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scruffy_fun
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scruffy_fun is offline  
Location: UK
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7
Female 
 
07-06-2019, 03:07 PM

Aftercare following splenectomy

On Monday night my little 9 year old jackapoo developed a really firm tummy and pain after eating her dinner. I was concerned about bloat so I took her to my vet out of hours and she had an x-ray showing that the stomach was full of food and wasn't digesting properly. She was given a couple of injections to get things moving and to relieve the pain and I was asked to bring her back in for further investigations the following day.

So the next day we returned and she had a further x-ray which showed that things still weren't looking good, so an investigatory operation was undertaken. It was found that she had a bleeding mass on her spleen, so her spleen was removed. Her liver looked good, as did all other organs, so I'm praying that this tumour wasn't anything nasty. It has been sent off for testing, so just waiting for results. I'm obviously hoping for the best but can't help but worry, she really is my world and I can't bear the thought of it being something serious. Not at this age.

We've had a couple of return visits to the nurse since then and three days later she's looking a fair bit perkier and her wound looks clean. She's on post-op wet food to aid digestion which I'm splitting 4 times across the day and I'm keeping a check on her gums to make sure that they're not too pale.

I am a bit concerned that now and again she will start shivering and her tail goes between her legs. Not sure if this is just the highly strung, intelligent terrier in her having a worry about something, a response to pain or both. She is on pain medication and I'm keeping her quiet on her bed unless she needs to go outside.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone through this and has any advice on how to keep her as comfortable as possible? Plus anything else I might need to look out for other than gums, toilet activity and wound checks? I have had the lowdown from the vet and have asked as many questions that I can think of, but it would help to hear from anyone who's been through something similar, if only just to feel a bit less alone and overwhelmed!
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griff
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Joined: Feb 2005
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07-06-2019, 09:44 PM
My 13 year old staffy had a splenectomy, the shivering could be pain related but it could equally be something like a stitch pulling and being a bit uncomfortable, it's a big op and I was just super careful about not letting her jump up and run.... having another adult dog and a 12 week puppy it was not a great experience lol
I hope the test results come back o.k and if you are concerned at all, let your vet know what you are worried about.
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Sue L
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Location: East Sussex
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,082
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08-06-2019, 10:50 AM
I had a dog who had a splenectomy but hers was due to a torsion. She was very "fragile" thought she would fall apart whilst the stitches were in but once remove back to her normal self. Lived until she was nearly 15yrs. Also had another dog with a tumour on his spleen. All happened very quickly but when operated on it had spread round his stomach and liver so I let him go without waking him up. He never showed any signs but like yours suddenly his stomach was extended and I too feared bloat.

As Griff said it could be pain causing the shivering just give her time and some tic. Hope the tests also come backs clear.
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