I recently posted that my cat Chewy would be undergoing surgery on his back left leg to correct some orthopedic issues: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/276757/cat-needs-surgery-for-luxating-patella-and-joint-mouse
We had the surgery this past Tuesday (three days ago now) and I have to say it was much more horrific than I ever anticipated. When I picked him up from the vet he was so stoned and peeing, pooing and biting at the vet and I as we tried to move him to his crate. He would completely freak out and bite at the dressing, and screaming at the top of his lungs, thrashing around. This ordeal continued for the whole night. I slept beside his cage and had to repeatedly open it and restrain him from thrashing around. The cries were so loud it was absolutely gut wrenching - I was in tears. I am still upset and traumatized by the first night.
My vet commented that he thought Chewy has a low pain tolerance. While I respect his opinion, I believe that Chewy actually just reacts poorly to anesthesia. I have never experienced a general anesthetic with Chewy specifically, but he rarely complained of pain in the time leading up to his surgery. Once the surgeon opened his knee, they found one of the cruciate ligaments was completely torn in addition to his luxating patella.
I was wondering if others have had similar post-operative experiences with a pet? I work as a recovery room/ICU nurse in a large hospital and thus I see some people who wake up just terribly from surgery. I would say that Chewy is likely of that sort. Once the anesthesia cleared about 24-36 hours later he was much more himself. I have even given him less pain meds than prescribed as he was so dopey and after two days was very happy just resting in his bed and didn't complain much to move to pee or eat.
The vet wants me to bring him back to have the stitches removed but I think I will ask the vet if he minds if I do it myself. I have worked in the surgical setting for 7 years now and have bucket loads of experience removing stitches and the like. I think it will be less traumatic for Chewy if I can do it here with the help of my husband as I know the vet will want to sedate him again (not GA but procedural sedation). I am happy to take him to the vet for a follow up and for him to visualize the wound but I think for my sanity and Chewy's I will do the stitches at home. The incision has about 10 stitches, which I think is manageable.
Getting the mobility restricting dressing off today was a bit difficult. It went just great until right at the end... as I got the the bottom, the vet had taped the wrapping gauze to his foot. As I tried to remove the tape poor Chewy completely flipped (after being quite calm for me cutting off the rest of the dressing) and took off. He got maybe 5 -10 feet before I could grab him but part of me worries now that the sudden movement may have undone or damaged the surgical repair... big sigh.
Either way, my husband and I have decided that surgery again of any sort is not an option for this cat. He doesn't tolerate anesthesia well and the stress of it all was likely not worth the potential pay off. Considering his terrible reaction the first night he may have very well re-ruptured the ligament and the entire surgery is a loss. We did what we thought was right and who knows how things will turn out. I feel terrible for putting him through this and hope that somehow the ligament repair has managed to maintain itself and he has some improved quality of life from all this hardship.
Thanks so much for reading/listening/sharing experiences with difficult anesthesia. It's been a rough week!
We had the surgery this past Tuesday (three days ago now) and I have to say it was much more horrific than I ever anticipated. When I picked him up from the vet he was so stoned and peeing, pooing and biting at the vet and I as we tried to move him to his crate. He would completely freak out and bite at the dressing, and screaming at the top of his lungs, thrashing around. This ordeal continued for the whole night. I slept beside his cage and had to repeatedly open it and restrain him from thrashing around. The cries were so loud it was absolutely gut wrenching - I was in tears. I am still upset and traumatized by the first night.
My vet commented that he thought Chewy has a low pain tolerance. While I respect his opinion, I believe that Chewy actually just reacts poorly to anesthesia. I have never experienced a general anesthetic with Chewy specifically, but he rarely complained of pain in the time leading up to his surgery. Once the surgeon opened his knee, they found one of the cruciate ligaments was completely torn in addition to his luxating patella.
I was wondering if others have had similar post-operative experiences with a pet? I work as a recovery room/ICU nurse in a large hospital and thus I see some people who wake up just terribly from surgery. I would say that Chewy is likely of that sort. Once the anesthesia cleared about 24-36 hours later he was much more himself. I have even given him less pain meds than prescribed as he was so dopey and after two days was very happy just resting in his bed and didn't complain much to move to pee or eat.
The vet wants me to bring him back to have the stitches removed but I think I will ask the vet if he minds if I do it myself. I have worked in the surgical setting for 7 years now and have bucket loads of experience removing stitches and the like. I think it will be less traumatic for Chewy if I can do it here with the help of my husband as I know the vet will want to sedate him again (not GA but procedural sedation). I am happy to take him to the vet for a follow up and for him to visualize the wound but I think for my sanity and Chewy's I will do the stitches at home. The incision has about 10 stitches, which I think is manageable.
Getting the mobility restricting dressing off today was a bit difficult. It went just great until right at the end... as I got the the bottom, the vet had taped the wrapping gauze to his foot. As I tried to remove the tape poor Chewy completely flipped (after being quite calm for me cutting off the rest of the dressing) and took off. He got maybe 5 -10 feet before I could grab him but part of me worries now that the sudden movement may have undone or damaged the surgical repair... big sigh.
Either way, my husband and I have decided that surgery again of any sort is not an option for this cat. He doesn't tolerate anesthesia well and the stress of it all was likely not worth the potential pay off. Considering his terrible reaction the first night he may have very well re-ruptured the ligament and the entire surgery is a loss. We did what we thought was right and who knows how things will turn out. I feel terrible for putting him through this and hope that somehow the ligament repair has managed to maintain itself and he has some improved quality of life from all this hardship.
Thanks so much for reading/listening/sharing experiences with difficult anesthesia. It's been a rough week!