In Memory of Pets

I saw the vet eye specialist today.....it's more serious than what I thought. He said if he didn't have any scheduled operations today, he would have operated on Jen today! Her eyes are inflamed (which I can't see) and due to her being diabetic she has fluid around her iris. He thinks one of those is leaking so he needs to do the op asap. She is booked in for Thursday 26th Nov (this week) at 11.30am.

He gave me two choices: if I didn't choose to operate (it's expensive, up to $5,000 due to her being diabetic...it's more complicated) she would need eye drops all the time plus she would eventually get glaucoma and that is painful and make her blind (she would need her eyes removed and make her totally blind). Having the operation, her chance of good eyesight in the eye that is 'leaking' is 50/50. The other eye has a better chance of sight provided all goes well. So really there was no choice, except to operate. He gave me 2 different bottles of eye drops to put in her eyes 3 times a day until Thursday then when she's had the operation, she be on eye drops for a while as well.

I'm taking her in Thursday at 11.30am and he said hopefully if all goes well she can go home Friday. I'm scared she is going to fret for me after she's had the operation, when she's waking up and I won't be there. She is my shadow. I'm going to ask if I can stay with her until she's drowsy before the operation otherwise she will wonder what is going on. She'll be scared in a totally different environment without me with her. Also her being diabetic I hope she eats her food otherwise they can't give her the insulin, and I hope they give her the proper amount (they are trained and it is a specialist hospital so they'd know wouldn't they?...I mean I will tell them how much she gets). I think I'm more worried about those things than the actual operation. He told me to take all her medications, food, insulin, syringes etc; all packaged so they know what to give her and when. That's why I'm hoping she can come home Friday, then she can be home with me in her own environment.

I'm having to take annual leave from work for the days I'm taking Jen there and her hospital check ups. I'm concerned about that too as we're short staffed. I have no choice as there is no one else who can take her there.

One thing I'm a bit miffed about is the vet I go to wasn't concerned at all that she had cataracts. They just said 'it's all part of being diabetic'. It's only for the fact that I was concerned about Jen losing her sight that I wanted her checked out. If I had left it, she would have ended up with glaucoma and then be totally blind.

I guess I was meant to do this, go see the specialist and have it all sorted out. My little angels are watching over us (thanks Polly, Waffle and Max, my little darlings).

Please send Jennie positive thoughts for Thursday for her operation to go well and for me to stay sane

I'll keep you posted.

Paw cheers,
Suz xx

Hey Suz,

Interesting story - being a Sydney sider too, I am wondering what vet opthamologist you are going to (The North Ryde one??)

Anyway - I know you will always do your very best, as you always care for your pets so very well!

My thoughts and prayers are with you both!

Hugs

Kerry

_________________
Friends of the heart never truly leave us. They are with us always in all ways.

Hey Kerry,

It's the Animal Referral Hospital, at Strathfield. Cameron Whittaker is the vet specialist. I've seen him before with my other babies Polly and Waffle.

Do you know of it? They also have another hospital at Crows Nest.

Suz

Dear Suz,

Everyone here at the forum is keeping Jennie in their thoughts and prayers for this upcoming eye surgery to go well and your baby completely recovers quickly. Our hearts share in your stress as we truly understand; please keep us posted on how she is doing. I am so thankful it is not PRA which is not treatable. You did the right thing by taking her to an eye surgeon specialist.

Sending prayers to you both,

Carole

Hi Suz,

I do know of them as I have had to make the odd emergency dash thre as they are the closest 24 hour vet hospital near me in the inner west.

They have a very good reputation, so I think your baby is in very good hands!

I will be thinking of you and Jen and my prayers are with you too of course!

Hugs,

Kerry

_________________
Friends of the heart never truly leave us. They are with us always in all ways.

Carole, what is PRA?

Suz

Kerry,

Yes I dealt with this hospital before back in 2001 (and previous) with Cameron Whittaker. He operated on my Waffle's eyes in 2001. I know they are an excellent hospital but I can't help feeling concerned for how my Jen is going to feel when I'm not there. I also hope her diabetes will be ok during her stay.

I've told her she's going into hospital to have her eyes operated on so she can see again and that I'm going to miss her heaps and Mr Millie (my fluffy cat, they're good mates) will too.

Some work colleagues suggested I go in there and ask if I can sit with her while she's waking up but I think I'd probably be in the way, plus she'd probably think she'd be coming home with me. That would upset me more having to leave her there as I went home with her knowing I've walked out without her. I think I'll just wait for when I can take her home before I go in and see her. Of course I'll be ringing to see how she is. Hopefully I'll be able to take her home Friday (that's what Cameron said would hopefully happen).

Here's hoping!!

Suz

wishing love and light to you and your baby Jen tomorrow

I love that you're talking with her about it; that's so good for both of you!

I've found it necessary a few times to take one of my pets for surgery to a vet not our own but recommended..

and have left with the necessary trepidation but a sense that they would see to my baby to the best of their ability

and while I know it's not the same as the love of their family, a great staff KNOWS how to make the sick or recovering pet feel at ease; their calm and confidence puts the worried pet

she'll be okay, Suz and how wonderful of you to see to it that she gets the very best chance

best from the other side of the planet! zoo

Hi Zookeeper,

Thanks for your kind words.

Today is the day and I'm feeling nervous all those same questions and worries going through my mind.

My other concern now is her diabetes. Once she's home, if she doesn't want to eat, what do I do about insulin? I can't give that to her unless she's eaten. Or if she only eats some of her food I have to adjust the amount of insulin I give her. Oh my goodness!!! I want her home as soon as she's able but it's probably best if they do keep her in until she eats at least then they'd know what to do (I hope).

I was reading the information they gave me and apparently it takes one and a half hours to do each eye. That means she'll be 'under' for 3 hours!! That's a long time

I should stay positive and keep my thoughts in check.....she will be in the best possible care, they are specialists and I'll have my baby home with me very soon, able to see again

Suz

ugh, I know how you feel...the waiting..

(listen, try this - I use it when my daughter is flying - and I daresay she's quite the traveler - she's in Berlin, she's in Italy, she's in LA - so this nervous mama meditates as below)

imagine Jen safe, imagine your love surrounding her, keeping her safe and sound, imagine that she is in competent, loving hands and then imagine your lovely, gentle reunion!
*play this in your head over and over till she's in your arms!

don't fret about the eating/insulin thing yet - there are always ways to entice a dog to eat; your vet and staff should be able to give you good information on that - it's not something you should have to sort out on your own..

you might be cooking for her though!

holding your little dear in the light (promise)
zoo

Thanks for the words of advice....I WILL try that Oh yes we will be so excited to see each other after this operation, and I actually do mean 'seeing' since she'll have the cataracts removed.

In regards to her food/eating, Jen needs to have the same food she always eats to keep your sugar glucose levels even. So I'm not able to stray from that in any way (eg cooking her a steak etc). If I come into any trouble though I would obviously ring my normal vet. They are there 24 hours (they have a paging system after hours). Failing that my ex hubby is diabetic. I could always ring him and ask.

After all my worries, they will probably ring tomorrow and say she's fine to come home tomorrow.

Paw cheers,
Suz

Hey Suz,

Now that it is Thursday here in Sydney - you have been on my mind and in my prayers!

Take care and know that your baby is in good hands!

Hugs,

Kerry

_________________
Friends of the heart never truly leave us. They are with us always in all ways.

we do what we have to do right? ex-husbands, vets - we have no ego when it comes to love in fur!

and I do hear you with the dietary restrictions Suz

but to healing (heart)

I remember after my girl had surgery (as a three year old)
after I picked her up I put her on the couch on a big old, comfy blanket - she was so uncomfortable at first

but once she settled, I just stayed near her

I read, I watched TV, I offered her a gentle pat (!) the sweet girl, that's all she really needed

I offered her food and water till she was ready to take it

(I think they still have pastes and such - that would stimulate appetite; both organic and way-processed too, no doubt! I'm pretty sure your vet could point to one that wouldn't interfere with her diabetes)

so blessings! she's probably home already? I get all turned around with time differences

please let us know when she is home again with you

Well the eye specialist just rang me and said the operation was finished and she was waking up and being monitored by nurses. He was please how it went but her bad eye was worse than he thought but hopefully she'll have some sight out of it. The other eye hopefully will have some sight too. He said he is so glad he operated now and didn't wait till longer (meaning if I hadn't taken her in when I did) as she may not have had such a good chance of any sight if it was left later. He said the following week will be crucial (I guess he means her eye drops) but he'll be able to tell more when I take her back for a checkup in a week.

He'll ring me tomorrow (not before midday) and let me know how things are going and if she can come home. Mum and I took the opportunity today and did our grocery shopping (we normally do it Saturday) so I'll be able to be with Jen taking care of her and of course she will be with my Mum while I'm at work during the days. We organize our time around our pets (our babies). If they are not well, they are the priority. Actually they are our priority all the time, good health or not so good

When I took Jen in this morning, the specialist's nurse was with him and I asked questions about her insulin etc; She said they monitor all that (blood tests morning and night) and keep an eye on her. That gave me some relief. The hospital is open 24/7 so there is someone there all the time watching out for my baby

I packaged all her food in 'breakfast' and 'dinner' bundles (with Mum's help) so it is easy for them to give her. The specialist was impressed!

He said he'll ring me tomorrow (not before midday) with a progress report and let me know if Jen can come home. I'll be at work but my supervisor said I can leave and go get her

So I'm relieved the operation is over and Jen's doing ok. It's the tender loving care that is to follow which is all important, and I've got HEAPS of that!!

I'll keep you updated.
Suz xx

It's 4am here in Sydney, Australia, I've had a restless night thinking about my darling Jennie in hospital. It suddenly occurred to me that the hospital is open 24 hours so I decided to ring and enquire about my baby. They said she was doing well and was happy sitting in there minding her own business. They have offered her food but she's not interested (I can understand that) so they are monitoring her blood glucose levels and adjusting any insulin. The nurse said she has become a favourite already as she is very quiet and happy to co-operate with any nursing and is a real sweetie. She is in full view of them so they can see any changes if there should be any.

The nurse was very nice and asked how old Jennie was. When I explained I wasn't sure as I got her from the animal shelter as a stray back in 2003 she was glad to hear I had saved her life.

The nurse said I could ring anytime and ask how Jennie is. I said I would do that.

I hope they will keep her there until she is eating as that would upset me not knowing what to do with her insulin and they are able to give her the blood test to check her glucose levels. Having said that though, maybe she's not eating as she's in an unfamiliar place as that would unsettle her and not want her to eat. Maybe if she was home she would 'relax' and then eat. But most likely at this early stage it is due to the operation and being sore. I do know that she is in the best hands though, care wise.

My cat Mr Millie is missing her I feel as he hasn't settled most of the night. I told him Jen was in hospital but she'll be home soon. Isn't that sweet, my cat missing my dog They are good buddies.

I am so glad I rang the hospital at this hour of the morning

Suz