Hi Everyone,

You might remember the issues my dog was having from this post:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/246839/page/1#Post246839

Frequent diarrhea and not able to keep weight on. Well, after passing a piece of toy a few weeks ago, she became normal again for about a two week period. Solid stools and eating normal. This past Wednesday morning she threw up a bit. When I got home from work, she was so lethargic. I knew right away she needed to go to the vet. I took her to a new vet and I have to say I think I have found a vet that I like and can trust.

The vet did x-rays and did not see any obstructions but her small intestine seemed larger than normal. The kept her on an IV overnight to see if possibly it was irritable bowel syndrome. In the morning, there was not much improvement seen on the x-ray. Her demeanor was pretty much the same as the night before as well.

The vet discussed all the options and possibilities of what was doing this to her. My husband and I suspected a possible foreign object because she was stretching her stomach in an odd way and seemed to have trouble passing her stool - like constipation. She also did not care about food or toys. Not knowing if there was even any foreign objects in her, we opted to do the abdominal exploratory surgery because she had been having the on and off diarrhea. And, I am very happy we did the surgery because it did save her life.

Here is what they found. THESE WERE NOT ITEMS IN OUR HOUSE. We are guessing they came from a family members house with cats who watched our dog when we were out of town. We are very paranoid about always picking up our house so the dog does not get into things she should not. We also don't have cats or cat toys.

This was in her stomach. It is a mouse head from a cat toy. It is about the size of a lime. The battery is in the photo to give you an idea of size.

http://tinypic.com/r/wr17op/3

This was in her small intestine. Another cat toy. It is about the size of a golf ball.

http://tinypic.com/r/amsl7l/3

I am so glad we opted to do the surgery. When the vet got inside, he said about 1 and 1/2 feet of her small intestine was dead. They had to cut it out and fuse it back together.

Sad story but I am glad we found the cause of all her recent issues. I am hoping she will recover well and be able to get back to her normal weight!

Can anyone tell me about what type of diet I should be feeding her after this surgery. The procedure was just done today and we really have not have a chance to talk in detail with the vet. She does eat a raw diet and I would prefer to keep her on it but obviously I will do whatever it takes to ensure her health and safety. Will a raw diet be too hard on her after a piece of the small intestine has been removed? I know I need to be super careful with the small intestine being fused together because it could come apart and cause all types of problems.

Does anyone have experience with the recovery process from this type of surgery? Any feedback would get great.

Thanks so much!

Wow! Sorry I'm not responding to help you with your feeding questions but I'm fascinated by the story.

I'm happy for your happy ending.

Whew! What a good thing you did this!

The vet is going to have to tell you about the diet. Depending on where the intestine was removed and what condition the rest was in, the vet may advise fluids only for some short period of time. Also, there will likely be a big emphasis on regaining bowel health, so the post-op diet will be geared for that.

Mary Strauss says in some article I read that dogs fed raw who have abdominal surgery might have to discontinue the RMBs until the incisions are completely healed (maybe 10-14 days), and then gradually add them back in.

If that is the case, the dog can be fed ground, or I can help you supplement the calcium needed with boneless meat to maintain the calcium/phosporous ratio.

But all this is based on the vet's advice for the first few days or week or two.

You will want to be ready with a better e-collar than the conehead ones at most vets:

http://www.softecollar.com//page6.html
http://www.hagarcollars.com/


Here are a few general post-op FAQs:

http://www.dovervet.com/popup_postopfaq.html


eta
You will almost certainly going to want a big container of the best unsweetened unflavored live-culture yogurt. Something like Nancy's or Cascade is probably your best bet, and both are at pretty much all natural foods stores.



Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/13/2009 09:23 PM)
Edit reason: e.t.a.

Wow!!! That is amazing! Good for you for following your instinct and opting for the surgery. You saved her life! I'd be glued to the vet's instructions on this one. Keep us posted; I'd be interested to learn what the feeding protocol will be.

Also, get some rest. I'm sure you need it!

Wow! Yeah, I don't think the medicine that my dog got (in the thread I linked in your previous post) would have budged that stuff. No wonder she was so sick. Those things are huge! (Is that a D battery?)

Good outcome! She must be feeling much better already.

Glad to hear the cause of your dog's issues was found. I have no suggestions about the diet, but I personally would write a letter to the first vet who suggested any additional toys would come out on their own (I read that in your original thread). I also would make a point to address in this letter the vet's accusation that your dog's raw food diet had anything to do with your dog's digestive problems.

Best wishes to your dog for a full and speedy recovery.

Double wow! Amanda, I had read your prior post and I'm glad that you were able to get her to surgery and have such a good outcome.

Thanks for updating and please post on what the vet recommends.

Photo from this morning's visit: http://tinypic.com/r/14kxv9v/3

I'm gonna be OK. Just a little sad...

:-)

 Quote: Angela Burrell

(Is that a D battery?)

Yes it is a D battery. She did not swallow that though. The battery is in the photo to give you an idea of the size of the objects.

Wow! She sure is cute. I'm glad she's going to be OK. My dogs eat stuff all the time. I picked up several poop shaped paper towels in the yard this morning. Now I will know some more of the signs to watch for. Scary stuff.