Bully screaming after surgery - very worried

[Hapalochlaena]

Tl:Dr
1 yr old bulldog was spayed and had soft palate surgery 3 days ago. She has some wet throat noises. Vet thinks she’s stable but she is having yelping/screaming episodes if we are close or touch her particular when we want to move her. Nothing seems sensitive that we can see (see the video). And shortly after she wiggling her tail. Not sure just worried.

Full story:
Hi everyone,

I’m here to share what’s been going on with Myrtle, my 1-year-old bulldog (born 10/29/2023), and to see if anyone has experienced something similar or has advice. It’s been a rollercoaster the past few days, and I’m hoping to learn from others who’ve been in the same boat. I also recorded a video of her yelping that I’ll share if anyone thinks it might help figure out what’s going on.

The Backstory

On Thursday, Myrtle went in for a laparoscopic ovariectomy and soft palate surgery (staphylectomy). Our vet said she was a low-risk candidate for both procedures, and the surgery itself went smoothly. She woke up fine and came home with her prescribed meds: Rimadyl (for pain), Gabapentin, and Trazodone (to keep her calm if needed).

Friday was mostly uneventful. She seemed a little too playful, so I gave her a low dose of Trazodone to keep her from overdoing it. That night, though, she threw up her softened food, and later we noticed what sounded like a phlegmy, wet cough, almost like she was clearing her throat.

Saturday and Sunday: Concern Builds

Saturday was a sleepy day for her, likely from the meds, but nothing else stood out. By Sunday, her energy was lower than usual, and we started worrying the wet cough might be turning into pneumonia. Off to the ER vet we went. They did an X-ray and found a tiny spot on her lung, but said all her other vitals looked good. To be safe, they started her on Clavamox as a preventative.

That’s when things got more complicated. During her ER visit, we also learned her creatinine levels were elevated. This surprised us since her urine looked fine, with no protein or discoloration. The vet suspected it might be an acute kidney injury, possibly from dehydration or Rimadyl. They gave her fluids and sent us home. She seemed stable enough to sleep.

But late that night, Myrtle woke up yelping. She wasn’t moving much, breathing fast, and the yelps seemed to come out of nowhere—even when we weren’t touching her. It was heartbreaking to watch and totally out of character for her.

Monday: No Answers, More Questions

By Monday, the random yelping episodes continued. It’s not constant, but it happens enough to worry us. We rushed her back to the ER. Once again, her vitals came back normal, but they decided to take her off Rimadyl (just in case) and put her on Codeine instead. They also gave her Cerenia for nausea, though she hasn’t been vomiting again.

Now we’re home, but she’s still yelping randomly, even when she’s just lying there. It doesn’t seem like it’s related to movement, and she’s not favoring any specific area. We’re at a loss.

The Video

I’ve got a video of one of her yelping episodes. If you’ve experienced anything like this, I’d love for you to take a look and let me know your thoughts. Is this pain, fear, or something else? Could it be post-op discomfort from the surgeries or a reaction to one of her medications?

Looking for Advice

Has anyone seen something similar with their bulldogs after surgery, especially soft palate corrections? Could the cough be related to the intubation or something more serious like pneumonia? And what about the yelping—has anyone had a dog that randomly cried out in pain but seemed fine otherwise?

I just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to help Myrtle recover and get back to her normal self. Any advice or shared experiences would mean the world to me. Thank you!

 

[helsonwheels]

So sorry you have to go through this. I don’t have experience but will tag some members who might. Great idea taking her back to the vet especially when you’re not sure.

@oscarmayer @2BullyMama @Manydogs

 

[Manydogs]

Hapalochlaena​

I have over the years whom many dogs whom had surgeries. All having been spayed or castrated, or a couple more serious surgeries. None of them were squealing after coming home. Have they checked her stitches? Maybe they are tight and pull when she moves? I can't think of something else,unless GOD forbid, they left a tool inside(which has happened to humans!) I have had stitches and sometimes they pull when you move around. ??

 

[helsonwheels]

Hapalochlaena​

I have over the years whom many dogs whom had surgeries. All having been spayed or castrated, or a couple more serious surgeries. None of them were squealing after coming home. Have they checked her stitches? Maybe they are tight and pull when she moves? I can't think of something else,unless GOD forbid, they left a tool inside(which has happened to humans!) I have had stitches and sometimes they pull when you move around. ??

I was thinking the same they left a swab or something. How many times we’ve seen n heard of that in humans. Hopefully we are wrong.

 

[2BullyMama]

Poor girl and you! Based on video that is full on pain… you are right to be concerned something isn’t right. Bulldog have a high pain tolerance so whatever it is the meds aren’t helping. Lynn might be on to something… check stitches and ask for an ultrasound or X-ray of the surgical area.

Sending healing prayers

 

[Manydogs]

I agree x-ray. If she is still reacting with pain!

 

[2BullyMama]

Tl:Dr
1 yr old bulldog was spayed and had soft palate surgery 3 days ago. She has some wet throat noises. Vet thinks she’s stable but she is having yelping/screaming episodes if we are close or touch her particular when we want to move her. Nothing seems sensitive that we can see (see the video). And shortly after she wiggling her tail. Not sure just worried.

Full story:
Hi everyone,

I’m here to share what’s been going on with Myrtle, my 1-year-old bulldog (born 10/29/2023), and to see if anyone has experienced something similar or has advice. It’s been a rollercoaster the past few days, and I’m hoping to learn from others who’ve been in the same boat. I also recorded a video of her yelping that I’ll share if anyone thinks it might help figure out what’s going on.

The Backstory

On Thursday, Myrtle went in for a laparoscopic ovariectomy and soft palate surgery (staphylectomy). Our vet said she was a low-risk candidate for both procedures, and the surgery itself went smoothly. She woke up fine and came home with her prescribed meds: Rimadyl (for pain), Gabapentin, and Trazodone (to keep her calm if needed).

Friday was mostly uneventful. She seemed a little too playful, so I gave her a low dose of Trazodone to keep her from overdoing it. That night, though, she threw up her softened food, and later we noticed what sounded like a phlegmy, wet cough, almost like she was clearing her throat.

Saturday and Sunday: Concern Builds

Saturday was a sleepy day for her, likely from the meds, but nothing else stood out. By Sunday, her energy was lower than usual, and we started worrying the wet cough might be turning into pneumonia. Off to the ER vet we went. They did an X-ray and found a tiny spot on her lung, but said all her other vitals looked good. To be safe, they started her on Clavamox as a preventative.

That’s when things got more complicated. During her ER visit, we also learned her creatinine levels were elevated. This surprised us since her urine looked fine, with no protein or discoloration. The vet suspected it might be an acute kidney injury, possibly from dehydration or Rimadyl. They gave her fluids and sent us home. She seemed stable enough to sleep.

But late that night, Myrtle woke up yelping. She wasn’t moving much, breathing fast, and the yelps seemed to come out of nowhere—even when we weren’t touching her. It was heartbreaking to watch and totally out of character for her.

Monday: No Answers, More Questions

By Monday, the random yelping episodes continued. It’s not constant, but it happens enough to worry us. We rushed her back to the ER. Once again, her vitals came back normal, but they decided to take her off Rimadyl (just in case) and put her on Codeine instead. They also gave her Cerenia for nausea, though she hasn’t been vomiting again.

Now we’re home, but she’s still yelping randomly, even when she’s just lying there. It doesn’t seem like it’s related to movement, and she’s not favoring any specific area. We’re at a loss.

The Video

I’ve got a video of one of her yelping episodes. If you’ve experienced anything like this, I’d love for you to take a look and let me know your thoughts. Is this pain, fear, or something else? Could it be post-op discomfort from the surgeries or a reaction to one of her medications?

Looking for Advice

Has anyone seen something similar with their bulldogs after surgery, especially soft palate corrections? Could the cough be related to the intubation or something more serious like pneumonia? And what about the yelping—has anyone had a dog that randomly cried out in pain but seemed fine otherwise?

I just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to help Myrtle recover and get back to her normal self. Any advice or shared experiences would mean the world to me. Thank you!

Any update?