Doberman with AIHA

[Patrice]

Karyn,
If his heart rate has been fluctuating there may be some extra risk during the use of anasthesia. Hopefully your clinic uses an anaestheologist during complex surgeries.

At a PCV of 15 there may still be ongoing hemolytic (destruction of RBC) and this may increase the risk of DIC dissimenated intravascular coagulation. This is a cascade of events that leads to abnormal intravascular clotting. There are signs this is occurring and there are certain emergency protocols that can be used to attempt to damp this process. Regardless it is considered an emergency during surgery.

Don’t be concerned if he refuses to eat. The drugs used for anasthesia have a side effect of decreasing appetite. It could be 1 even 2 days before he feels like eating. Think of it this way, if this were a human they would be in ICU and they would have a restricted food intake.

I think it is marvelous that you have arranged to take time off from work to care for him! From experience I believe you can expect the incision to begin healing in about 3 to 5 days. But it will be 10 days before it is healed well enough for increased activity.

Please keep in touch if you can to let us know how it is going.
My best Patrice

[jill]

Hi Karyn,i just wanted to say I will be thinking of you and Louis tomorrow , I will be saying a prayer for your lovely boy,I do hope it sincerely goes well , much love and hugs from Jill and Snoopy xxxxx

[Karxlee]

Hi Everyone

So Louis’s PCV dropped to 11% this morning from 15% yesterday. They gave him a blood transfusion which was planned and used the cross matched blood we had ordered.
His PCV went up to 19% after the transfusion so he was given the all clear to go into the operation.
His surgeon called us before he started the operation to introduce himself (as we hadn’t had the chance to meet him), and he reassured us that his is a routine operation for him, and he has done loads. He also said they use a state of the art tool that seals the blood vessels as he cuts them, this reduces the impact of blood loss, especially because he is on blood thinning drugs as well.
So Louis went down around 2pm today, and just after 3pm I got the call to say he had sailed through the operation, and the surgeon was really happy with him, he was sat up and alert and seemed very happy, the anesthetist said he was very happy with Louis’s figures throughout the operation and was impressed with how well he came round after the procedure.
They did another PCV test and he was at 25%, which is great.
We now just have to wait to see what happens tomorrow, he is staying in intensive care over night, and being monitored hourly.
We are hoping his PCV goes up again tomorrow, and that he remains clear from infections, and of course we want him home as soon as possible.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch outside of this forum, as well as on it. I know it is really really early days, and we have a long long way to go, but the fact that he came through the operation is massive to me and I am clinging onto that for today.

Love Karyn

[jill]

HI karyn ,i have been thinking of you and louis all day ! im so glad Louis has made it through the operation thats excellent news !and his pcv sounds good to , that doggie is a credit to you ! I do hope he continues to improve he so deserves to pull through, hes a strong lad, and you are fantastic fur perants! Love and huge hugs jill & Snoopy xxx

[Sheena]

Hi Karyn

Louis is very dear to us all, as are you & I am so relieved to hear the brilliant news. Your determination & positivity is transferred to him through love & this has always given him his strength & will to get better.

The team sound magnificent – you could not be in better hands. I think hourly checks will be accompanied by even more frequent cuddles & gentle care from those lovely nurses.

Any update would be great when you have time as we are all thinking about you constantly.

Much love & more love from us all
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

[Karxlee]

Hi Everyone,

Soooooo we have just collected Louis from Rutland, his PCV has remained stable at 25% and everyone was really happy with him, and said he could come home.
He is active and hungry which is amazing to see, he’s knackered but is fighting sleep hehehe.
We are so happy to have him home, the next appointment is next wed, so hopefully his PCV levels will have gone up.
My Mum is coming to look after him tomorrow, so we can both get to work at some stage which is really helpful. We need to keep working to pay for his operation.

I’ll let you know how he getting on by updating the forum and his blog xxx

Thankyou to everyone for your support , and Sheena as always for keeping me sane xxxx

[Sheena]

Hi Karyn

I know you’ve had some e-mails but just wanted to say a few words on here so everyone can see – you know all of us have been sending psychic vibes from around the world to Louis.

It is so wonderful that your beautiful, brave boy has done really well – having him back home is fantastic! Phil & I have done happy dancing with the dogs (who think we are a bit nuts for some reason!) & the boys send happy barks to their dear pal Louis.

There will be millions of good vibes coming your way for the test on Wednesday next week & lots of get well soon vibes in the meantime.

Worzel & Ollie say cuddles, biscuity treats (naughty!) & Mum & Dad kisses always make them feel much better – hint, hint

So much love coming your way
Sheena & the cheeky boys xxxx

[jill]

Hi Karyn,so pleased to hear your lovely boy Louis is home ! Thats excellent news, hope he continues to improve im sure its less sressful for them to recover at home with there fantastic perants xxxx, and thanks to your mum for helping out , huge hugs love from Jill & Snoopy xxxx