Any post spaying tips?

[Shari Becker]

Lexi was spayed on Monday, and while surgery went well, she's been emotionally distressed since we brought her home. The vet's office told us that she didn't come out of anesthesia super well, and that she cried and cried all day - that someone had to sit with her constantly. They told us it could take 48 hours to pass, which should be mid-way through today. The vet also said doodles are particularly sensitive and aware animals, and that her complaining is more likely emotional than physical.

Still in a day and a half, she has escaped from two different cones, she is scratching her sides until they are raw and pink, she has cried off and on all night for two nights, despite even putting her in bed with us. AND, she has these bursts of energy between pain killers when she races around the house jumping on and off furniture and banging her head into things trying to escape from the cone. She has even figured out how to use one cone to scratch her stitches. When we take her outside to go to the bathroom, she tries to race around the yard and only wants to dig frantically in the snow. I've been letting her dig because it seems like a good way to expend some of this nervous energy. We are afraid to leave her alone for a minute because she gets so frenetic. I'm afraid she's going to pull her stitches out...

The vet gave us sedatives, but said we should try not to use them until after the pain meds end after five days. She said Lexi will definitely need them to sleep and chill out at home. 

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to calm this miserable little pup? Any ideas how to stop her from scratching her belly raw?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Awwww......good to hear. Watching these guys in discomfort is so hard. Here's hoping she has smooth healing from here on.