Cross your paws for Bear

Bear was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday but he deteriorated on the weekend and got admitted for emergency surgery today. Things were touch and go for a while - his lungs were full of fluid and the vets were worried that they'd lose him inducing anaesthesia but he made it under fine, and once dosed with Lasix & ventilated, his SO2's came to normal range. The surgery was to repair an old diaphragmatic hernia which was most likely caused by being hit by a car.

His liver and loops of bowel had migrated into his thoracic cavity - not a good place for liver & bowel to be, and definitely put a cramp in his breathing.

We had been warned that if, once they had him open, it appeared that there was a lot of damage to the lungs or the other organs, the only option would be to euthenize him on the table.

Fortunately, the surgeon didn't see a huge lot of damage, there were no major adhesions and the lungs appear to be in fair condition.

Now it's the recovery. He's in great hands at the special care hospital & he is a strong boy - so let's hope he can pull through this & have many, many days of romping.