Just out of Surgery.. hope this is normal

catsareok

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hello all i know a few of you have been following my other threads, to fill you in, my kitty of 12 years just has mammary gland surgery, her whole gland was removed with all her breast, and had a fatty tissue removed from her lymph noad, this was very intense and a serious big wound the whole length of her body.. it has not even been 48 hours.. my concern is her moving around, she can only walk a few feet and then has to lay down and rest.. I thought she had the fentanyl patch that last 5 days, the vet did not even give me any pills for pain, so the day i got home yesterday.. I called back and went out to get her the Onsior 6mg tablets, one a day for 3 days.. after a surgery like this, I would assume this is normal, she just looks like she is really struggling to move.. has anyone used these pills or had a major surgery like this..of course I am worried to death,, any thing I should look out for,, she is eating wet food, drinking some water, and using her litter pan. just pee, I do realize this is going to take some time.. oh also forgot she has 2 drainage tubes in her lower body.. maybe they are bothering her a lot, I have to take her back in 5 days to remove.. thanks for any input.. she really drags her rear end.. when I first got her home.. she did take a big walk around the house. possibly that could have really put some strain on her, and very sore... like I said it is only a few feet at a time.. there also is no more drainage that I can see, the vet said most of it is out in 24 hours.. I just feel so bad... thanks... i am also wondering if I should have gotten the patch for her...
 

misty8723

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I'm so sorry your baby is going through this.  Have you asked the vet if it's normal?  I think I would call and check since the weekend is coming and I don't know if your vet has hours on the weekend.  I'm actually kind of surprised they sent her home so soon after major surgery.  Where was the surgery done, in the vet's office or in a vet hospital?  When Cindy had her surgery they kept her in the hospital for three days. She had a large tumor in her abdomen and had part of her colon removed with it.  We are lucky to have a very good vet hospital nearby.  She had the surgery on Friday, and on Saturday when we went to visit her, once we calmed her down, she curled up  on DH's lap for awhile, then slept between us for a couple hours.  She did have nausea too, because I was trying to feed her and was gagging, so she wasn't eating much. Which is why they wanted to keep her the extra day.  I know she wasn't moving around much while she was in the hospital, but we didn't see her except for the couple hours they let us sit in a room with her.  She didn't have drain tubes though and I would imagine that can't be pleasant.

Cindy had the pain patch while she was in the hospital, but it fell off the day they were releasing her so they didn't put another one on.  They gave us pain medicine to bring home, liquid, in little tubes that you squirt in their cheek.  My vet claims it's safe and effective for cats.

http://www.sunnysidevetclinic.com/articles/buprenorphine.htm

Hopefully someone who is a little more knowledgeable than I am will come along to give you some good advice.  I know how frantic you must be about all this, and I really, really hope she gets to feeling better soon.  
 

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I'd say that since she is eating, drinking, and peeing so far, things are doing well, but I would definitely put in a call to the Vet and ask if it's normal that she seems to need to rest after walking only a few feet.  After such a big, invasive surgery, it would seem to me that she must be exhausted from all the trauma she is been through, not to mention just the anesthesia, but I don't personally have any experience like this with my furkids.

I, too, would be worried until she is her old self
.  It's only natural.

 

white shadow

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Hi catsareok! I'm just shaking my head in disbelief that she was discharged without pain control medication.

The Onsior can only be given for a maximum of 3 days. I know that, if she were here, I would be providing pain control for (at least) double that time. Here's the fact sheet on that http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=64788

The Fentanyl patch may have been a better choice - although, applying it might have been difficult in light of such a large incision.

Buprenorphine, as mentioned by Misty8723, would be my choice if I were in your shoes. The trick with it is that you need to stay ahead of the pain when administering it, which means dosing it with accurate timing, which I found to be about six hours. (BTW, the link provided by Misty suggested a 12 hour effective duration - from my own experience, that's way out of wack.) Here's some more info on that http://www.marvistavet.com/html/buprenorphine.html Note that it should NOT be swallowed - it's absorbed by the oral tissue.

Whatever you do, don't accept another NSAID, e.g. like Metacam.

Personally, I would be restricting her movements as well. I'd have her in a small room/area - for an enforced rest.

I'd encourage you to insist on further pain meds.

Keep us posted.
 
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catsareok

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k thanks  today she got up and walked out of the bedroom, really limping, and ate. then I have a blanky for her by me and my computor,

it is good thing she was licking her wound the bad one where the tubes are.. about the vet, I go to a cats only vet, I think they are very good, and do surgeries all the time.. I think you are right about the pain meds, they should have not sent her home with nothing..

I put her food and water by her, so she does not have to go far, today I want to get her to walk a little more, and move around, I feel so bad.. only the 2nd day.. I could have got the patch, but declined, I don't want her in pain.. also not totally out of it either.. I will try and get her moving a liltte today       hope I made the right choice about this.. we both feel terrible seeing her like this..

thank you
 

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I'm not sure I would worry too much about getting her to move around right now.  I think rest and sleep might actually be the best thing for her for awhile, as long as she's eating some, drinking, using the litter, not lethargic, not vomiting, not running a fever, etc.  Does your vet make house calls? 
 

white shadow

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...today I want to get her to walk a little more, and move around...
catsareok, I have to be very direct about this. I really urge you to re-think this one.

If it had been a spay that were done, perhaps. However....let me play back what you posted earlier:
...this was very intense and a serious big wound the whole length of her body..
There is a time for rehab....but, first, recovery.
...she just looks like she is really struggling to move...
Perhaps she was not ready, not healed enough, for this.
I'm not sure I would worry too much about getting her to move around right now.  I think rest and sleep might actually be the best thing for her for awhile
That would be my aftercare approach.

Please ask about and for the additional pain meds.

I'll say no more.
 
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catsareok

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I called the vet they are calling me back,, she did get up and take a short walk, used her litter pain, and now back resting, trying to get comfortable, I am asking about more pain stuff, long drive, but I will go get it.. I know rest is most important.. no drainage out of the tubes, do not get those out till tuesday, wish they were out now.. moving  lil better  still ouch of course.. most advice is helping

thank you
 
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catsareok

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called the vet today,, was busy said they would return the call, well no.... sorry pissed off.. I have one more pill left for her.. at least she walked a little today, not much.. but ok, let her rest.. hurtin kitty..

best thing for her, like everyone says.. I know this.. a new thing for us.. that's all  appreciate all the responses... was wondering also  and I forgot, going to buy the ear thermometer to check her temp.. think this would be wise.. going out later to get one...
 

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hello all i know a few of you have been following my other threads, to fill you in, my kitty of 12 years just has mammary gland surgery, her whole gland was removed with all her breast, and had a fatty tissue removed from her lymph noad, this was very intense and a serious big wound the whole length of her body.. it has not even been 48 hours.. my concern is her moving around, she can only walk a few feet and then has to lay down and rest.. I thought she had the fentanyl patch that last 5 days, the vet did not even give me any pills for pain, so the day i got home yesterday.. I called back and went out to get her the Onsior 6mg tablets, one a day for 3 days.. after a surgery like this, I would assume this is normal, she just looks like she is really struggling to move.. has anyone used these pills or had a major surgery like this..of course I am worried to death,, any thing I should look out for,, she is eating wet food, drinking some water, and using her litter pan. just pee, I do realize this is going to take some time.. oh also forgot she has 2 drainage tubes in her lower body.. maybe they are bothering her a lot, I have to take her back in 5 days to remove.. thanks for any input.. she really drags her rear end.. when I first got her home.. she did take a big walk around the house. possibly that could have really put some strain on her, and very sore... like I said it is only a few feet at a time.. there also is no more drainage that I can see, the vet said most of it is out in 24 hours.. I just feel so bad... thanks... i am also wondering if I should have gotten the patch for her...
shes probably in pain and not feeling to good maybe you need to take her back to make sure she is going good?

and if you dont mind me asking was her tumor hard as a rock or was it soft? and was it cancer or not? i have a reason for asking
 
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catsareok

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Hi Mewlittle   she is doing much better, walks around, even jumped up on the couch, about her condition,

I found the tumor very early,I always pet her tummy and feel around there for things, exactly like what I found, it was more soft feeling, not hard, I did not squeeze it though. like a bubble, then between her legs, by the lower lymph noad, I felt a big round mass..

after seeing the vet and reading up on mammary cancer and what the vet said was to get it out, he said she was maybe stage 2 or 3, because thinking it was in her lymph noad,, we brought her home and made the decision to operate, as I felt it more and more, it was flattening out and layered like lumpy, it was around 1cm, so after the surgery, the vet said most of it was cystic and a small part tumor, good news, better news was the big one in her lymph noad was just fatty tissue. that was removed also... will not know the results for 10 days if it was cancer... if you catch these things too late, and it goes into there lungs, just a matter of time. they will not operate.. hope this answers your question.. hope everything is ok with you... thanks
 

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Hi Mewlittle   she is doing much better, walks around, even jumped up on the couch, about her condition,

I found the tumor very early,I always pet her tummy and feel around there for things, exactly like what I found, it was more soft feeling, not hard, I did not squeeze it though. like a bubble, then between her legs, by the lower lymph noad, I felt a big round mass..

after seeing the vet and reading up on mammary cancer and what the vet said was to get it out, he said she was maybe stage 2 or 3, because thinking it was in her lymph noad,, we brought her home and made the decision to operate, as I felt it more and more, it was flattening out and layered like lumpy, it was around 1cm, so after the surgery, the vet said most of it was cystic and a small part tumor, good news, better news was the big one in her lymph noad was just fatty tissue. that was removed also... will not know the results for 10 days if it was cancer... if you catch these things too late, and it goes into there lungs, just a matter of time. they will not operate.. hope this answers your question.. hope everything is ok with you... thanks
when you get the results back well you let me know?
 

misty8723

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I'm glad she's feeling better and moving around some.   It just takes time.  That's really terrible that the vet didn't call you back! I would not be happy!  I know my vet is available after hours and she's taken my call a few times when I needed to ask her about something.  And one time she had someone meet me at the clinic to get some medicine for Cindy when she came down with a URI on the weekend.  Do you have any eVets in the area? I know they would be more expensive, but it's nice to know there's an option if it gets bad.

Keep us updated
 
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catsareok

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I will let you know mewlittle, the vet did call me at 6 last night, they think she is right on track, going tomorrow to get these tubes removed,, dread the drive and putting her through another visit, one thing she has not toughed her her dry food, and today  she seams a little more sluggish, day 4 it is.. not eating as much.. worries me, loosing some weight, even before the surgery her weight has gone down over the last few months.. I have plenty of different foods out for her. and 2 litter pans, because the one in the basement she poops in, I broguht that upstairs, no poop yet in 4 days,, worries me also.. I am one stressed daddy.. terribly, tomorrow will be her first day home alone.. hope she is ok.. and eats a little more, she just looks sad, bleeding a little more too, her incisions look good, she is bleeding out around her tubes, possibly moving them cleaning.. ok let you know what the vet says tomorrow. may ask if her pain needs more attention..  thanks all
 

mewlittle

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I will let you know mewlittle, the vet did call me at 6 last night, they think she is right on track, going tomorrow to get these tubes removed,, dread the drive and putting her through another visit, one thing she has not toughed her her dry food, and today  she seams a little more sluggish, day 4 it is.. not eating as much.. worries me, loosing some weight, even before the surgery her weight has gone down over the last few months.. I have plenty of different foods out for her. and 2 litter pans, because the one in the basement she poops in, I broguht that upstairs, no poop yet in 4 days,, worries me also.. I am one stressed daddy.. terribly, tomorrow will be her first day home alone.. hope she is ok.. and eats a little more, she just looks sad, bleeding a little more too, her incisions look good, she is bleeding out around her tubes, possibly moving them cleaning.. ok let you know what the vet says tomorrow. may ask if her pain needs more attention..  thanks all
awwe have you tried giving her more wet food? if she eats wet only start feeding her that more instead of the dry and okay thanks
 

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awwe have you tried giving her more wet food? if she eats wet only start feeding her that more instead of the dry and okay thanks
I agree with more wet food if she'll eat it.  I've been giving Cindy extra feedings in the day of her wet food, she's not too interested in the dry right now either, and I don't want her losing any more weight.  Or try some treats you know she likes, or tuna juice or something.  

I know how you feel about having to drag her back to the vet - breaks your heart to see them so scared and stressed.  And we can't explain to them why we're doing what we're doing.
 

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...day 4 it is.. not eating as much.....loosing some weight, even before the surgery her weight has gone down over the last few months....

...no poop yet in 4 days,,....

....hope she is ok.. and eats a little more.....
catsareok, IF she's constipated, she will have no desire for food. So, you need to deal with that in order to allow her appetite to kick back in. Ask your Vet if she has any problem with you using Miralax as a laxative. Here is the info you'll need for that: http://www.felineconstipation.org/prevention.html#OsmoticLaxativesPrevent

And, if she's not eating, there's a real risk of her developing 'fatty liver disease'. That's somewhere you do not want her to go, believe me. I suggest you ask the Vet for a few cans of one of their "prescription foods", Hill's a/d, this one: http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-feline-ad-caninefeline-critical-care-canned.html You may need to assist-feed her by giving this by syringe - if she will not eat herself, then you must take this approach. Here's a video which will show you everything You must be super-careful that she doesn't choke on (aspirate) the food, so very small amounts, into the side of the mouth, never straight down the throat.
...she just looks sad...

....may ask if her pain needs more attention
catsareok, if she not looking/acting herself, please understand that this means she IS in pain.......I wouldn't be asking if...I would ask for buprenorphine.

(pain will also cause inappetence)
 
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catsareok

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2/18  update, went to the vet, took the tube out, everything looks normal, except her weight, and eating and pooping, he gave me the appetite pill, mirtazapine 1/4 of a pill, geezz 

tell you what she won't get this again, I did some reading up on it..( anti depression ) my sis in law took these many years ago.. did not like it. it was like speed for her, meowing a weird meow, could not sit still all night, she got a workout, ate plenty of food, I had to lock her out of the bedroom, I had to sleep.. felt bad for her..

anyway as of now everything looks good, she pooped last night,, yee haa  and right now is very calm. pill is wearing off.. these things suck for a cat.. been walking with a Lil limp, not in too much pain, jumping on things.. betcha she sleeps all day today, the wife's turn to stay home with her..  just have to get some weight back.. and fur.. keep the wound clean,, vet said about the pain the last 5 days.. he did not cut into any muscle  that is why  he did not give her too much pain stuff..   lets hope things keep getting better.. thanks a lot everyone.. hopefully with this experience.

I can help others on the board.. learned  a lot through this adventure.. thanks for all the concern and help 
 

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finnlacey

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Actually that's a common reaction to mirtazapine. It even caused seratonin syndrome in my Alex when she was alive. If you have to get her another one, ask for cyproheptadine instead. It doesn't cause that reaction. 
 
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