Grand rounds in the post-op ward

Patient 1 is a four year old female German Shepherd Dog who underwent an ovariohysterectomy on Wednesday. The procedure was uneventful and the patient was discharged the same day to the care of her foster family. The only remarkable thing was her apparent sensitivity to the anesthesia which left her drooling much of the afternoon and very groggy the first night and into the next day. Her family reported that she did not eat or drink Wednesday evening and was still lethargic Thursday morning. She finally drank the water drained from a can of chicken and subsequently consumed the chicken itself. A meal of chicken and rice was prepared for her, which she readily consumed along with her anti-inflammatory pain medication. By Thursday evening she was closer to normal but "normal" for this dog is very quiet and sedate making it difficult to judge. Patient refused to indicate her pain level by pointing at the appropriate grimacing face on the pain scale chart. Prognosis, good, family will continue to monitor her food and water intake, and insure she ingests her medication. 

Greta gave a WTF? reaction when presented with this chart.

Patient 2 is a two year old female Great Dane, who recently injured herself in a manner that is still TBD. The laceration was deep but was closed with a Penrose drain installed. Family was advised to keep a cone on her, to leash walk only, and to monitor the drain. Today the patient returned to have the drain removed. The sutures were intact and there were no signs of infection. The patient's affect was bright, friendly, and playful. Patient's family will have a difficult time keeping her calm, sedate, and under control for another two weeks while the wound heals before the sutures can be removed. 

Patient 3 is a young female Labrador Retriever who presented this morning for an ovariohysterectomy. She was the last on the surgery schedule but was discharged to the care of her foster family with instructions to begin pain medication only after 9:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Being young, she is expected to recover quickly and the family was advised to keep her strictly indoors with no running or playing even when she feels like it and her friends keep asking her to come outside. 

Greta is such a calm and quiet dog that it's difficult to know how she's feeling.

Actually it was easy enough when she wouldn't eat or drink so I think we can

assume that she's feeling better now because her appetite has definitely returned.

Yesterday evening and this morning when she went outside she would just

lie down on the deck. Now she's sitting up and hoping for more food in her bowl.

Della was able to lick the bottom end of the drain and I was afraid she would 

grab it and remove it herself. I think she's happy that it's gone, I know I am. 

She really seems to feel like her old self again. I'm still sleeping in my office

next to her crate, which is next to Serena. Maya slept next to my inflatable bed last night.

Callie will probably feel pretty good by Friday morning. She's still a bit groggy

Thursday evening and quite content in her crate. She ate some chicken and rice already

and I'll give her a bit more, with her pill, before bedtime.

Thor and Betty White were missing her today. 

Apparently she is the life of the party out in Daneland.