surgery to remove home after radiation treatment

[beardedneato]

I just returned from the vet and she wants to do surgery to remove a tumor above Neato's eye. She poked it with a needle. It showed no pus or infection so it's not an abscess. She said there was large cells in the sample. So she feels she needs to remove the tumor.

I had thought the swelling was due to an irritation caused by having a megray eb bulb. But removing the bulb didn't help and the swelling above Neato's eye has got bigger.

I am terrified to put Neato under to remove the tumor. He is 6 1/2 years old.

Has anyone had to have their beardie put under for surgery??? She said she was use gas not injections.

 

[beardedneato]

bump

 

[Khammy87]

Gas anesthesia is generally safe for most critters, especially sevoflorane. What is nice about Sevoflorane is the fact that it is quickly eliminated from the body as the animal exhales. They do take a little longer for them to go under, but once they are under, the procedure can be done, and the animal can be quickly woken up. I would be sure to be dealing with a vet that has experience with reptile anesthesia and surgery. Generally speaking, the tumor is going to be more of a risk with your pet than the anesthesia is. I would go for it.

 

[Khammy87]

Another option could also be to re-take a fine needle aspirate and have it sent to a pathologist to determine what the growth is. The pathologist should be able to give you an idea whether to remove it or not.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, does she suspect cancer possibly? Did they send off the cells to be tested at the lab?
If he is very healthy, then, at that age, he should come through a surgery as long as the anesthesia is given properly & the ventilation is done correctly. The Sevoflurane is certainly fine, as it does have low blood gas solubility so the recovery would be faster than with other anesthesics. Has the vet discussed which anesthesia would be used? However, there has not been very much research done on the effects of Sevoflurane in reptiles though, at least not yet.
Let us know how things are going.

Tracie

 

[beardedneato]

Neato's surgery is this morning. Thanks for your answers. I have no clue what kind of gas will be used. The vet will send off the tumor to see if it is cancer. I'm so scared for my Neato.

Any ideas on what I'll need for his after care? I figured I'd sterilize his tank and rocks while he is at the vet. Keeping the wound clean should be interesting.

 

[Khammy87]

The vet will probably give you something to keep the surgery site clean at home. Just be sure to use everything the vet tells you as he prescribes. Also, I would increase his temps in his cage during healing.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

 

[beardedneato]

I can pick Neato up at 4 pm eastern time zone. He is alert so we will just have to wait to see if it is cancer or what. I will be putting eye drops in and giving antibiotic every other day. I'm to keep him warm and the wound clean. She will give me a after care sheet when I pick him up.

 

[beardie parents]

I'm glad to see she's alert and, hopefully, doing well. Keep us posted on her progress.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Definitely let us know how Neato is doing later today. I am sure that everything went fine. Waiting to know whether or not the tumor is cancer or not is the hardest part I believe.
Keep us posted on him!

Tracie

 

[beardedneato]

My boss is letting me bring Neato to work with me. Which is great. I would have worried all day.

He is still not at all alert. He will wiggle and open his eyes when I pick him up but I'm concerned. I dont know if it is the pain shot or the anesthesia. I'm going to try to get him to eat before work.

He definitely knows how to make me worry.

 

[Khammy87]

What did they give you for a pain injection? If it's an opiod, that's normal.. If its not, then you may want to consult your veterinarian.

 

[beardedneato]

It was an opiod. The vet called last night and knows I am worried.

He did eat this morning so that was relief. He still will not walk around but sat up really high and ate.

 

[DoubleJ]

I am obviously not an expert,but maybe he is choosing not to move around because,aside from any pain he is feeling, he knows that his balance is a bit off. As that comes back maybe he wll become more active. Just a thought.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great you were able to take Neato to work with you! How nice of your boss to allow that.
How is he doing today?
The opoid is fine, if that is what he was given for paid. It will take awhile for it to wear off fully. If he gets some food into his system, it will help it metabolize a little bit faster. Has he shown any interest in food yet?
It sounds like he is alert & should start moving around a little bit more as he feels more steady on his feet.
Keep us posted on him!

Tracie