So I know this is more personal than nursing but I hope you will all get the picture. I got home from work last night and my son went out to feed the dogs. He came in to say she looked really sick - so I went out to look at her and she was panting heavily, pupils were dilated she appeared dehydrated in spite of lapping copious amounts of fresh water. She would only stand up for a few minutes at a time and had no interest in food or her toys. Now she's not a young dog but not terribly old either (10) but I found an emergency vet and my son and I put her in the car and off we went. All the way there my son (14) is asking "Is my dog going to die?'" crying a demanding answers about weather or not I've seen anything like this before. I'm worried about the dog, trying to navigate rush hour traffic and field his questions and I just lost it. "I don't know." I screamed at him. I felt awful as I am usually a pretty therapeutic nurse. After we got to vet and she had blood work, X-rays, US and IV fluids she turned out to have a ruptured ovary and septic abdomen. then they presented my with the "Estimate" of around 2 grand for surgery and after care etc........
Well al is well so far this morning she went through surgery and we transferred her from Emergency Vet Clinic to her regular vet this am where she continues on IV ATB and fluids.
Not sure why I am sharing all this except that my husband doesn't see why she has to stay in the hospital since I can do her IVs etc......I guess I just needed to vent.
Stressful times means reacting in ways you usually don't, I'm sure your son will not suffers irreversible harm from your momentary snap. FWIW, $2000 means we'd be dogless in this house, so you're already a hero compared to if I was the momma in your house!!
My thoughts exactly. Im so sorry for your dog, but I would not spend that much. It hurt when I had to put any of my dogs down, but I couldn't spend that. You are a hero to me!!
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
My thoughts exactly. Im so sorry for your dog, but I would not spend that much. It hurt when I had to put any of my dogs down, but I couldn't spend that. You are a hero to me!!
My mom & I are huge animal lovers. We have spent that much on our pets easy.
I'm glad your dog will be okay, and completely understand coming unglued. It happens when we'return stressed out, but don't have to put on that she'll of professionalism. Hugs!
Poor baby! A vet gave me IV fluids to squeeze subq by hand once, but it was subq, I worked for the vet at the time, and had an unbelievably placid cat. Getting an IV on a dog itself is a two person job - one to roll the vein up, one to stick. I would not wish you the burden of medically monitoring and treating a beloved pet if you aren't trained for it.
I think you did the best you could in a rough situation. I'm glad pup will be ok.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
Its not easy to be the parent of a fur baby, even if we are medical professionals. I had a vet tell me that even though I am educated and do know a lot about human medical and traumatic issues, there are enough differences in veterinary medicine to warrant oversight and management by TRAINED veterinary professionals. I was ok with that. I did have to manage sub q fluid injections and insulin injections on an animal at home, but that was an unusual case and there was still veterinary oversight.
This kind vet also told me that since I was an "animal parent" that it was ok to be upset :) I'm glad that your pup is going to be ok.
Lol. I think my mom has 18G & other various sizes. It just depends on how sick the animal is & how big the animal is.
Going to be a bit off topic here, but for some reason I'm reminded of the time I asked our vet how one obtains a blood pressure on a cat (hypertension is an issue in the feline world and I was curious).
He pulled out a small box, containing a sphygmomanometer, and a BP cuff about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Stressful times means reacting in ways you usually don't, I'm sure your son will not suffers irreversible harm from your momentary snap. FWIW, $2000 means we'd be dogless in this house, so you're already a hero compared to if I was the momma in your house!!
I agree that 2 grand is a big chunk of money but we keep money aside for such emergencies and the Princess is way more than a pet - she is a member of our family and I don't regret - we could have taken her home last night and done IV ATB at home but as it turned out her entire uterus was ruptured and she would have died within 48 hours - she is now in my laundry room up on her sternum and drinking fluids by mouth - looks happy enough especially after her vet prescribed dose of tramadol.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Going to be a bit off topic here, but for some reason I'm reminded of the time I asked our vet how one obtains a blood pressure on a cat (hypertension is an issue in the feline world and I was curious).
He pulled out a small box, containing a sphygmomanometer, and a BP cuff about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Had a pet emergency four years ago, spent that and then some. Would do it all over again. It's worth every penny and I'm so glad your pup is going to be OK. Fur babies are family members. Don't be hard on yourself for sniping, it was a moment of extreme stress.
That's cool and your absolute choice. I would not choose to drop 2 grand on an animal, that's all.
I agree that 2 grand is a big chunk of money but we keep money aside for such emergencies and the Princess is way more than a pet - she is a member of our family and I don't regret - we could have taken her home last night and done IV ATB at home but as it turned out her entire uterus was ruptured and she would have died within 48 hours - she is now in my laundry room up on her sternum and drinking fluids by mouth - looks happy enough especially after her vet prescribed dose of tramadol.
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
My thoughts exactly. Im so sorry for your dog, but I would not spend that much. It hurt when I had to put any of my dogs down, but I couldn't spend that. You are a hero to me!!