[madisonsmommy]

Hi all!
My sweet 10 year old beagle is scheduled for gallbladder surgery next week and of course were nervous but know it has to be done.

3 weeks ago she was in sudden liver failure, however with medication, supplements and a white steamed fish diet her liver completely turned itself around and came down from levels of 980 to 20 which is better than normal. So our vet figured out that it was her gallbladder that was actually the cause of her liver infection. Turns out it is filled with 'sludge', he talked to 4 other top ranked vetrinarians and they all agreed since it appeared it wasnt fluid like in her gallbladder that medication would not be the way to go since she is at risk for rupture which could be horrible....so we have scheduled surgery for next Tuesday morning.

For the last 3 weeks our vet has been doing ultrasounds (on the house) to monitor it and its been stable, not better but not worse. We adore our vet and he truly is invested and compassionate over his patients. He has to bring in an outside surgeon since its a big surgery.

Anyways I was wanting to know if there is anyone out there that has been trhough gallbladder surgery with their dog?

He is confident and expects that she will make a great recovery but is real enough to say it is a big surgery as well, shes doing so well right now that its heartbreaking for us to make the decision to be proactive and get rid of her gallbladder and put her through surgery but its only a matter of time before it causes another problem or ruptures.

Thanks for your feedback!

[Mr. Vega]

Hello Madisonsmom,

I know it's hard not worry about your kids when they're going into surgery! But, i don't think there's too much to worry about. Yes, it is surgery, but, if they're going to perform the operation I think they are, then, it tends to be a relatively low-risk procedure for an experienced surgeon. I believe you said they were going to "get rid of the GB" ? That would indicate what is referred to as a cholecystectomy (removal). If I misread that, and, they're just going in to remove the sludge, it is a cholecystotomy (just making an incision in the GB for sludge removal). All of those procedures I've seen and assisted in went off with out a hitch. The reason it's considered a big surgery is that he has to go between lobes of the liver to cut the ducts and vessels that enter and leave the GB. Most of the concern is that the work is being done right up against the liver and deep within the abdominal cavity. But, like I said, they tend to go absolutely fine with a good recovery. So, relax, and get ready to nurse that girl back to health!