Our dog is in surgery

 Hi all -

Dylan, our beautiful husky mix, tore himself open somehow in the backyard today.  Our son noticed it as he was getting ready to take the dogs to the cabin.  Apparently, it looked like his guts were hanging out!  He didn't seem to even feel it, but we rushed him to hte emergency vet and he's in surgery now.  Of course, 3 other serious cases came in at the same time, so he had to wait a few hours.  Probably happened because the dog door was open, and the 2 of them were in and out constantly, chasing squirrels and getting crazy.  There's a pile of wood with an old metal table out there, with a few drops of blood by it.

We love him so much!  He's so sweet.  9 years old, but as light on his feet as Prince Bambi.  The vet said his bloodwork looked good, but we'll have to watch him for infection for a few weeks.  Hopefully, our INSANE cattle dog will lay off him while he's healing.  I'm home alone with them during the day, and I can in no way control either of them, so - - trained dogs would be good now,    but of course I couldn't get anyone else to go for that idea.  SO!  It is what it is.

Debbie    

Debbie, so sorry about Dylan...hoping his surgery is a great sucess and that he
has a quick recovery. It is so difficult when there is something wrong with our
precious furbabies. Sending gentle hugs and prayers.

Hugs, Robin

Debbie, I'm so sorry poor Dylan is going thru this and so sorry you are, too. Hopefully, he will be just fine after the surgery and being w/ his fur sibling.

I've had 3 dogs at a time, several times - (what was I thinking!?!) but the 1 male who thought he was boss, got quite a surprise as he tried the power play. After that they all got along and didn't drive me completely crazy.

I know how hard it is when your fur baby is hurt or sick, it is so upsetting. I hope you are taking care of yourself, and BOTH of you will be fine. I'm sending my prayers for both of you.

God bless.  Alice.

Hi Debbie, I am so sorry about your Dylan!!!  When I run into those situations I would give the "other" dog a dose of acepromazine aka ACE  (a doggie sedative) that you can only get from a vet.  I use it on the ones that fight the nail clipping or just need to settle.  I would also crate the cattle dog or shut him outside for periods during the day. 

Dylan needs to rest and an obnoxious cattle dog is not what the doctor ordered.  There is also a natural sedative called melatonin that you can give the cattle dog, I have used it for a few that were afraid of fireworks, it settled them down.  Even valium will help.

For now it is all about Dylan and keeping hin quiet and unstressed.  The cattle dog will survive for a week or so of segregation. Even if Dylan has a favorite room in the house close him in there.  At 9 years of age you do not want to put him under again to fix pulled sutures. 

Good luck and keep us updated

I am so sorry to hear this happened to Dylan, Achey.  Will be praying for a speedy recovery for him. 

So sorry about your dog - thank goodness your son noticed it! My dog has had the dreaded cone too and she hated it! It is better to deal with the cone though than another surgery or an infection. Glad he is on the mend.

Well, things are much calmer for the moment (ahhh!) Good suggestion, GSDgirl, about the ACE...got some from the ER vet and he is now lying down, resting, instead of standing around, whimpering. We also got a soft collar, which doesn't seem to freak him out, but slows him down outside. They changed the bandage so we got a look at the stitches. He hasn't tried to lick them yet, so hopefully the soft collar will suffice if he does.

Surprisingly, Jack (the cattle-dog mix) is really subdued, too. I guess he understands Dyl just can't play right now. But I will drug him, too, if necessary!

Sounds like your poor pooch has been through the mill, Sherrine! Yikes. My #1 tomcat had 3 bacterial infections - (not sure about MRSA) at once, which meant a bunch of teeth and mouth bone had to come out over several operations. He is a trooper, though! I think I'd walk through fire for that "little man." This is the one who tries to break up our dogs' fights :) - seriously. I've tried reasoning with him - it doesn't work.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers and good advice!

Debbie

Hope all is going OK with Dylan!!