The senior equine surgeon at Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital, Dr. Claude Ragle, called this afternoon with some great news -- he performed Brynn's surgery today and said he was "very happy" with how it went! The operation, called a urethral extension, should fix our little blind girl's leaky plumbing that has left urine scalds all over her backside and thighs and down her legs. Dr. Ragle cautioned, however, that it would be two weeks before we'd know for sure whether the surgery was a complete success, although we'd have a pretty good idea within a week if she was "springing any leaks."
So we have to be careful not to get our hopes up too much in the meantime. Because of her small size (she's only 8 months old) and her abnormal plumbing, Brynn is not a typical urethral extension case. Moreover, Dr. Ragle is now pretty certain that after two ultrasounds it appears Brynn's right kidney is no longer functioning, so we can't afford to have anything go wrong with her remaining kidney.
But overall Dr. Ragle was pleased with how the surgery itself went, and I think we can allow ourselves to be cautiously optimistic at this point. Brynn has been in the hospital at WSU for three weeks, and we're anxious to get our girl home.
To everyone who contributed to our special surgery fund for her, THANK YOU for making this new day for Brynn possible!
I'm so happy Brynn's surgery went well! That's a big part of the battle behind sweet Brynn and now she can let her body heal and look forward to lots of love when she gets home!
Posted by: Leilani | February 26, 2007 at 07:47 AM
We're so glad that Brynn's surgery is over! Now, we're being "cautiously optimistic", as someone very wise advised. Heal, Brynn, although that's usually a dog command, we mean h-e-a-l!
Hugs to all,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | February 23, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Such great news!!! I am sure that Bryn is also anxious to get home! When will she be released from the medical centre?
Posted by: Nina | February 23, 2007 at 12:01 PM
AWESOME!!! Hope everything turns out okay. She is one special girl!!
Posted by: Laura Whale | February 22, 2007 at 10:50 PM