After neutering malaise

[Theresa Nieman]

Some advice please? Poor Dexter had his neutering yesterday about noon. The vet said he was "highly vascular" in the scrotal area so he would likely have some post surgical inflammation. He recommended (and we are doing do) pain/anti-inflammatories for 6 days.

As expected, he was groggy but pleasant yesterday after he got home about 3:30 pm. He didn't seem to be bothering his stitches so we let him stay in his kennel overnight, although I went to bed really late (after 12:30 am) and my husband got him up earlier today (6:30 am). He got his pain pill this morning but boy he really isn't too much like himself yet. We put on some atrociously bad teenage boy underwear to keep him away from the stitches and although it is working I suspect he is plotting to strangle me in my sleep because of them! (ha)

Question: He really doesn't have much of an appetite (but is eating snacks I give him by hand), has horrific flatulence, and just is "off" still even though we are talking day 2 here. He is now voluntarily gone to his nighttime kennel (which he never does normally).

This sound familiar to anyone from their experiences? I guess I just need some reassurance :D The pain pill he is taking is Previcox 227 mg 1/2 tablet.

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am betting the pain pill is making him extra groggy and that combined with the fact that he feels differently is making him feel off. I think this all sounds normal to me. I think with any kind of surgery it just takes time to get back to normal and that includes appetite. It really is better if he is just laying around and in a couple of days I bet he will start to feel better. If you continue to feel things are not going well, give your vet a call.

[Theresa Nieman]

This is what I suspected too but having someone else tell me is reassuring :)  thanks!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I HATED when my dogs were spayed or neutered. I know it is necessary, but I still felt sorry for them!! I hope Dexter feels better soon!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Loss of appetite and lethargy as well as changes in bowel and bladder habits are common side effects with Previcox. It can also cause stomachache or discomfort. It's a pretty heavy-duty NSAID. 

http://www.pet360.com/product/rx229/previcox-firocoxib

I sure hope he feels better soon. :(

[Theresa Nieman]

The vet said to give him half a tablet once a day in the morning but I'm thinking tomorrow I'll just give him 1/4 a tablet but twice a day.  I already know he has a sensitive stomach in that we have to be careful what we feed him.  For myself, I can be a bit prone to side effects too so halving the dose helps me a lot too.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I had a standard poodle that acted like Dexter.  It took a week for him to get back to "normal".  I hope Dexter feels better soon.  Love your creativity and the photo!

[Theresa Nieman]

Well, apparently I am a worry mommy for nothing.  Dexter wore his t-shirt neuter diaper (should I go on Shark Tank with my own brand?? LOL) overnight but we washed it and haven't had to put it back on all day.  He's back to 100% of his old self, silly, happy, energetic.  Only occassionally wanting to lick but we just remind him NO NO and he's like oh okay, that's right, where's my Nylabone?  The incision looks much less red than even yesterday and it doesn't seem to hurt him at all.

thanks for the hand holding and hugs from you guys here!  Such a warm supportive group!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad he's feeling better! Thanks for the update. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so glad to read this about Dexter. It is hard not to worry about our dogs. 

[Erin]

What is the tshirt diaper?

[Theresa Nieman]

Rather than use the cone of shame, it was suggested to use a small t-shirt to cover his neutering site. You put it on kinda backwards, with the tail going through the head hole on the t-shirt and then back legs through the arm holes. I then cinched the bottom of the shirt about the smallest part of his midsection and twisted it (remember how girls twist the front of their t-shirts to make them shorter?). Once it was twisted snugly, I doubled it over and used a rubber band to secure it tight (the knot). Lastly, I tucked the knot under the t-shirt so as to not provide something to play with!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My guess is that it is the pain pills. Dogs have a pretty high pain threshold.  You might see how he does without a dose or half a dose.