Update on Sussie's health

4630 Views 15 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Barbara Winters, Jan 21, 2008

Beto

Discussion Starter · Jan 14, 2008

It's about time to update you on what's going on with our little baby (and to ask some questions).

Quick recap: As some of you know, the last few weeks have been highly distressing for us - on December the 24th, Sussie had to be emergency operated of what the vet classified as pyometra. The operation itself was successful and that's no longer a risk to her, but it left her cardiovascular system in a very weak state and she's been very slowly recovering at home. Plus, a nasty side effect has been her accumulating fluid around the jowls and neck, resulting in her looking like this:

So, it's been about three weeks since she had surgery. With the exception of this fluid problem, she seems to be back to her old self - not completely, but at least recognizably so. We're giving her a pill of an special aspirin for cardiovascular issues daily (by vet's recommendation - there's regrettably no equal product for animals yet) to stabilize her heart and, and a diuretic pill daily to get that excess fluid off her body (again, vet's recommendation).

She's eating and drinking water as usual, although that extra weight makes difficult for her to move around so she spends most of the day lying around the house.

The vet insisted us to be very patient with the recovery process, but I get a bit desperate at times since I don't see that big blob of fluid coming off her body (the idea is to have her expel it through urine). I had a talk with other person who had a similar issue recently, and talked me about the chances of a phantom pregnancy happening, which make the dog's body release a big amount of hormones. I don't know if this is really related, but I felt it was worth to mention.

I'm aware I may not get her back to 100% of what she was... but I just want her to be happy and not having her suffering for anything. And I'm sure you agree.

I'm adding here a video I shot with my photo camera a couple of days ago for you to see her. Try paying no attention to my babble. :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xOFbba3gmE

Some more pictures I took this Saturday:

As always, thank you for all your support - things seem to be getting more stable by now, but we still need all the support we can get. Thanks!

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murraysmom

· #2 · Jan 14, 2008

Is there a vet teaching hospital, or a specialist (cardiologist/pulmonary?) that you can take her to? I don't know anything about veterniary care in Costa Rica, but here there are vet teaching hospitals that can sometimes solve problems that local vets are stumped by.

I hope someone from the forum with some knowledge of this condition can comment, I'm sorry I can't help more.

Please keep us posted on how she's doing- my heart goes out to you-

2hounds

· #3 · Jan 14, 2008

Omigoodness! I haven't the slightest clue what to do...I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you! Lily and Gibbs will sling drool your way!

~Heather

bcc11

· #4 · Jan 15, 2008

Your poor baby! I have no advice, only prayers that she will heal quickly.

Colleen

Yogi's Mom

· #5 · Jan 15, 2008

Oh, I feel so bad for you and your poor baby! I don't have anything to offer but I did want to say that I hope your baby girl recovers soon! Maybe you could take her to another vet for a second opinion? You and your baby girl will be in my thoughts.

Mikey T

· #6 · Jan 15, 2008

I had a talk with other person who had a similar issue recently, and talked me about the chances of a phantom pregnancy happening, which make the dog's body release a big amount of hormones. I don't know if this is really related, but I felt it was worth to mention.[/b]

The surgery should have removed all the "womenly parts" therefore the is not the structure in place to release a large amount of hormones. A false pregency with the increased progesterone level would make pyometra more likely. So it is unlikely the disease and the cure would trigger a false pregnancy but a false pregnancy could have be a contributing factor to the disease. It will just take time to work though the hormones but she should not be making more.

Houndsong

· #7 · Jan 15, 2008

Wow, I sure hope that's a transient thing. Keep us posted.

LuvMyBassett

· #8 · Jan 17, 2008

Just a note to let you know we are saying a prayer for you, I hope she gets better soon.

Beverly Anne

· #9 · Jan 17, 2008

I hope Sussie gets back into her usual good health soon! Franny and I send lots of love.

BubbaLeroy

· #10 · Jan 19, 2008

Just sending lots of healing drool to Sussie. I sure hope this resolves itself soon, she does look so miserable. Do keep us posted on how things go.

Beto

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 20, 2008

Thanks to all of you for your support.

Sadly, all of our efforts weren't enough to save our baby for things to keep getting worse, and we and our vet just had to take the heartbreaking decision of putting her to sleep this evening.

This is undoubtedly one of the saddest days of my life.

I will elaborate more about this in another post on the general discussion area.

biscuit

· #12 · Jan 20, 2008

I'm so, so sorry to hear this.

shallhb

· #13 · Jan 20, 2008

Thanks to all of you for your support.

Sadly, all of our efforts weren't enough to save our baby for things to keep getting worse, and we and our vet just had to take the heartbreaking decision of putting her to sleep this evening.

I am very sorry. I've been pulling for her.

murraysmom

· #14 · Jan 20, 2008

Oh, I'm so sorry. I've been checking for updates and hoping for the best.Condolences to you and your family.

2hounds

· #15 · Jan 20, 2008

Wow. I am so sorry to hear this.

~Heather

Barbara Winters

· #16 · Jan 21, 2008

I'm very sorry to read about the loss of your beautulf girl. I hope you know there are people here that are here to support you during this sad time.

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