I would also like to know what the tramadol dose is, and what his weight is? I assume it's a 50mg? I'm not sure of how heavy he actually is, even though he looks tall. Like Betty says, the recovery from the anesthesia can be extremely disorienting and some dogs take it very rough.
It sounds like you have a good vet though, and I'm sure she would have administered proper post-op meds (Hydro, etc.), if needed.
The tramadol can have a dramatic effect on some dogs, and not nearly so much on others.
Also, he is likely is a bit more pain because of the testicle that was left intact - you are indeed lucky to have found a vet willing to remove only one.

I'm way late on this.... bummer! Have not had much LB time lately.

Like Dr.Betty said- some dogs are quite dramatic coming out of anesthesia. (I'm not saying he's not in pain, not at all. He's likely in a large amount of pain!) Some of the anesthesia inducing drugs as well as the anesthesia it's-self is known for causing vocalization in recovery. I'm pretty sure that is what you were going through the other night.

I'm glad to hear he's feeling a bit better now. How's he doing with the soft cone? Another option to consider (and one I've never seen/heard a vet recommend) that works well for Koenig is a basket muzzle to prevent the licking. He does not shut-down like he does in a cone. (We're fighting with some nasty cuts on his leg over here that he won't quit licking) Just another option is the cone is not going well!

Having had many senior adoptees, I've seen a fair number of post-procedure dogs' reactions. What has happened to my POV is that I tend often to question the pain-med dosage for Day 1 and maybe Day 2. Unrelenting pain can cause what looks to me like real anxiety and even a dog form of depression. Finding tramadol a decade or so ago as the one to have on hand for a bit of extra oomph if needed has been very useful for me.

Several dogs have received one or two of my own tramadol RX over the years. (Of course, I usually check with the vet, and I always do if whatever else the dog is on isn't 100% familiar to me.)

Kelly, sounds like you have seen traumatic reactions to the conehead collar, too. I keep the other two kinds around now; I don't want to see that stress again.



eta
I think too that when a dog vocalizes about pain, it's probably pretty bad. Dogs are hard-wired to be stoics and not show weakness/pain/injury. JMO!


Edited by Connie Sutherland (07/04/2011 11:40 AM)
Edit reason: eta

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I think the first 12 hours post surgery were by far the worst. He was just totally loopy, in pain, confused. It was a rough day all around- from the pre surgical pain of the torsion, to the post surgical pain and lingering anesthetic effects.

I've got 75 mg rimadyl, and the Tramodal came in 50 mg tablets. Having gone through abdominal surgery myself I in no way skimp on the pain meds. If a person chooses to be stoic, fine, I'm going to keep my dog as comfortable as possible.

He's a lot more comfortable today, taking it easy. Hungry, eating well. Tessa is respectful and isn't asking to play or bugging him at all.

He's hasn't vocalized with that scary screaming since the anesthesia wore off. Occasionally he'll whine or wince coming down the stairs.

He's getting a whole lot of love, and although the holiday weekend timing was really bad in some ways, at least he has our undivided attention today.

He's got a pretty long incision, about 4.5 inches. Does it help to rub vit. E oil on this? Should I wait until he's had more chance to heal?

 Quote: Kiersten Lippman

He's got a pretty long incision, about 4.5 inches. Does it help to rub vit. E oil on this? Should I wait until he's had more chance to heal?

I'd give it a week to heal before I started messing with it. If you feel better by putting something on it, I LOVE Vetericyn. Great stuff.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Kelly, sounds like you have seen traumatic reactions to the conehead collar, too. I keep the other two kinds around now; I don't want to see that stress again.

Oh yeah, exactly what was mentioned earlier. Tail hanging, dog totally shut down and unwilling to move. Take the cone off, and BAM, back to normal! I'm scared to put one on Koenig... he'd destroy my house, and plaster my kids to the floor.

How is Tikko, Kiersten?

Doing much better today and yesterday! I've noticed he's sleeping on his back again (feet up in the air) like he so enjoys.

This is so normal for his when relaxing, I actually noticed he'd stopped doing that a few days before the severe abdominal pain became obvious on Saturday. I wonder how long he was in low-moderate pain that he was able to mask from me. I'd read up on the cancer risks of the retained testicle, but for some reason missed or discounted the risk of testicular torsion.

He's doing very well. I now wish I'd gotten pet-health insurance for both dogs prior to these recent issues.

Oh, I betcha you are right (about the no-sleeping-on-belly thing).

That a challenge with dogs, isn't it .... how they are wired to endure and not show pain/weakness. Hard for us to evaluate.


I'm glad he's better.

Glad to hear Tikko is doing much better Kiersten! I love it when dogs sleep on their backs with their legs in the air! Glad he's feeling better.

I also think Vetericyn is great stuff. It has healed many skin issues with my female.
Just as long as their are no incision inflammation that might be deeper underneath any stitches, which would require antibiotics. Vetericyn works well to heal non-inflamed incisions quite nicely.