From Routine to Surgery in Hours

I told you about Lenore's upcoming neurology appointment last week, and my suspicions that she was misdiagnosed were not only correct but she had layers of issues.

Let's start at the beginning, of today. Because Lenore couldn't have breakfast in case she needed to be sedated, the two of us stayed in bed snuggling as long as possible. Shortly after 10, I strapped her into her car seat and we headed to a neurology consult. Super peppy, and complaining she couldn't see out the window, nothing seemed amiss with her this morning beyond some stomach rumbling.

After an initial discussion, the vet seemed concerned about a specific portion of Lenore's back and took her in the back for a thorough exam. We all know pugs sometimes do better being examined (or having their nails trimmed) when not around their parents. 

Turns out Lenore has a spot that seemed tender to the vet, which likely meant pain, but otherwise seemed in good health. A diagnostic MRI was still needed to either confirm the old diagnosis of Pug Myelopathy or something else entirely--possibilities included a cyst, compression, stenosis, deformities, or herniated disc. After I signed away my life, I said goodbye to Lenore and headed home, crying and definitely cutting off a couple of cars as my stress level rose.

I was home by 12:15 and got an update before 2. Lenore's MRI came back with old scarring and compression from what was likely a herniated disc, but in front of that was severe bruising from a newer incident. Not pug myelopathy at all. We could do the rather simple surgery right away or wake her up and schedule a more convenient time. 

I've never been concerned with the actual surgery with Lenore--it's the anesthesia. I've been told over and over again that she had breathing issues and an elongated palate that would make breathing hard after surgery. Going under twice was more of a risk, so I said go ahead with surgery.

It went well. Was done by 4! Much of the bad junk was removed and no cord damage was present. But more importantly, she work up okay and was breathing fine. 

So that's where we are right now. Waiting. Waiting to make sure she's okay. Waiting to find out when she can come home. Waiting to see how she'll recover. Waiting...

And I've eaten about two pounds of M&Ms today. They were deserved.