Don't scare us again Miss Sadie!

In the early hours of last Friday morning, I received a message from Miss Sadie's mom.
Sadie was being gently loaded into mom's car and on route to Kamloops Vet hospital. Sadie had been having severe abdomen pain throughout the night. She was unable to lay down comfortably and she could not walk. A big scare but all is well. 1 full week of recovery and she's almost up and about. 

Needless to say, her mom was more than just concerned. With a 2-hour drive ahead of them, there was no time to spare. Sadie is a big girl and her inability to move made loading for transport difficult.  Fortunately, mom's supportive and good friend, Rhonda was there to help get Miss Sadie in and then out of the car once at the clinic.

The caring staff at Kamloops Vet Clinic on Dalhousie Dr. took Miss Sadie quickly and began a thorough examination. GVD was ruled out (Twisted stomach). Sadie reacted to them touching her lower intestine. Something was there.  They administered pain meds and dye and X-rays were taken. There was a partial blockage.They could not see bones or rocks or the cause or the blockage. They administered meds that would hopefully, help her push out what ever was there. Sadie would be staying overnight. The hope was, the meds would help her dislodge whatever was in her lower intestine. If not, she would need exploratory surgery to discover the cause. We crossed our paws and we prayed it was not a tumour.
Sadie's mom is very diligent about watching what goes into Sadie's mouth, what she plays with and what she eats. However she was concerned Sadie had been able to sneak a sock! (one of her favourite things to steal)  Sadie had been visiting us 2 days before and I immediately started going thru my laundry to spot if anything was missing. All matched up! Whew!
As you can imagine her mommy was distraught having to leave Sadie overnight but needed to travel back home. She felt confident leaving Sadie in the nurturing hands of Dr. Emily and her two surgeons Dr. Irene Peychev & Dr. Kathy Blackford. Even though, as we all do, she worried about her girl all night long.
The long night finally passed and Sadie's mom received the phone call telling her Miss Sadie was going into surgery. She had not passed anything during the night and was still in discomfort.  It would be another day before Miss Sadie was out of the woods.
That day finally arrived and the culprit of Sadie's pain was discovered. The surgery showed it was not a tumour but her pancreas! A sigh of relief and now she needs a specialized maintenance plan.
When Sadie woke she was anxious and unsettled and the doctors felt it would be in Sadie's best interest for her to heal at home. Mommy quickly made plans to head over to Kamloops to pick up her sweetie pie.  

Still feeling the sedation effects.

Sadie was home by 8:00 pm that evening. Still under the effects of her anaesthetic but she was more relaxed when she was awake. She finally settled by 11 pm and slept until 5:30 the next morning. She had a sip of water and tiny bite of food. Her mommy had created a soft, safe place for her to rest during her recovery and provided waterproof pads so Sadie didn't have to try to get up to piddle. Her mommy was by her side to keep her clean and comfortable to heal relaxed and comfy.  Sadie's 'grandpa' built a small ramp on their porch that would help Sadie when she was able to navigate the outdoors again. A caring family full of love for her, who watched over her and enabled her to heal from her trauma.   Dr. Emily had provided several meds to be taken. There was anti nausea pills and antibiotics and pain meds and instructions that mommy followed to a tee.
The very next evening Sadie began to vomit and her mom feared the worse. She made a phone call to the vet and they suggested Sadie return to the hospital. Mom made the call to the hospital and she alerted her travelling companion, she had gathered the necessary items for Sadie's transport. By then, Sadie was sitting up and smiling with a wagging tail! 

What's going on mom? Why am I going back to the docs?

"Oh no you don't!" thought mommy! "I'm taking you back anyway. The doctor can give you a thorough exam and give you the 2 thumbs up before I bring you back home again. You scared me!"

That's just what happened. Dr. Emily gave Sadie a 2 thumbs up and mommy felt reassured. She was doing everything right and Sadie's incision was healing well.  Her meds were altered, a probiotic added, along with a topical cream for her incision. She is going to be just fine!
She has her loved ones by her side and will now be on an even stricter diet and modified exercise program. 

Minkie - "Where did you go Sadie? I missed you!"

Emelin - "I'm so happy you're home Sadie. We were so worried about you!"

In the days that follow, Sadie is perking up slowly and beginning to show her happy face again.  Mommy is able to get more sleep and started working on preparing Sadie's meal plans.
There will be no more cookies in Sadie's diet and her already regular exercise routine will be modified when she's up and able. 
We're hoping Miss Sadie will be able to visit us during her healing, on days we are 'dogfree' and use our yard as a playground for safe activities.
We were all so very worried about you Miss Sadie! We're so happy you're on the road to recovery. Please take care and come visit us soon!