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"Lucy's"
Big day
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This is an account of
what's involved in a Canine Ovariohistorectomy (Spay).
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As seen through "Lucy's" Eyes:
I thought it was going to be the usual, petting, caressing, liver
treats, but my visit to the clinic was more elaborate this time.
First the doctor, along with help from her Technician (Veterinary
Nurse) gave me a physical exam. They took my temperature,
respiration rate, and heart rate. The doctor then gave me
an injection with a sedative to make me sleepy. That wasn't usual.
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When I was sleepy, I didn't mind the IV catheter they put into
my leg. Fluids dripped slowly so I could be hydrated and
so that my kidneys would stay healthy. I felt happy. When
they gave me another injection through the catheter, I went right
to sleep.
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They told me later that I had an endotracheal tube inserted into
my trachea so that the doctor and the technician could give me
anesthetic and control my breathing during surgery.
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They hooked me up to a machine (a Doppler monitor) so they could
monitor my blood pressure throughout the surgery.
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While I was asleep I received
a tattoo in my right ear. Very tasteful; classy, even. This
will help identify me and return me to my parents if I get lost.
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While I was asleep the doctor turned me on my back and checked
my hips. This is called the Ortolani test; it checks the
hip joint for laxity. If she gets a positive result than
she follows up with hip Xrays. But I was fine.
My belly was shaved and washed up in preparation for surgery.
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While Dr. Crook did the surgery, the technician continually monitored
my heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and IV fluids to ensure
my safety under anesthetic. She also made sure I was warm by putting
warmed up bean bags on either side of me.
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The surgery involved removing my ovaries and uterus, which you
can see below along with a picture of what my belly looks like
after surgery with the little pink sutures.
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After surgery the technician sat with me until I was awake enough
to have my endotracheal tube removed from my throat. She
also provided me with a comfy warm bed to recover in.
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Once I was awake enough my parents came to pick me up. They were
given a take home sheet with my picture on it and an account of
what my day was like. The sheet also contained instructions on
how to care for me at home after the surgery.
So that was my big day. Even though I wasn't really sure
of what was going on everyone was very patient and kind and took
good care of me.
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Lucy
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