Yorkie - Hernia Surgery :-(

[Minnie-Mia]

Hi,

My poor baby Minnie is undergoing surgery tomorrow to remove a large golf-ball sized hernia from her abdomen! She is 4 years, 4 months. Good general health - a bit overweight at 4.7kg (but doesn't look it). The hernia formed where her spay-incision was after she was spayed at 6 months old. She has had no previous health issues other than issues with her back legs a couple of years ago (suspected luxating patella which fixed itself in the end). She has been under anaesthetic twice - last time was Feb 2012.

Has anybody any experience with the hernia surgery? I am a nervous wreck and dreading tomorrow - I have cried so much over the past few days. I am terrified something will happen her during surgery. Am I doing the right thing removing it? The vet said as it is so large, there is a small risk of strangulation.

Any advice welcome.

[Balbrt1]

I am sure you are a basket case. I know I would and I worked kennels at a local clinic. I am sure you are doing the right thing for your baby. If it is not taken out it would cause more problems. I am also sure your vet has talked to you about. We will all be here for you. Plz let us know how things go. ((((Hugs))))

[Minnie-Mia]

Thank you Balbrt1, I will let you know how she gets on tomorrow. The surgery should be over with in 12-14 hours from now. At first, the vet told me it was a fatty cyst and would never bother her. Then, a different vet in the same veterinary clinic said she would recommend removing it. I hope it hasn't been left too long and has become trapped! I just can't wait to have tomorrow over with! I will post a picture of her hernia in my profile now!

[Buster Brown]

Sending prayers and best wishes for Minnie tomorrow. Buster had an inguinal hernia and was operated on when he was just 2 months old so I am sure Minnie will do well but it is always scary for us owners.

[Minnie-Mia]

Thanks Carolyn. Minnie is gone into the vets now. Going to be a long few hours. Was devastated having to leave her - she was vibrating she was so scared! Really hoping it all goes smoothly! Can't wait to have her back home!

[Verbena]

Sending good thoughts. . . .it is very hard to leave them. She will do well

[Minnie-Mia]

Thanks Verbana, should hear back in the next couple of hours. On edge waiting by the phone. Cannot wait to have her back with me!

[Minnie-Mia]

Thanks all - I just rang the vets - couldn't take the suspense any longer! Minnie is out of her operation 15 minutes and it all went very well, vet said it was a standard hernia procedure. They are just waiting for her to come round now and I can collect her in 4 hours. Can't wait to get her! Now for the two weeks of rest, stitches and cone-head!

[matese]

So glad Minnie's surgery went well and soon will be home.

[Buster Brown]

I hope Minnie is at home all snuggled up and comfortable.

[Minnie-Mia]

Minnie was doing good since she has been home! However, during the night, she got our of her cone three times and got at her stitches - I ended up wrapping a pair of tights over the wound last night which she also got off! Today, she just wouldn't stop thrashing around with the cone so I took it off and she seems to have gotten at the stitches again while I was making dinner. She also got a fright when a door closed and went running and jumped up onto the sofa. Now her incision site looks quite sore and red. I have the cone on her so she can't get at it. There is also a purplish swelling - which looks like a hernia just under the incision site! Of course, this has all occurred out of veterinary hours so I'm going to have to wait until morning (11 hours) to bring her to the vet! Fed up with the constant worrying! Other than this, she has been in good form and eating normally! She was back to herself this morning after being groggy all yesterday from the anaesthetic! I'm going to post a picture of her incision before and after swelling in my album if anyone could give their opinion on it? It's hard to see the swelling in the picture though!

[Buster Brown]

So sorry to hear that Minnie's incision looks troubling. I know I had a hard time with Buster trying to get at his stitches after his knee surgery. I looked at her incision pictures but I really don't have the knowledge to give a valid opinion. I hope you both are able to get a good nights sleep and that her vet says everything is healing as it should.

[Minnie-Mia]

Thanks Carolyn, surgery and the aftermath is such a worry! I'm an elementary teacher so I'm lucky - I have the Summer off. Minnie is asleep now, I've widened her cone so she is more comfortable. I held a cool cloth to the swelling but didn't touch the incision. That has calmed it down a bit. It isn't oozing or smelling so hopefully it will improve in a few hours. I'll ring the vet first thing in the morning. Such a relief to be able to vent on here!

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Minnie-Mia

Thanks Carolyn, surgery and the aftermath is such a worry! I'm an elementary teacher so I'm lucky - I have the Summer off. Minnie is asleep now, I've widened her cone so she is more comfortable. I held a cool cloth to the swelling but didn't touch the incision. That has calmed it down a bit. It isn't oozing or smelling so hopefully it will improve in a few hours. I'll ring the vet first thing in the morning. Such a relief to be able to vent on here!

I know I found YT when Buster was fighting a bad case of kennel cough which verged on Pneumonia and I had to leave him at the hospital for a few days on an IV drip I was devastated. I found YT and typed as I cried. Everyone was so supportive and got me through until I could bring him home. I hope all goes well.

[joyce evans]

How is Minnie today?