08/10/2025
*a photo I took last night of Norman peacefully resting*
Something I’ve had to be quiet about for a while as I am still dealing with it, but I do want to touch on it to explain our situation.
The hospital that preformed Norman’s surgery in December, although successful in many aspects, failed to complete the surgery as planned as things were redirected and it was forgotten about. This has resulted in his prostate welcoming recurring infections and abscesses since then. It was supposed to be omentalized entirely on the left side and it wasn’t. The right side was done upon first issue in August of last year. In hindsight, the entire prostate should have been done. I am grateful for the lifesaving work that was done, but I have been left with making medical decision after decision after decision due to this and it just isn’t fair. But I understand mistakes happen and I am still grateful for the team.
That being said. My regular vet and I have been able to medically manage Norman for the last 10 months via ultrasound rechecks and ultrasound guided needle if needed. While this has worked well and improved his quality of life to, in my opinion, almost perfect for a 12.5 year old dog- the worst nightmare has happened and the multi drug resistant infection is back with a vengeance and an abscess that can only be operated on (I don’t know why or how it came back yet). I had gotten in touch with a world renowned specialist in Ottawa earlier this year as I knew this was a strong possibility due to the failed procedure. So… the plan is to go for a touchdown. We are going to operate on the prostate and completely omentalize it. This should, in theory, stop the problem in its tracks. It likely won’t stop the UTIs as those are a result of his dilute urine due to kidney disease from damage during the previous infection, but it should stop the life threading and sepsis causing abscesses.
This was not a decision that was made lightly. This is the best version of Norman that we are ever going to get and NOW is the time. We simply cannot preform a surgery like this should it happen down the road with either worse circumstances or advanced medical problems due to his age or progress of other diseases. There comes a time where you simply cannot drain it anymore.
Before all of this happened this past we were running around outside, getting up on our own, eating and drinking with ease, bringing toys to play with, going on adventures and living our best lives. All of his medical and holistic team/village know this- so don’t come at me with quality of life pep talks because I ensure my dog’s quality of life before my own. Every day. Always.
I update not for opinions on his care, but because I promised I would and because the support of fellow dog owners is unmatched in the world of grief. You are all special and important to me and I know we walk this hand in hand. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I’m trying to make the right decision with each step for Norman.
Please, keep Norman in your thoughts. We are driving there Wednesday night next week and the procedure will be on Thursday the 16th. This surgeon is the best of the best, the facility is state of the art and frankly, Norman deserves to live his life the way he chooses.
