.
Gallbladder removal
Hello everyone, I'm new to the fourm. I believe I just needed to write somethings to calm my anxiety. I have a beautiful just turned 12 Westie named Holly. She is my best friend and we do everything together. I work remote so she sleeps next to me while I'm working. She was diagnosed with gallbladder disease. They tried medication first which really lowered her enzyme numbers. After taking her back for a blood test and ultrasound it was determined she needed her gallbladder out. I can tell she doesn't feel good even though she still plays a little bit. She doesn't vomit or have loose stool. She is on a prescription diet. She doesn't want to eat it anymore. She will only eat boiled chicken and rice after her last episode. Her episode consists of her eating grass and digging for about 15min. I just sit on the grass feeling helpless. Her surgery is scheduled for Thursday with a highly recommended surgeon. I did have a consultation with the internist who will be working with Holly after surgery. I get repetitive when I'm extremely nervous so I apologize. The internist gave her about an 80-85% chance of pulling through. I know it needs to be done, I'm just beside myself. I delayed the closing on my house to take care of her. Does anyone have any experience? I did search and found a few things. I'm just wanting to know how long did it take your dog to recover? Could you tell a big difference when they had the gallbladder removed? Thanks for anyhelp. These pictures are from yesterday of my girl.
![Dog Dog breed Carnivore Plant Felidae]()
![Dog Dog breed Carnivore Companion dog Comfort]()
1 - 20 of 83 Posts
I am also very sorry to hear that and hoping for a full recovery. 
Thank you everyone. I was able to visit Holly today. She was doing well. She was alert, licked my face which caused me to cry. The specialist was pleased with how she was doing and will be allowed to come home tomorrow. The surgeon was wonderful. She called me before and after the surgery and an hour later to see how I was. I was upset on the phone. Upset as in worried and scared. Both the surgeon and specialist expect her to make a full recovery from the gallbladder removal. They told me when they find a large mass in the bile duct it can be several things. They have found the most common gallstones caused it. However gallstones were never seen on any of her ultrasounds which they are worried about. The positive I guess is typically with a cancerous mass in that location it tends to spread fast. They did not see any indication of it spreading. I'll know Monday. They did mention Holly could have some issues with her liver eventually. If it's not cancer they said she could live another 1 2 or 3 years. I'll ask them tomorrow. The goal is in three weeks she should be able to run around. I'll keep everyone posted. Bottom two pictures are right after surgey. Top two are with me about 24 hours after surgery.
![Dog Carnivore Dog breed Companion dog Snout]()
![Dog Carnivore Dog breed Companion dog Ear]()
![Toy Room Comfort Linens Baby Products]()
![Dog Carnivore Dog breed Companion dog Fawn]()
1 - 20 of 83 Posts
