Surgery Day



Today was the big day!

Packing List:

The Bitenot Collar

• A comfy blanket that smelled like home
• Her bitenot collar in case she started chewing her leg (these are great alternatives to lampshade collars) see http://www.bitenot.com/  Plus, I'd rather not pay for a new one if I don't have to. :)
• A baggie full of her food, not that I think she'll eat it if she's feeling yucky and not at home 

She was most excited to go in the car without Liberty, though her excitement dwindled significantly when we pulled into the parking lot of the vet's office.

Most people drop their dogs off for surgery between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning, but Dr. Bagley knows I like to stay with mine until they're asleep, so we got there around 10:30. Soon after checking in, the tech came out and gave Cosita a presurgery shot and me a towel, for any throwing up. This is one time when vomiting is good, because it empties her stomach of anything that might be left, preventing vomiting during surgery. She got that task overwith pretty quickly and continued to get more woozy, as I sat there and tried not to let my nervousness travel down the leash.

Dr. Bagley came out while we were waiting, and we talked a bit about her care after surgery. I was thrilled to learn that she won't need to be on crate rest! He said that movement is good, and to expect her to "pack it," or hold her foot up, for around 2 weeks. As it heals, she'll start to use it more, all on her own. After the first two weeks, he'll give me some physical therapy tasks to do with her. The tech suggested blocking stairs and furniture to prevent her from attempting any heroic leaps. Probably a good idea, knowing Cosita!

They came out to get her around 12:30.  The presurgery shot worked so well that I'm not even sure she realized that I handed her over. She didn't make a sound. Usually I wait in the waiting room during the surgery, and then Dr. Bagley comes and gets me before she wakes up, so she never knows I left her. This time I decided that it would be best for her if she stayed at the vet's until I get off of work on Saturday, rather than coming to work with me as usual.  So as soon as they took her back, with promises that they'd call after the surgery was finished, and encouragement for me to call as often as I wanted to check up on her, I left.

Dr. Bagley called around 2:30 to report that the surgery went perfectly with no surprises, her vitals looked good throughout, and they were at that moment waking her up.