :) They asked for me to call at 11 am tomorrow to find out if he can come home. :love:

Yay! ((HUGS))) Chipper !

[ramanth]

Chipper is home! :):love:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/7178648314_161a3c2ff3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7178648314/)
Chipper after surgery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7178648314/) by ramanth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ramanth/), on Flickr

He's on antibiotics, pain meds, antihistamines, and has an ear ointment. The next couple of weeks are going to be fun. :o I have to also apply a warm compress to the ear twice a day.

He goes back Monday for a follow up. The bandage that is stitched to his ear will come off in about two weeks.

He's overall in good spirits, but of course hates the 'Cone of Shame', and wants to rub the ear on everything and anything.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm glad to hear that his surgery went well and that he's now back home.:) I hope that he'll recover quickly and be a good boy and take all of his meds too.:)

[Karen]

Oh, Chipper, I know it's itchy, but if you are good boy, and leave the ear alone while it heals, you'll be back good as new in no time! Be patient with mama Kim as she gives you the medicine and the warm compresses, okay? I'll save a watermelon rind for you ....

[ramanth]

Chipper had a follow up visit today.

The outside of his ear is healing well and the hematoma is draining properly. His ear canals are still pretty swollen though, so I need to apply the medication there.

His next checkup is this Thursday and Kia will also be dropped off that morning for her dental cleaning and possible tooth pulling.

[ramanth]

Dropped Kia off at the vets this morning for her dental surgery. They said I could call after 2 for an update.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/7216201568_7e85aa7391.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7216201568/)
Kia at vet prior to surgery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7216201568/) by ramanth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ramanth/), on Flickr

Today is also the day that my friend was killed by a drunk driver. I said a silent prayer to Jordan and Phred to keep an eye on Kia. :love:

[ramanth]

Kia's surgery has been postponed. The preliminary tests showed she has a bronchial infection. So it's a course of antibiotics for her.

[Karen]

Aww, sorry she has to wait, but glad they checked beforehand! We wouldn't want them to take any unnecessary risks with your pretty girl!

[cassiesmom]

Aww, sorry she has to wait, but glad they checked beforehand! We wouldn't want them to take any unnecessary risks with your pretty girl!

I hope Chipper's ear is much better and I hope Kia's infection clears up really fast! (((HUGS)))

[ramanth]

Thanks! Chipper had another followup today and his ear is still improving. He goes back in one week to have the bandage/stitches removed. :)

Kia goes back in two weeks. They hope by then that the antibiotics will have taken care of the infection. :)

[ramanth]

I woke up this morning to the sound of Chipper bashing the cone against every piece of furniture in the house. The base of the ear was inflamed and the bandage was coming off so I took him in to the vets.

He had an appointment to remove the bandage tomorrow, but obviously that wasn't soon enough. :rolleyes: So he's spending the night there.

Talked with the vet a few minutes ago. She is going to lightly sedate Chipper tomorrow and remove the ear bandage. Then they'll assess it and let me know the next steps. Right now he's resting comfortably with some strong painkillers. :)

[Karen]

Oh, Chipper! That's not the way to earn "good dog" points! So sorry he's had this set-back, poor guy! Sometimes sedatives are a good thing.

[ramanth]

Chipper did well and was resting comfortably when I called this afternoon. He had a new bandage put on and will be spending another night at the vets. I'm to call around 2pm tomorrow for another update, though I think they'll let me bring him home tomorrow. :)

[Karen]

So what did they say about long-term? Will his ear be a stand-up ear again once this is all over?

[ramanth]

We're hoping so. Even if it can't stand up anymore, we hope the procedure will keep his ear less 'cauliflower-like' like Kia's are.

[ramanth]

And this makes night number 3 that Chipper is spending at the vets. :( Miss my boy, but he's in pain & this is what's best for him.

The second surgery was successful though.

[cassiesmom]

((((HUGS)))), Chipper and Mom!

[Karen]

And this makes night number 3 that Chipper is spending at the vets. :( Miss my boy, but he's in pain & this is what's best for him.

The second surgery was successful though.

Awww, poor Chipper - you and Kia must miss him terribly! Save him a watermelon rind for me this weekend!

[ramanth]

Chipper will continue to stay at the vet over the holiday weekend. He's not in as much pain as before and the ear is healing nicely. I miss him, but I know he's in good hands. :love:

Because of the limited weekend staff, no one will be answering the phones, but they will call me if something comes up. So no news is good news.

Hopefully he can come home on Tuesday.

[Karen]

Here's hoping the extended stay will do the trick and the ear will heal all the way! Sending healing prayers his way!

[ramanth]

Look who is happy to be home!! :love:
53709

He ran around the backyard like a crazy dog and then immediately crashed fast asleep. :D

He has a followup this Friday. Not sure how long he'll have to wear the cone. Probably a week or two. And you'll notice it's not blue. He ate that cone while at the vets. :rolleyes: :eek: This is the replacement.

Hope he leaves the ear alone this time. :p

[Karen]

Welcome home, Chipper - we have missed you!

[snakemama]

Aw Chipper, I know it's upsetting, but let that itchy ear heal up so you can be back to your bouncy self asap!

[ramanth]

Kia is back at the vets. They'll redo the chest x-ray, then do the surgery if the infection is gone. :)

[ramanth]

Kia's surgery went well & one broken tooth was removed. She took a little longer to wake from the anesthesia, was in pain when she did, so they increased the dosage of painkillers, & she's resting now. Will check back @ 4:30 to see if she can come home tonight. :)

[ramanth]

When I called at 4:30, they told me to stop in at 5:30. Unfortunately, Kia wasn't up for it. The vet could get her to stand but she wouldn't move. :( So Kia is staying the night at the vets.

Chipper has a followup tomorrow morning and hopefully Kia will be well enough to come home then. :love:

[Karen]

Here's hoping everyone gets to be home tomorrow, and is healing well!

[ramanth]

Kia is home! :love:
53750

Her face is slightly swollen on the right side, but she is eating. Nothing but rest and relaxation for her. :cool:

Chipper's ear is looking good. If all goes well, he'll have the stitches removed next Thursday. :)

[Karen]

Weeee, the whole gang together again, and on the mend! Congrats! Hope everything continues to heal smoothly!

[ChrisH]

So happy to hear Kia is back home! :D Not as happy as you are though, eh? :)
Good Chipper news too.:D

Sending hugs and kisses to them both.

[ramanth]

Chipper got the stitches and ear bandage off last Thursday. The cone has to stay on another week. It's healing up really nice and he hasn't tried to really get at it. I think most scratching at this point is due to the annoyance of the cone (his neck and head itch).

Ear a bit raw right after the stitches came out
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7360291774_c02e155318_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7360291774/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7360291774/) by ramanth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ramanth/), on Flickr

His new look
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7360294018_dc9b656d8d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7360294018/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7360294018/) by ramanth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ramanth/), on Flickr

Zam giving him love.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7175070391_6240ba23e9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7175070391/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7175070391/) by ramanth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ramanth/), on Flickr

[4 Dog Mother]

I hadn't seen this before Kimmy. Sorry that both dogs had to have surgery. Chipper's new look is very cute - is there any hope that the ear will stand eventually? I am glad Kia is past the tooth pulling part and will be feeling better each day. Both Taggert and Cinder need teeth pulled and will be having it done soon. Just haven't set a date yet due to some other issues that are going on.

[ramanth]

I hadn't seen this before Kimmy. Sorry that both dogs had to have surgery. Chipper's new look is very cute - is there any hope that the ear will stand eventually? I am glad Kia is past the tooth pulling part and will be feeling better each day. Both Taggert and Cinder need teeth pulled and will be having it done soon. Just haven't set a date yet due to some other issues that are going on.

Originally there was hope the ear would stand back up. But when they had to do the second surgery, it's looking like it'll be permanently flopped over.

Kia's recovering great. Both dogs have completed all their medications.

Hope Taggert and Cinder do well! :love:

[ramanth]

Chipper is Cone Free!! :love: :D :love: :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7373100628_3c4d39ef44_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7373100628/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramanth/7373100628/) by ramanth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ramanth/), on Flickr

The vet said his ear may eventually stand back up. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. If not, it gives him (more) character. :cool:

[Karen]

That's just a great picture! And it's not like he was lacking character before! :) Congratulations on life outside the come, Chipper!