Anvik needed surgery..Latest update post 161

[applesmom]

It's great to hear Anvik is on the road to recovery.

Did the vet think the tear was a result of being slammed during the fight?

[dukedogsmom]

Poor baby. I'm so glad the intestine wasn't damaged. I hope he'll be home tonight. It'll be so much easier for him to get well in his own surroundings with his mama. Give him some gentle lovin' from all of us here.

[whomeee]

glad anvik is doing better hope for a speedy recovery

[Glacier]

Anvik is home. Unfortunately, the good news almost stops there! I finally got to talk to his vet tonight when I picked him up. The reason that there is no intestine damage is that once he had opened Annie up, he discovered it wasn't his intestine at all. Anvik's KIDNEY had popped out!!! My vet says this is the second time in his career he's seen this and the other dog had other massive trauma from being run over. Dr. Rick said it's so rare that he can't even find a mention of it in all his reference manuals. There was some hemorraging in the kidney itself. So in a couple weeks, Anvik will need to go back to the vet for bloodwork. Dr. Rick is worried that there could be permanent damage to his kidney.

It also means that Anvik can't have any pain meds. Any pain medication is processed in the kidney. Any extra stress on an already damaged organ could be devastating. He is clearly in pain. His eyes are dull; he's holding his head and tail low. He looks exhausted. After his last surgery, with pain meds, he pranced out of the office, wooing and howling his head off. I haven't heard a peep out of him. It's breaking my heart to see him in such obvious pain, but I can't risk doing permanent damage!

Above the surgery site, there is another lump. It's from badly torn muscles. They have been sewn together as much as possible, but some are so seriously ripped they can't be sutured! Anvik may always have a lump there. His healing may take longer since the muscle has to heal on it's own, but he will heal.

He has to spend the next two weeks on pure crate rest--outside on leash to pee and back into his crate. Once the sutures are out, he can go for short, on-leash walks. In about a month to six weeks, if all goes according to plan, he can start pulling again--short runs with the slower dogs and build back up to long, fast runs. I don't care if Anvik couldn't pull ever again; he'd still be here and be well loved, but Anvik would care. He loves to work and he would not be happy if he couldn't.

The other good news was the bill wasn't quite as massive as I was expecting! I'm glad to have him home. I'm almost looking forward to hearing the death howl!

[Daisy and Delilah]

OMG Tamara!! I'm glad he's home. I've never hear of this happening before. My mouth is still hanging open. How horrible for poor Anvik(you guys too). I know it's breaking your heart to watch him have so much pain and you can't help him. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. GET WELL HANDSOME MAN!!!

[Kfamr]

Goodness, Poor Anvik cannot recieve a break on this one, can he? Poor boy, I know if must be near unbearable without pain meds. I bet you're taking it a lot better than most of us would, though. Our dogs are just something special, aren't they?

I bet it must kill you to see Anvik like that, Tamara, I am so sorry. I am glad he is home though, he'll do much better in his mommy's care.

Sweet Anvik, get some rest and get better, okay?

Hugs to the momma's boy..

[critter crazy]

Poor Anvik!!! I am so glad he is home, and is on the mend, butWhat a thing to have to go through! Poor baby, i just hope he heals fast, and is back to his old self in no time! Rest yourself Anvik! Be a good dog, and you will be fine.

[dukedogsmom]

Oh dear. Very sorry to hear that. It sounds much more serious than what we originally thought. I know it must be hard to see him like that and feel so helpless. I hope the pain goes away. It would be very rough not to get to have any pain medication at all.

[cyber-sibes]

Poor boy! good thing you rushed him right to the vet (as you always do!) Did the doctor think all his injuries happened in the dog fight, or is it possible his muscle or kidney problem may have started some other way? We'll have all paws crossed for him. May you hear the death howl soon and loud, so you know he's feeling better.

[Bengalz]

What a fright for Anvik and for you Glad to hear his surgery went well but very sorry about the kidney problem The poor boy must be in dreadful pain. Does icing do anything to numb it or help with swelling? Was your vet able to give him anything to ease the discomfort?

Two weeks can be such a long time ... lots of healing vibes for that sweet boy and good thoughts for you Tamara. Your patience in these situations just overwhelms me How lucky your dogs (and cats ) are to have such a caring and nurturing mommy.

Hugs,
Betty

[Jakesmom]

I'd suggest asking your vet again for some pain meds. NSAIDS (meloxicam, rimadyl, etc) are potentially damaging to the kidney (though in a trauma case as this is, not intrinsic kidney disease, I wouldn't be quite so cautious), but narcotics are primarily metabolized in the liver. He should be able to get codeine, fentanyl, etc without damage to he kidney. People have kidney transplants (and just have the one new kidney), and they get plenty of narcotics for the pain.

Good luck, and hope he feels better soon.

Jake's mom

[Glacier]

Poor boy! Did the doctor think all his injuries happened in the dog fight, or is it possible his muscle or kidney problem may have started some other way?

He said it was basically "blunt force trauma", all from the scuffle, and a total fluke! Anvik was in the exact wrong position at the exact wrong moment! If I live to be 100, I will probably never have this happen to another dog!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Anvik was in the exact wrong position at the exact wrong moment!

If I live to be 100, I will probably never have this happen to another dog!

LORDY ~ Sure HOPE you never have a "repeat" of this!

You and Anvik will prolly get a write-up in the Vet's Favorite Magazine ...
ONCE otta be enough!

"Feelin Better" already? ... That Boy has some SPUNK!!