minor complication after neutering

[ward_hill]

Well, for a variety of reasons, after three years we decided not to do conformation shows with Buckley and decided that neutering was appropriate at this time (3-1/4 y/o).

The surgery was this past Tuesday and I'd scheduled it to be performed by the senior member of the vet practice (graduated vet school '76). Everything was fine afterwards, and Buckley resumed eating and eliminating normally by the next day. The incision, which was sutured internally, seemed fine -- no blood or other discharge. I checked it throughout the day, each day. He was wearing the cone when active, although I was taking it off when he went into full nap mode during the day when I could monitor him. Of course, I put the cone on before going to bed, but he manages to remove it during the night. In any case, he has not had a lot of opportunity to lick the area.

This morning, he rolled over for a belly rub/incision check and I was horrified to discover that it had opened. I immediately brought him back to the vet. He is still there and was going to have be sedated again to reclose.

I'm wondering how common an occurrence this is and to what I should attribute it. He got only a short walk on Wed and Thur, but a longish walk yesterday, maybe two miles. I was under the impression that he could resume normal activity within a day or so. The discharge instructions (given by one of the other vets) didn't indicate limited activity.

Anyway, I'm a little bummed that Buckley is spending another day there and slightly worried about his being sedated twice in one week. Waiting to hear from them ...

Prayers and/or positive energy directed our way would both be appreciated today!

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Prayers sent, I'm sorry you went through this. Zeke had laser surgery and we had no issues, I tried limited activity but he was back to himself the next day, so I have no experience, I'm sure others will chime in, But know you are in my thoughts and hope everything turns out ok.

 

[jane]

Sorry to hear about Buckley. Sending lot's of good thoughts for him!!!

 

[rayt]

Sending you and Buckley good thoughts.

 

[urneighbour]

My guy just turned 3 years old and just recently went through a neuter that involved one undecended testicle and one normal descended testicle. He was not kept overnight. It involved two incisions and he was sent home with metacam but was up-graded to a stronger prescription the next morning because it looked like he was experiencing alot of discomfort urinating and was having difficulties relaxing. The post surgery instructions stated that exercise needed to be restricted to very short leashed walks for 10 days.

I hope your boy is doing better. I can imagine your shock when you saw the incision opened up...I would have been horrified!!

 

[Pipelineozzy]

He'll be fine. Sometimes they have a minor reaction to particular suture materials also, and this can be caused by that The anesthetic to re-close once something has dehisced is much quicker, so he won't be out long. I would consider antibiotics though if they offer them.

 

[R Taft]

Sometimes things just happen.....I probably would also suspect that he may have managed to get to it and licked it, if he did not have a collar on.
:hugs: Get well soon Buckley

 

[ward_hill]

Thanks, everyone, for the concern and advice. Talked to the vet within the hour and it appears as though he did lick through the liquid skin/glue on top, and one set of sutures. He's fine now, the incision closed, and I'll be picking him up in an hour or so.

He'll be getting antibiotics too. Never a dull moment! ...

 

[blaue_augen]

Oh I'm glad it sounds like he is back on the road to recovery. When I was a child, our dog was hit by a car. He had stitches up the inside of one rear leg and across his belly. Somehow the stitches came open and I remember this large gaping hole in his belly. The vet then stitched him up with metal stitches (which were long and pinchy and made it impossible for him to lie down). He would stand up and fall asleep ... it was very sad for a little while. But he recovered fully. I am also glad that it sounds like vets have more options than metal stitches these days!!! I hope Buckley heals quickly and will be back to his normal self soon!!

 

[ward_hill]

Buckley is back home and resting comfortably on the porch. He's got new sutures and his cone has been beefed up with some tape to prevent him from shedding it during the night. He was very, very happy to be home!

I'm going to spoil him for the next week or so, since he's had two long days at the vet in one week, and will probably be much more sore than he was on Tuesday.

They gave me Derramax (sp.?) and and antibiotic as well.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

If he's a cone escape artist...you could also put a pair of boxers on him backwards with his tail out the fly

 

[Erika]

hugs from here

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

So sorry to hear that there's been a problem. Hopefully, he'll be back home and healed up in no time.

 

[Tula]

Boxers and thread the cone through his collar - and make it a snug fit.....obviously not too tight. Kim

 

[KodysGrandma]

Glad to hear all will be well with Buckley. Blue Augen- those "stitches" were most likely staples. Our old vet used to get the used partially filled staplers from an MD friend of his. In the people world they can't use any left overs on the next patient (staplers come pre-filled) so they were passed on to the vet.