One Very Strong Pig
This morning, I drove Linus over to the vet by myself, and I was actually calm. I narrated the journey because Linus’s carrier needs to be closed while the car is in motion. (He likes to stand up with his head out, looking around, whenever we’re parked.)
When we got there, I knew that we had chosen the right place. The nurse was organized and caring. The surgeon came outside to speak to me in the parking lot and meet Linus. He won points for remarking that Linus is such a cute pig. (He is such a cute pig. This is his hopeful, “maybe there’s a second treat?” face that he made before he went into the hospital.)
I got to have a few final moments of cuddling and whispering that I love him, and then the surgeon brought him into the building, telling me that he would likely do the surgery in the late morning, and Linus would go home around 7 pm.
I went home to try to work.
His surgery got pushed back a few hours because of other surgeries, but the vet called to let me know they were starting. Soon after he called to say that his testicles looked abnormal, and they were recommending removing them because they were likely cancerous. At this point, I was concerned but also felt lucky that we caught this other problem early. I agreed that we should remove the testicles while he was already under general anesthesia.
Then the surgeon called back to say that they knew there was a stone because they had taken new x-rays, except it wasn’t in the bladder anymore. The surgery had become a lot more complicated. Another doctor was brought in and two nurses. They needed to reconstruct his urethra. He was under anesthesia for over three hours. The vet told me he had never seen anything like this. But he was one strong pig. And he’s currently waking up slowly.
This was not the aftermath we thought we’d have. We thought we’d bring him home and coax him to eat and drink. But he can’t come home tonight. The vet told me that he would bring him back to his house when he left the hospital so he wouldn’t be alone with the other animals and he could have someone watching him if he made noise in the night. We may be able to bring him home tomorrow. We may not. I guess we won’t know until he’s ready to go home. In any case, he said he’d call me a few times this evening with updates.
I am so grateful for people who care about animals. Who understand that caring about animals is one way to care about the people who love them.
16 comments
Aww – poor Linus. I’m glad he’s got a caring and competent vet.
You must be very upset. I hope he’ll be just fine. Much luck.
I’ve been sort of poking my nose over to see if there was an update. I’m glad Linus is so strong and is out of surgery. Glad that he’s waking up. Glad that the vet is taking him home for a little extra TLC. Will continue to hope that Linus is home tomorrow and makes a swift, full recovery.
One tough pig! And what a caring, caring vet! I wish him a gentle night tonight and hope that you get to see him and help him on the road to recovery soon! ((Hugs))
I was hoping for an update tonight and I am very glad to hear that it went well. I wish it had been simpler but I’m glad that since there were other problems, they caught them and fixed them. I hope he’s home soon.
I’m so glad to see this update. I’m sorry he’s not home with you, but what an amazing vet that Linus will go to his home. Hoping he will be home with you tomorrow.
Poor Linus! But also, amazingly strong Linus. I’m glad he made it through his ordeal and had great caring people to watch out for him!
I’ve been thinking about you both since this morning, sending so much love your way. Linus is a strong pig, he knows how much you need him right now. Huge hugs and hopes that he’ll go home tomorrow to his family.
That vet sounds so wonderful! Taking Linus home with him so he wouldn’t be alone! I’m so sorry it was more complicated than expected, but it sounds like he is in the best possible hands. You must be missing him terribly.
Linus is adorable. Hugs.
I’m glad you have such a great vet and that these other problems were caught. I hope Linus has a quick recovery and comes home soon.
The first thing I did when I turned on my phone this morning was check to see how Linus was doing. That little pig has a lot of people rooting for his recovery. 🙂 I hope he’s home with you soon! <3
Strong pig indeed. Hoping for a quick recovery and that he’ll be home soon.
I’m glad Linus is in caring & kind hands. I hope he feels better soon and is able to come home. ((Hugs))
Thinking of you and Linus. I hope he can come home soon.
Oh so happy to see this update, and hoping he comes home to you all soon! sending lots of good wishes to the sweet little pig.
Oh, dear. It sounds like you have found the perfect vet office to handle this — so skillful and so caring. I’m so glad that Linus is a strong pig, and I think also you are a strong pig mom.
Awaiting further news…xoxo
Oh my. I am glad that Linus has a good and caring vet and that he is being cared for by someone knowledgeable about all that, though I’m sorry he’s not home with you yet.