Not Eating Following Surgery.

[Guest Fasave]

As many of you have read (and thanks for all the encouragement), Avalanche had several different surgeries yesterday basically in his mouth & throat. He came home last night and we had a very peaceful night. He's peeing and even pooped. He's also drinking water and showing no signs of distress. The only thing is that he hasn't eaten since Tuesday night. I have managed to get him to drink some chicken broth. I've offered ground burger, eggs, canned food, yogurt (plain and frozen) but he walks away. This is also problematic because he is on Tramadol & Clavamox and he's not letting me near his mouth and without eating, I can't hide it in food if he won't eat. I have managed to make a "slurry" and use a syringe to get the meds in his mouth but it's not likely he's getting everything.

 

He does have an appointment in the morning to remove the drain from his neck. I'm thinking it's okay to keep offering food and if he's still not eating in the am, we can talk about it at our appointment. Does this sound reasonable or should I be more concerned?

[mychip1]

My boys had dentals on Monday....Both ate that night - but then one vomited (vet says normal - just from anesthesia). Anyway, by next morning, the pain must have set in in his mouth and he would not eat anything. I even boiled soft pasta.....he would lick off the chicken broth and sour cream, but would not eat.....Later that night, I ground up a meatball and he finally broke down....and that was for just a dental....sounds like your baby had more invasive work......Can you call the vet? Maybe they can just ease your mind.....but I bet it's because the surgery was pretty extensive.....And...you do need to get the meds in....maybe they have a suggestion.

[Trudy]

I wouldn't want to be eating anything after throat/mouth surgery either.

If he's drinking, try offering ensure or something similar - liquid meal

[CaliforniaGreys]

I wouldn't be too concerned yet, however missing the pain pills would bother me a bit.

The problem with forcing him to eat just to get his pills in him could very easily make him throw up and you don't want that

 

After Ekko's dental she didn't eat for 3 days and it had nothing to do with her mouth hurting her. She had a hard time with the anesthesia and took a few days to get back to normal.

 

Talk to the vet and see what they suggest

[Guest IrskasMom]

ditto on talk to the Vet . I would not be to concerned . My Morty had Surgery and a Dental Tuesday and in the Evening I offered him Rice with Chicken and Water over it to make it easy to Eat. He did and yesterday ,Groundbeef with Rice and some Water and he ate it all. Of course small Amounts .

[Guest Stripeyfan]

You could also try warming the food a little so it smells really, really good. I hope your boy feels better soon!

[Guest Fasave]

I called. It's always hard to know whether you're over reacting or have a real concern. They said he is going to be very sore for these first 24-48 hours so absent of other symptoms, they're not concerned and they can further evaluate in the morning. Here's a picture of the stitches from the salivary gland removal but he also lost the two teeth in front where they removed the epulis so it's not all that surprising he's hesitating to eat. Thanks for the advice!

 

[CaliforniaGreys]

Feel better handsome

[Guest Energy11]

Yes, that looks SORE! I'd offer liquids only, even if you have to blend up something yummy, and go from there. I'd say it is the pain and maybe the anesthesia, causing this.

 

Poor baby! Sending lots of love and hugs!

[Guest greymama002]

to sweet Avalanche. He has been through a lot in a short time, and hopefully will soon be feeling much better and have his appetite back.

[Charlies_Dad]

Ouch! That picture says a thousands words. No wonder he is not eating. As others have said, something liquid may be the only thing he can handle right now.

[CaliforniaGreys]

Hoping for a good report on this morning's visit

[Guest happygrey]

I called. It's always hard to know whether you're over reacting or have a real concern. They said he is going to be very sore for these first 24-48 hours so absent of other symptoms, they're not concerned and they can further evaluate in the morning. Here's a picture of the stitches from the salivary gland removal but he also lost the two teeth in front where they removed the epulis so it's not all that surprising he's hesitating to eat. Thanks for the advice!

 

 

Oh my gosh! Poor guy. I can see why he'd be reluctant to eat. I hope he's feeling much, much better soon. Best wishes from Tatam, Bentley and Phoebe!

[Guest ScottH]

Heal quickly Ave! I wouldn't feel like eating after something like that either. Hope he feels better and starts eating again soon.

[Batmom]

Hope your sweet boy is starting to feel better today.

[Guest Fasave]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and checking in. He's eating a little better so as long as we can see improvement, no matter how slow, I'm good.

 

I took him in today to have the drain removed and I was surprised to learn all his biopsy results were in. Everything removed from the mouth and neck came back benign. However, the small lumps removed from his leg are in fact re-growth of the previous soft tissue sarcoma that was removed two years ago so the cancer's back. The good news is that it is a low grade tumor and now two vets have said it's unlikely to kill him but it can become problematic at some point. Right now he just needs to heal. We've got some time to decide next steps with his leg. Now if we can keep him away from all the stitches for the next 12 days, we will be good. He's already gone after the leg and has decided to rub his neck stitches on the furniture. I'm thinking the only real solution is going to be to stare at him for the next 12 days.

[Batmom]

I'm glad half the news was good at least! Hopefully you'll be able to manage the leg bumps so he isn't bothered. Thank goodness he's so handsome -- should make staring relatively easy .

[TheFullHouse]

Ouch, that looks sore. I wouldn't eat well either. Glad you got mostly good news. Hope he heals quickly.