Introduction: Roo and Java (13 y/o Labrador retriever x) adrenalectomy advice

Oh, by the way, my nickname is Roo and my dog's name is Java. I think some of you might have thought it was the other way around. :D
That's OK though, I think Roo would be a good name for a dog as well.

I went back and made my corrections Roo - yes I do see were a few of us members called the pup Roo:o But but names are great!!:) Still waiting here with you for an update - yup no news is good news - still praying for Java!! xo

Prayers are going out from Arizona for our girl Java.

Ken

Good news! :D

Java just came out of a two hour surgery. Dr. Bookbinder was happy to report that the tumor had no vascular involvement, and the other organs did not have anything that indicated that the tumor was cancerous. He believes that he removed 100% of the tumor, at least everything that was visible to the eye. He said there could be possible reoccurance if it were malignant and there were microscopic cells left in the body, but he thinks the chance is small.

It was also nice to hear the tone in the doctor's voice when he described how well the procedure went, I could tell that it was personally important to him and that he doesn't distance himself. He cared about Java and about what we were going through as well, he had a lot of empathy for the situation. I would definitely recommend this doctor to anyone in central New York who finds themselves in a similar position.

Java is expected to be released on either Thursday or Friday. At that point I will need monitor her closely and give her cortisone until her remaining adrenal gland starts functioning. The doctor said that he could not even see her right adrenal gland, but also mentioned that she is overweight, so her fat was in the way. She still has a lot of healing to do as well, her incision is from the breast bone all the way to the other end. As part of the surgery he also explained that a large vein had to be cut in half and then tied off, but that is normal and expected. Despite the fact that she has obstacles to overcome, she had the best possible outcome during surgery, so it is a huge relief and I am very thankful that Java will be with us for a while longer.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, I'm sure that they helped Dr. Bookbinder through this difficult surgery and helped me as well, since my stress level was through the roof!

I'm going to give a call tonight to check up on her again, they have an overnight techician that we can talk to.

OMG ROO I AM SOOOOO HAPPY THE OPERATION WENT WELL!!!!!!!

Yes you are lucky to have such a wonderful vet!! Java is a trooper and will make a full recovery!! You must feel like a huge weight has been taken off your shoulders!! I will continue to pray for you and Java on the road TO recovery - BIG WARM HUGS TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

will be back toinght for an update on Java!!!!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is terrific news!!!!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Mariane

So glad it went well! And I thought Roo was Java's name too, cute nickname!

Sounds like it was the best possible scenario! Judi

WOOT, WOOT, WOOT!!!!! Go, Java, Go!!!!!!!!

We just called to check on Java for the evening. She is still doing good, they moved her out to a "run" so she would have more room and it would be a little cooler, and gave her some blankets and pillows to sleep on. They say that Java has been a good patient, she is having a little bit of pain though because the operation was near the pancreas. Sounds like she is doing as well as expected though, she is in good spirits considering.

Roo -

you must be so thrilled to get such a good report on her after just getting out of surgery hours ago!! Way to go Java!!!!!!!!! I know its hard not to worry (believe me I know) but I hope you get some sleep the next couple of nights cause she will need her Mom when she gets home!!:):) HUGSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roo,

All of the news is wonderful, as good as you could possibly hope for at this point. I think Java is well over half way out of the woods now. I hope you will be able to visit her soon.

Ken

That is really good to hear.

Terry

Wonderful news. Continued strength and love sent your way as dear Java recovers from surgery. Kim

Hi Roo - Just checking in to see how Java istoday?? Hope all is going well. Will check back:)

I'm happy to report that Java is at home today. Our vet was thinking of keeping her until Friday but he thought it would be better for her to be at home. He said that she was constantly looking for us and nervous, and he thought she would be more likely to eat if she were at home. Java got wonderful care while she was in the surgical facility, they encouraged us to call at any hour of the day or night. The woman who works in the evening even brought in some plain pasta for her to see if she would eat it. The whole staff is fantastic, and Dr. Bookbinder is very skilled and compassionate towards the animals he is treating.

It's pretty obvious that Java has been through a lot. Right now she is having a little trouble with her back legs and getting up, I think because of the abdominal incision. She had her left knee repaired a few years ago, that seems to be the one that is giving her trouble. The doctor thinks she may have been laying on that leg most of the time and was lame from that. She was not very interested in eating today after coming home, I think because she did not get much rest when she was at the hospital. She's sleeping on her favorite rug right now. Hopefully tomorrow I can get her to eat something. I'm going to be working from home so I'll be able to keep an eye on her.

I'll let you know tomorrow how Java is, waking up in her own home might be a good start. I'm sure the sleep she is getting tonight will help her to heal. She goes back in three weeks to get the stitches removed.

Hi Roo,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad your girl is home with you tonight. I'm sure once she gets settled in and feeling more like herself, she'll find her appetite. Hugs to you both.

Glynda

One thing I did notice, and I will have to ask the dr. tomorrow, I notice Java has some thick mucus coming out of her eyes. She did have the problem before she went in, but it seems more severe now. Has anyone noticed this in their pets after bringing them home? It could be just a coincidence.

One other thing I just remembered - her alkaline phosphates were 1740 pre-surgery, today's bloodwork showed that it is in the 800 range now - still too high but is lowered by more than 50%.

Hi Roo

Anesthesia dries out the eyeballs so if Java had irritation before, it is undoubtedly worse now. You should call your vet tomorrow and see if you can get some eye ointment to alleviate the inflammation. It sounds like conjunctivitis (dry eye) and that can be very painful. Cyclosporin (Optimmune) is usually prescribed and it helps a lot. Have you had a Schirmer test done on Java to check tear production?

I'm glad to hear that the alkaline phosphatase has dropped so much. That's great. Now that the source has been eliminated, you should see this continue to go down. There is no one time frame to use as all dogs are different. I'm sure your vet will keep checking infrequently so please keep us posted on the progress.

You were correct about the anesthesia and the irritation. I have some ointment for her eyes now which should help.

I discovered part of the reason that she did not want to eat was because of a growth that was removed from the side of her mouth...she has tiny little staples in it to hold it together and she was having trouble eating out of a bowl. The vet told me to give her some chicken and rice or ground beef and rice. I had some ground lamb in my freezer so I used that instead. She actually got up and went towards the kitchen when she smelled me cooking it; that did the trick. I hand fed some of it to her, and then put it on a flat plat instead of her bowl so that it would be easier to eat.

Hi Roo,

Have not been able to get online for a few days but am SOOOOOO happy to hear about Java's successful surgery! I hope her recovery is swift and uneventful!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Hi Roo - I am sooooo happy Java is home with you!!!:D Yup that rice and chicken worked well with Penny when she had her teeth out - I pray for a healthy recovery for Java and hope all goes well - just having Java home yesterday must of been such a joy!!!! Give Jave a kiss and hug from us!! XO Thanks for the updates!!!

Roo,

Congratulations on your successful adrenalectomy and post-op. I'm sure you know but there is some serious healing going on and will be for a while. Java is probably going to be feeling her oats soon, if not already. Absolutely no running or jumping, at all, for another week or two. I'm so glad she is eating.

Ken

I am also happy to report some news about the pathology report. The results came back today and the report indicates that the tumor was not cancerous! That is a big relief, for sure.

Java is starting to show signs of feeling better already, she has that "smile" that was gone for a little while when she was not feeling well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Buffaloe

Roo,

Congratulations on your successful adrenalectomy and post-op. I'm sure you know but there is some serious healing going on and will be for a while. Java is probably going to be feeling her oats soon, if not already. Absolutely no running or jumping, at all, for another week or two. I'm so glad she is eating.

Ken

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She is supervised when she needs to go out, just in case there is a squirrel or bunny in our yard I don't want her trying to go after it; it's been really cold here today so she wants to come right back in anyway, we had some snow and I'm sure with the shaved belly the cold weather isn't much fun.

Congratulations on the biopsy results! I am so happy that Java is doing so well.

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/x...onddayhome.jpg

Java's second day home. She's starting to feel better.

http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/x...aUltasound.jpg

This one is just silly...it's the day she got the ultrasound. She was happy with the extra attention and was somehow OK with laying on her back like this.

Java is such a beautiful girl! So happy that the surgery went well and will be praying for a speedy recovery.

Sending hugs, Lori

Hi Roo -

so happy for the fantastic pathology report!!! So happy Java is getting her smile back:D Thats a great sign!!! Heres to more good days ahead!!!!!!!!!:) Will be checking in daily!!! xo

Hi Roo, I'm so happy, too, about the biopsy!! :) :) :) That is just fantastic news!! Please give Java some gentle hugs from me, and tell her she is a very brave girl. I'll keep watching for all your updates, and I have every confidence that Java will just keep on improving every single day.

Marianne

So happy for the positive outcome of all this!!!!!!! my little girls is scheduled for November 28th.........we are as well hoping for all the very very best. I am soooo very happy and glad to here good things reported on your end! whootwhoot all pet children are saying cyper high "paws" ((((hugs)))))

Oh, Roo!

I am tickled pink with the results of the path report! :D I know you were so relieved to hear the news!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

love the happy picture and congrats on the path results! When you described the length of her scar I winced but it looks like your trooper is handling things just fine!

Roo - that picture is so funny when she was having her ultarsound - she looked like she was having a good time!!!!! She looks pretty good for 2nd day post op - way to go Java!!!!!! Will be looking forward to seeing some more pics!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/x...vabirthday.jpg

Today is Java's 13th Birthday today! We don't know her actual birthday since she is a rescue dog, but we arbitrarily chose November 5th as the day to celebrate. Of course this year is special, since it wasn't too long ago when we were wondering if Java would make it to her birthday. I gave her some chicken today for her special treat.

The link to the picture above was a photo of her that was taken today. She's squinting because the sun is in her eyes, but I think you can see from the picture how well she is doing. She has her old appetite back, is now making it up and down the stairs without assistance, and has gone back to her old patterns such as greeting us at the door with her favorite duck toy. The other day she tried to run after a squirrel, she scared me because I was thinking about her stitches. I guess that's what Ken was saying about her wanting to feel her oats soon!

I think she feels so much better than she did when she had the tumor that she is wanting to do more and more. We will have to see what the doctor says is OK for her to do, when she gets her stitches out on Nov. 17. I know he is going to be really pleased with what he sees, because she was still frail when she left the hospital...she couldn't even wag her tail when she saw us, and was limping on her back leg. Maybe he will clear her for going for walks, that was her favorite thing to do before she got sick, but for the past few months, she was too sick to want to do that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cyn719

Roo - that picture is so funny when she was having her ultarsound - she looked like she was having a good time!!!!! She looks pretty good for 2nd day post op - way to go Java!!!!!! Will be looking forward to seeing some more pics!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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Java actually was having a good time at the ultrasound. She is a very happy-go-lucky lab, and I'm told she was very cooperative. I couldn't be there to see it, my husband took her for the ultrasound and snapped the picture on his phone. I guess the staff loved her, that's not the usual reaction when they put a dog on their back for an abdominal ultrasound!

She looks so good! :):):) I am glad to hear that she feeling so much better - that is wonderful!

Happy 13th Birthday, Java!

So happy to hear that Java is doing so well and she looks just beautiful in her picture!

Happy Birthday, sweet Java!!!

Love and hugs,
Lori

happy 13th birthday java!!!!!!

she looks so good in her picture - glad the recovery is going well!!!!!!!

Hugssssssss