Cali, post-op morning 1: 7:00 AM

Last night, following what turned out to be a three and a half hour surgery, the vet hospital called Emily to tell her that Cali had made it through surgery, where her gallbladder was removed and a stent placed to keep the common bile duct open until healing occurs.  She had a hypotensive event during the procedure and had to be administered vasoactive medication.  This is common in dogs having gallbladder surgery, I was forewarned, because harassment/manipulation of the gallbladder tends to stimulate the vagal nerve, the nerve responsible for the tone of the vasculature.

This morning, I called and spoke with the senior surgical student who is caring for Cali in the hospital.  Later, when I visit, I will speak with the surgeon.

She is in intensive care, with a jugular vein catheter delivering a constant rate of Fentanyl, an opiate pain reliever, and Hetastarch, a colloid intravenous fluid that holds intravascular fluid within the venous space, increasing blood pressure.  She has a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, a tube that opens a port from the outside directly into the stomach.  It is placed for the introduction of food and medication and liquid when she can digest them safely, which will probably be tomorrow.

She has voided this morning, and walked a bit, albeit unsteadily, all very good signs in a dog given eighteen hours to four days to live!

It is likely that she will be in the hospital for days.  We can visit her upon prior arrangement.  When I do, I will update you.  Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.  I will pass them on to our little girl.