“Yes, and we have four pups out, all healthy, breathing, and looking good.”
“Any problems?”
“The pups were coming out every ten minutes, but it’s been thirty minutes. Shadow is definitely not comfortable, and she’s concerned.”
“You have a blockage. I can come over, but it will be better if you take care of it yourself.”
“Can you walk me through it?”
“You’re going to enlarge the opening by an inch and a half. You’ll first deaden where you’ll make the incision, then several minutes later you’ll make the cut. Do you have Novocain and a sterile scalpel?”
“Yes, in the kit you gave me.”
“After the incision, wearing a plastic glove, you’ll reach inside and find the problem, most likely a pup. He or she may or may not be alive. Either way, you need to remove that pup. Hopefully, it’s just one that’s not cooperating. Got that?”
“Yes.”
“Would you like for me to come over?”
“I’ve seen you do this before. I think I can do it. Can you stay on the line in case I have questions?”
“Of course.”
As Molly was preparing the syringe, Vivian asked, “Is the pup’s father there?”
“Yes, Bear is here with his owner, Bart.”
“Hello, Bart.”
“Hi Doc.”
“Bear isn’t going to like you hurting Shadow. He won’t like the shot or the incision, so Bart needs to reassure Bear that everything is okay. If Bart signals to Bear that all is okay, Bear should accept that. So, Bart, that’s your assignment.”
“Got it.”
Bart wrapped his arm around Bear and pulled him close for a hug, whispering in a gentle soothing voice, “Everything’s okay, boy. Just going to do a little procedure here. Shadow’s just fine. We’re going to stay real calm.”
Molly had the syringe ready. She showed it to Bear and said reassuringly, “Shadow’s going to be just fine.”
While Bart held Bear steady, Molly moved the syringe into place and gave Shadow two shots where she planned the incision. “Good girl, Shadow. Good girl. There, that’s all. Now, we’ll wait just a minute so this won’t hurt.”
Molly took a deep breath. This was stressful. Vet techs didn’t do surgery. That was for the veterinarian, but she’d seen Vivian do this many times, and she had Vivian on the line.
Vivian asked, “How’s it going?”
“I administered two shots. Bear is attentive but holding back. Shadow is trusting me to do what needs to be done. She knows there’s a problem. And, me, well, I’m a wreck.”
Vivian chuckled. “The incision is simple. Just make a clean, straight cut about an inch and a half. After you’ve made the incision, separate the opening with your hand.”
“Okay, here goes.”
Molly’s heart was pounding, but she was focused. She needed to get this done for Shadow. She was worried about the pups and she wanted them out. Holding the scalpel as steady as she could, she made one slow, careful cut.
“Okay, I’ve made the incision.”
“If you reach inside, you should find the obstruction, most likely a weak or deceased pup.”
Taking a deep breath, Molly said to Shadow, “Okay, girl, hold steady. We’re going to help these pups get out.”
