Spaying complications

[Karen Thompson]

My Misty, who will be 6 months old tomorrow, was spayed on March 9th and she hasn't been herself since. She went in at 40 lbs. and she's already down to 35 lbs. She's lethargic and throwing up (not as much now, as before) She also isn't eating her dog food at all. She'll eat other stuff we give her, but sometimes she even refuses steak. She hasn't had a bowel movement since Monday (4 days ago). The vet has been monitoring her and he's giving her shots of antibiotic every 2 days. I'm starting to wonder if she has some sort of allergic reaction to the antibiotic. I'm so worried about her. Has anyone dealt with this, in the past, with their baby girl? I just want to see her get excited about something.

[Pauline Rackley]

Hi Karen,

I am a veterinary technician at a small animal hospital and something is very wrong. All the symptoms you describe are signs that she is not healing normally. Dark, tarry stools indicate blood in the intestine. Her lack of appetite and lethargy are NOT normal this far out from surgery. If your vet isn't able to diagnose the problem tomorrow, you should take her somewhere else. Time is of the essence, this is an emergency! Feel free to contact me if I can be of help.
Pauline

[Karen Thompson]

The only possitive thing is that she has become more energetic today. She has been playing and barking at my daughters and trying to get at our bunny. Although she is being very picky, she is hungry and eating some foods (not her dogfood), but she isn't holding much of it down. It's concerning me that she hasn't had a bowel movement since Monday, as she has been able to hold some food down. What could cause something like this to happen? I'm so afraid to go out anywhere or even go to sleep for fear that something will happen. I've been trusting that the vet knows how to handle this situation, but I'm starting to wonder.

[Sandy]

Is there a 24 hour animal hospital near you? If so, for your peace of mind and for Misty's sake, would you consider going there?

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

Just wanted to wish you good luck with your vet appointment. Hope everything is okay and just stand strong.....I'm sure the vet means well, but we all know our doodles and especially know when they're just not themselves.
Good luck and be pushy until you get a diagnosis!!....you're the only voice Misty has :)
Doodle hugs to both of you and please keep us posted.....

[Sandy]

Toby was neutered about a month ago, but also had an abdominal incision because one testicle was missing. Still, he pooped that same night, and was eating by the next morning. If you cannot interest your vet in finding out what is wrong with Misty, I would find another vet tomorrow and go there. In fact, before you leave for your vet, maybe you should call and ask what they plan to do to investigate this issue, and if you don't like their answer, cancel your appointment and go somewhere else, possibly even an animal hospital. I hope Misty is much, much better very soon.

[Karen & Lucy]

How is Misty today? Waiting to hear how the vet visit went. Keeping our fingers and paws crossed

[Karen Thompson]

She was dry heaving through the night and very lethargic this morning, but she is now at the vet's office getting bloodwork done and x-rays. I dropped her off at 9 and haven't heard anything yet, so I'm hoping, no news is good news. I'll be calling them at 3.
Thank you for your concern. It helps

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Hey Karen, any news already? I couldn't stop thinking about poor little Misty. I am sure I am not the only here who is worried.

[Karen Thompson]

Well, it's not good. They did the bloodwork on Misty and it showed a quite an elevated number for her kidney function. We didn't want to leave her at the vet, so we brought her (with the iv in her) to the animal hospital. They have a very excellent reputation. They did an ultrasound on her right away, which showed a few different abnormalities. They're going to keep her on fluids and test her blood again tomorrow, as well as other testing. The specialist said that, she may have been born with something and the surgery brought it out. I felt so bad for her. Dogs are so innocent. She has no idea why we're leaving her this way. Please pray for Misty.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am so sorry for Misty, you and your entire family!! Which hospital did you take her too? I had my Beardie in Tinton Falls for ER care several times - years ago. They ALWAYS pulled her through - you MUST keep positive thoughts!!!!
Please keep us posted on how she is doing. We are all praying for a speedy recovery!

[Karen Thompson]

Misty is at Garden State Veterinary Specialists. One of the conditions the specialist said that she may have is Addison's disease. I just did a little research on the internet and a lot of her symptoms are the same, right down to her bursts of playfulness. Trauma brings the disease in crisis mode and one of the causes listed for causing crisis, is elective surgery, such as spaying. It gives me hope, because it's treatable. So this keeps my thoughts positive, for now.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

VERY TREATABLE!! this i know first hand. Our Bearded Colloe, Maggie, was diagnosed at 1 year with Addisons. We kept her healthy and happy until she was 13! The medicine - 20 years ago - was easy but not inexpensive. I have no idea if the meds are the same.
IF and I repeat IF it is Addisons, we will meet and I can give you 13 years of tricks to keep her healthy.
Good luck - let me know the test results
Adrianne