Kiba blood clot surgery saga summary

[samvara]

• 13 Jan 25 Routine vet exam found mass near spleen, could not do a needle biopsy as in blood rich area and risks rupturing mass > blood draw + ultrasound > implications
  
  • High chance mass will rupture and bleed either slowly or fast enough to kill immediately
  • 100% change mass is affecting stomach, bowels, movement
    • 2/3 chance fatal cancer where surgery would extend life for 1-2 months
    • 1/3 chance benign cancer where surgery would extend life until next growth or for rest of natural life
  • Kiba already on pain management for arthritis, some existing issues with lower back and hind legs
  • Will be 14 in July (estimated lifespan ~14)
• 21 Jan 25 Maia, Jack, & Jess consult eventually agreed to surgery after clarifying recovery should be 2 weeks (not 6 as Jess had feared) and Maia will take leave to care for him post-surgery. While consensus could not be reached Jack eventually said since Jess and Maia had formed a majority view he was willing to agree to surgery. Thank you Jack <3
  
  • Jack preference was for preemptive euthanasia as no more suffering is acceptable
  • Jess preference was for not preemptive euthanasia but not keen on rupture or surgery as want as much life with as much well-being as possible
  • Maia preference was for surgery as 1/3 chance benign cancer, existing health problems managed, and periods of bouncy happiness evident
• 31 Jan 25 Surgery successful and Kiba home recovering by 6:30pm
  • NOT, in fact, cancer, encapsulated blood clot bigger than my fist, some nodes on liver but not of concern
  • Extra room inside Kiba near stomach = small frequent meals and no exercise after to avoid twisting / movement
  • Maia on leave for next week
• 07 Feb 25 Vet check, stitches out but infection developed same day in groin area (hot, inflamed)
  
  • Tests to determine correct antibiotic to use, pause
  • Maia WfH all next week
• 10 Feb 25 Vet check, tests not back, ultrasound showed small amount of fluid not accessible via needle, prescribed 
  
  • Novoclav 500mg 1&1/4 twice daily with food
  • 1:1 diluted betadine wash twice daily (1 tablespoon Betadine + 1 tblspn and a soft cloth was plenty)
• 14 Feb 25 Vet check, infection largely resolved
• 21 Feb 25 Vet check planned