Get it? Because we’re short one over here.
Warning: Blood ahead.
When it comes to my dog, I am just as nuts as any other client. I can’t think logically, I panic, I just gnaw on my fingernails and try to figure out what’s the best thing to do. For this reason, I had no interest in doing Brody’s surgery whatsoever and instead entailed the services of my friend, board certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Tracy Frey of Soft Surg and the lovely staff at Animal Urgent Care, who took amazing care of us both.
I would like to state for the record that even though Pet Doctor Barbie occasionally runs into situations similar to my own in my posts, I am not her, much as I wish I could be. I’m not that cool. Dr. Frey, though, may actually be the living embodiment of Pet Doctor Barbie in flesh and blood, just with more appropriate clothes.
And when I say that, I mean it as the greatest of compliments: a beautiful and accomplished woman who kicks ass in a tough field while unapologetically maintaining her sense of self and style (it can be done!) Pouf, her amazing and adorable Pomeranian who needs to have her own Instagram account stat, also accompanied her to the surgery.
Before: when he has no idea what he is in for.
Right after induction, shaving up his ear and discovering just how pale he is under all that fur.
Getting a 3-dimensional field sterile in multiple planes takes some derring-do.
The surgery instrument wrap is, of course, also pink.
And we’re off! First stop: hunting for lymph nodes. These will be removed and sent to pathology to check for evidence of metastasis. (say no! It has to be no!)
Planning out the incision. We needed to get 3 cm past the edge of the prior biopsy in order to maximize chances of complete excision.
Eew! This was stuck in a bag and is currently being examined in a lab in Sorrento Valley. Kind of makes those pig’s ear treats a little less appealing, no?
Blood and stuff. This is why I prefer internal medicine and dermatology.
A hemostat works to clamp down on one of the major blood vessels of the ear while Dr. Frey plans a closure. One of the benefits of working with a board certified surgeon, in addition to their technical expertise in surgical technique itself, is the cosmetic outcome. Cartilage can do weird bendy things (have you ever seen a botched ear crop?) so we spent a little time discussing the possible looks for Brody’s ear nubbin:
-teeny tiny pittie point
-flat space
-rounded nubbin
We went for the third option. Being a surgeon’s work the incision line is so precise you can barely tell it’s there.
Then we spray painted him silver so he could look like a cyborg! Just kidding. That is collodial silver spray and it is actually medicinal in nature.
He woke up super fast. Groggy, but good. I sat in the cage the whole time <3
Post op warm compresses and lovin’ at home.
Every time I look at him I think of this scene from Harry Potter:
So I’ll be happy when his hair grows back. Until then he is simply “The Dog Who Lived.”
And guess what! Our neighbors brought toys and love and this is him yesterday.
Dr. Frey was right! He did just fine.
So now, I wait for the various parts of Brody scattered around the country to be analyzed, and we’ll go from there. So far, so good.
Hoping for good news for all of you. Thinking of you and cheering for Brody.
Thanks Joanne! We hope so too!
Super interesting. Thanks for posting, and best wishes to Brody.
Thank you!
Hoping all the tests come back negative for anything bad. Cancer does suck. Hang in there, Brody!
Will do!!
Thanks for posting all of this. SUPER Interesting! Many hugs to brave Brody and to you and cudos to your surgeon. Beautiful job given what needed to be done. Prayers for the tests to all be clear.
Thank you Cathey!!
Aww! Lookit his face! So happy he’s on the mend! Thank you for sharing & for the detailed descriptions. Anything medical (people or animal) fascinates me…always has (good thing, since it’s what I do – people medicine). Sending Brody lots of love and healing vibes! Also sending out “nothing but good news” vibes for the various and sundry test results!
=)
He’s being so brave!
awwwwww……. love that last pic to end on. I didn’t realize you guys were going to have to take so much. kind of scary….. please keep us posted!!!
It’s a wake up call about the need to send those little masses out for pathology no matter what. Imagine if I hadn’t and it was back, much worse, a few months later? 🙁
I would have been a big mess, if one of my fur-kids had to go through all of that. I hope and pray this is the end of it and nothing more comes. And, thanks for the warning about the blood – I skipped most of those pictures, as I have too weak a stomach for such things, which is why my childhood dream of being a vet was quickly derailed!
I hope it’s the end too! That was more than enough!
Aw, your poor little cyborg. That made me cry, especially seeing Brody’s ear lying there.
Here’s hoping the luck of the draw goes in favour of your good dog.
I know, isn’t that so sad looking? Poor dude!
Milk this for all the treats you can, Brody, and hope all the tests are in your favour.
Barbara’s Watson and Herself
Thank you Barbara! He’s getting very spoiled!
Looks like Brody came through it like a champ. It’s hard to see him as the little Cyborg, but that colloidal silver sounds very interesting. All body parts crossed for a good report on the lymph nodes. Hugs and kisses to the patient.
Signed and delivered!
So glad he’s okay! And there’s a smart (in multiple definitions) surgeon around to do the job!
Dr. Frey is a godsend!
Ohhh Brody you look so pitiful. Sending out loads of headbutts, purrs, and prayers that all the results come back good. Milk this for all you got. Tell them more pets, snuggles and treats. Especially the treats. Glad things went well in the surgery. Have a wonderful day!
He is SO milking it! And I’m happy to oblige!
Can’t believe how teary i get reading the story of a dog i’ve never met. i so hope all of his tests come back negative and he can get on with growing his hair back and enjoying the good life. until then, i bet ice cream would help him feel better…!
LOVE the “all better” shot. Give him a big kiss from me (and Esther, Sophie, and Oscar, too)! ❤️❤️❤️❤️????
Brody – All I can say is you are a fine example of the bravery that dogs put out for us two
legged kind to follow. Love and prayers to you from Michigan, may the lab results bring on a celebration.