Angus is having surgery

[caila]

He had another episode of throwing up and not being able eat and go potty.

The first time they checked him they found his large intestine was filled with gas and it passed with anit gas medicine and other stuff.

He had it happen again and as soon as he started having the symptoms we gave him the simethicone and he was fine.

This time - no such luck. His large intestine has moved up into his rib cage area and is really out of whack.
He was passing gas and even able to go potty a little but it didn't get better so his mommy took him in today and they did xrays and found the problem.
They said it is not bloat as that is a stomach related thing but this is the large intestine.

I had them do the surgery but there doesn't seem to be a real understanding why and they couldn't provide a great answer without going in to see what the underlying cause is.
I can appreciate that but I just don't want my little boy to have this problem be an ongoing thing. It's not like they can stick the intestine like they do that stomach so hopefully they'll be able to do more than just put it back in place.

There's nothing worse than having him go through this if it's only going to come back again.
Now I'm just hoping they don't find any damage or dead areas since it's so far out of place.


Jeremy

[Carolyn]

Im really sorry to read this.

How old is Angus?

[caila]

Im really sorry to read this.

How old is Angus?

Thank you Carolyn.

Angus will be 4 this April.

Like I said - the biggest thing that concerns me is that it could happen again, though they did say once they get in there and find what is causing this there is very likely some meds they can give him to help with this from on going basis. And slippery elm that was mentioned once before and so on.

I don't know if it's possible but I tend to think the intestine may have been shifted during a time Angus was throwing up. His tummy was a little bit bloated as this happen when he has this problem and then yeaterday it seemed to be drastically reduced.
I even mentioned it to my wife that I thought his tummy didn't look bloated anymore after he came in from being outside, that may have been when the whole thing shifted if he was forcing himself to throw up.

Of course this is just a thought and i really don't know. But if that is the case we caught it pretty quick because it was almost bedtime yesterday when I saw it and we took him first thing this morning.

He went in about 2 hours ago I think - maybe only 1 - it's been a rough day.

I'll post as soon as I hear what they find (good or bad) and how he is doing.


Thank you again,
Jeremy

[jeanetteva]

I completely understand your concerns, I will be thinking about Angus and pray that he will come out of this without any more issues.
You will be in my thoughts until I read your next update!!!
Jeanette

[caila]

He is out of surgery.
Per the report from my wife:
His colon was totally on the wrong side (totally flipped) of where it was supposed to be.
And he had some red streaking on his intestine but everything looks OK and he is doing well.

They are not sure if this was a result of something external or possibly something that has to with a possible birth defect type of thing that causes this.
They got all the gas out of him and the yellow diarreah/bile stuff.
It sounds like the vet was very positive from the report form my wife but they don't seem to have a solid understanding of why or what caused this - At this point anyway - when I talk to them I'll be pressing for more info when we see the doc tomorrow or Sunday.
They did say they will be monitoring him for th enext few weeks and even have the internal medicine specialist look at him as well.

We need to check on him tonight about 9-10 and they will reassess him in the morning.

I'm thinking about possibly adding digestive enzymes to his diet - well I should say, I'm wondering if that would be OK.
I know it help prevent gas and bloating for myself and a good number of my bodybuilding friends who take in large amount of food. Not that Angus overeats - he would if he could - but just as an aid to help in digestion.

So all in all he is out of surgery and things sound positive.
The follow up and long term health is going to be the most important thing for my little boy now.


Thank you all for the well wishes, positive thoughts and prayers.


Jeremy

[Gibson'sMom]

I'm glad surgery went well. Hopefully this will cure the problem along with the medications. I feel for you guys, I know how scary it can be. Good luck with everything!

[Pauline301]

Glad his surgery went well and I do hope you find out what is causing this. Sending healing prayers and good thoughts for Angus.

[daneslave]

prayer for angus to have a speedy recovery

[empm]

Gosh, I just saw this! I'm glad he is out of surgery and doing okay. That stuff is soooo scary. Scary when the symptoms show up and scary when they need surgery. Healing thoughts for Angus. Please keep us posted.

[jeanetteva]

Sounds like pretty good news.......I hope he will come home and feel much better.
Did the vet tack his stomach during the surgery?
Many well wishes to you and Angus!
Jeanette

[caila]

Sounds like pretty good news.......I hope he will come home and feel much better.
Did the vet tack his stomach during the surgery?
Many well wishes to you and Angus!
Jeanette

I don't believe so.
Nor did even ask - wasn't really in the state of mind to think about it.
He's never had an issue with the stomach - it's always been the intestinal side - las ttiem and this time both. No problems with the stomach.

My thought was if they don't feel like they would be able to help with a longer term solution that I'd have to put him down.
I just can't see him going through this again - so I need to work with them on finding preventative solutions to the intestinal gas and bloat.
The whole colon flip thing is a bit out there and have no idea what could have caused that.

I'm hoping to have some better insight after talking with them tomorrow.


I can't say thank you enough to everyone for wishing Angus well.

Thank you all and Angus say thank you too!


Jeremy

[joyable]

Unfortunately I know all about this. It's colon torsion and according to most vets, only happens to horses. You were very fortunate that the surgeon was familiar with it and did the surgery -- most dogs don't make it to the ER, and the survival rate for those that have surgery is low.

My Jupiter got lucky and I'm praying your Angus is lucky too. You can read about it here: http://www.lissa.net/Joya/jupiter_torsion.htm

Sending Angus positive thoughts for a complete recovery!

[caila]

Unfortunately I know all about this. It's colon torsion and according to most vets, only happens to horses. You were very fortunate that the surgeon was familiar with it and did the surgery -- most dogs don't make it to the ER, and the survival rate for those that have surgery is low.

My Jupiter got lucky and I'm praying your Angus is lucky too. You can read about it here: http://www.lissa.net/Joya/jupiter_torsion.htm

Sending Angus positive thoughts for a complete recovery!

Thank you so much for posting this link.
It's bringing tears to my eyes just reading about it.

Half of what has been the worst parts was not knowing how or why something like this could have happened. I guess it's good the vet hospital knew what to do - they were recommended to us last time by our vet who takes care of horses and dogs, etc. so having the country doctor is still a good thing.

It sounds like Angus will still have a couple of days before he's out of the woods.
We'll keep praying.

I'm very glad to hear your Jupiter had good recovery.

Thank you again for this information - it brings a bit of peace to my worried mind.


Jeremy

[JuJeeMD]

I am so sorry to hear this. Angus is a very handsome boy. I will keep Angus, you, and your family in my thoughts. Sending positive healing vibes.

[zipsmom]

We are keeping you and Angus in our thoughts.