Lupe is still not eating even on the appetite stimulant. So I called Dr. Z’s office and one of the nurses called me back. She said it would be worthwhile getting her checked out to make sure there wasn’t any infection or underlying issues, but thinks that it may be an issue of pain management. Lupe has been on .20 cc of Bupranex twice a day and the nurse said that is the low end of the spectrum.
Brought her in to see Dr. B for an eval. Temp was good and she’s a little dehydrated. Her heartrate was high so Dr. B is agreeing that the lack of appetite is due to pain. She doesn’t think that there is anything underlying that could be an issue. So her Bupranex has been increased to .30 cc three times a day and she’s back on Pepcid for any stomach issues/reflux. Dr. B feels that if we can get her pain under control, she will start eating and to coax her with anything and everything. She was given sub-cuteanous fluids and a shot of Metacam to help with some of the inflamation around the incision. She hasn’t pooped since before the surgery which is to be expected, but Dr. B did a quick check and said she is forming a stool that I should see in a couple of days. I will be dancing the poopy dance like never before when that happens!!!
She was the hit of the office. Every vet tech had to come in and say hi to her. They were so happy to see her and all agreed (including Dr. B) that she is better than she was at this point last week. I almost had a heart attack when they first weighed her they told me she weighed 13 pounds and she was 16.5 pre-surgery…then I realized they took off a leg, duh! Dr. B weighed her on the baby scale for a more accurate reading which was 15.75 which is pretty good.
Fingers crossed that we get her pain under control and that her appetite comes back…pulling for her, she needs to pull back. I ask nightly for the patience to help her and I need to dig deep and give her time to heel. I guess this may be the crash and low I’ve heard about that hits about 4 or 5 days post-op. Baby steps end up equaling strides and leaps…hard to see it when you are the midst of it though.