Dude's surgery **UPDATE 1/17**

[rg_girlca]

I am sorry I am just seeing this now also.

My goodness what a heartfelt story about precious Dude. Lizzie, you have a heart of gold.

There is NO excuse for this to happen to Dude. Okay, maybe leaving one root during the removal of teeth, but to leave all four, is unacceptable. This vet had to have known that this was going to leave Dude in pain.

I pray that his surgery went well and he will be back home in your arms very soon. He sounds like such a sweetheart and deserves to live the rest of his life pain free.

Bless you Lizzie, for all that you have done and are continuing to do for precious Dude. You truely are his Guardian Angel.

[orangemm]

How is Dude doing??

[Lizzie]

Many thanks for asking about Dude and sending your best wishes.

There were 14 retained roots in all, some fully exposed and so causing constant pain and irritation. I can't let myself think about what Dude has been suffering, though it often comes into my mind. I will talk to my own vet, and the specialist when I take Dude back for a check-up in two weeks, and get their input before I write to the Director of the shelter. I want to have all my facts just right. It came into my mind today that perhaps a tech. did some or all of the surgery, we've heard about them performing neuters quite routinely at some shelters. I can't imagine a qualified vet leaving in fourteen roots.

However, on to how Dude is doing - very well! He was already eating when I called for him at the clinic on Thursday evening. They laughed and said that he didn't want to leave his food as they put him in his carrier. He's been tucking into his wet food ever since and really enjoying it. It was good to see him sit on the bed and wash his face afterwards and I suddenly realized that I hadn't seen him do that much. He ate because he had to, in spite of the pain, but he didn't want to touch his face if he didn't have to. Another great sign is that when I do get his mouth open to squirt in his medicine, I can see that his gums are pink for the first time. Whenever he's yawned and I've take a quick peek before, they've always been very red.

The medicine is murder. He's still on pain meds, which have a narcotic base, so I wait half-an-hour for that to take effect before I squirt in the antibiotic. I have to wrap him in a soft robe and then tie the tie around his upper body. Then I put his head in a vice-like grip between my knees and wrestle with his head to squirt the med in his mouth, hoping that he doesn't choke. He gets most of it, that's the best I can do. The first day, before I thought of tying him in the robe, he hurled himself out as soon as the med was in his mouth, crashed into my night table, and overturned a full mug of tea which went drenched the remote, phone and clock.

The pain med is one that is absorbed through the gums so it needs to be oral. Once he's off that tomorrow, I may move to Clavamox tabs, crushed into a bit of wet food. The injections would have to be intramuscular because he gets sores (he's got two now) from sub-q injections. I can't do im injections on my own and would have to pay a tech to come in twice a day.

As for spoiling, well of course! Dude's idea of being spoiled is to spend lots of time with me, which couldn't be nicer for me too. He's on my lap now, leaning into my chest. I'm steeling myself to give him his next round of meds.

[kallisto4529]

I am so glad he is doing so well, I cant imagine how difficult it must be to give him those meds though, bless your heart. please keep us posted on how he is doing, i will continue the prayers and positive thoughts for full recovery for him, and alot more years for you both.

[sprokett]

good to hear hes getting better i cant belive the shelter can do that!!!

[Medusa]

This story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Heartbreaking because of all the pain that Dude needlessly suffered and heartwarming because you came into his life and saved him from misery. Bless you both and please continue to update us.

Blessings,
Mary

[Catty1]

Glad he is off the oral meds tomorrow...and eating and washing his face!

What a HAPPIER Dude! Does he seem more affectionate and purr more?

HUGS to that sweet boy, and blessings to you!