Spay & Gastropexy Surgery - After Care Advice?

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

So my baby girl goes in this week for the double surgery, I'm just reaching out for feedback/advice on aftercare.  I know the gastropexy is much more invasive than the spay and I know I'll get a checklist of things to do from the vet when I pick her up but looking for feedback from those who have already been through it (hits, misses, things to watch for, etc).  I'm just real nervous for her, she's my odd little wild child so I'm concerned about her plus the surgery facility is not local so any issues will fall on my vet and/or at an emergency facility. The more I know the better prepared I'll be. This poor girl had a rough start in the beginning so I want to make this as easy on her as possible.

It's been a while since my other two were spayed and neither had any interest in the stitches luckily but Sassy was extremely hyper (spastic) the week following her surgery so keeping her calm was a real challenge.  I'll be home with her the first few days then will do a tag team with my daughter.

Any advice on keeping her from the stitches if it poses a problem, resuming her normal diet (vet office briefly mentioned transitioning slowly back to kibble), walking, stairs, downtime, etc.

Thanks in advance

Jolene and Miss Maisie

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

Day 2 post surgery and she's doing well but getting more and more rambunctious, can I give her benadryl to quiet her down? If so, isn't it 1 mg per pound? If not what do you recommend to get us through the next 2 weeks? 

We've been cone free so far, we created a dress for her from one of moms old nightgowns, so far so good.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

Karen second question, can I resume the EPO and Proviable or should I wait till she's eating full meals again. Right now she's on wet only for 5 days served several times a day then adding kibble gradually till she's back to her normal servings at the end of two weeks. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don;t know of any reason not to give EPO or Proviable based on what kind of food she's eating or how much food she's eating. Should be fine.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

Wasn't sure, thank you

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I personally would not give her Benadryl just for the purposes of keeping her sleepy. Antihistamines also have other side effects that might not be great for her post-op. 

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

Any suggestions, we had to crate her she was getting too wild and is the instigator? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, there are drugs that some vets send home with the dog after surgery for the purpose of keeping them tranquilized, so you might talk to the vet about that. Benadryl is not really meant to be used that way. Among other side effects, it has an effect on mucus membranes and will also cause dry mouth and increased thirst, none of which seem good for a dog recovering from surgery.

I don't think keeping her in a crate or an X pen is a bad idea. That's what people have to do with their dogs after things like knee surgery. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My vet always prescribes a pain killer for the first couple of days post surgery and it really helps to keep them quiet.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

She got pain meds as well but she's only supposed to take a fourth of a very small pill to begin with?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When Gordie had CCL surgery we kept him confined to a small hallway that we ex-penned off on one side.  The area was about 6' by 3'.  This kept any roughhousing with the other dogs from happening.  You could do something similar or take an ex-pen or two to block off an area.  Then he graduated to sitting by us on leash.  His recovery was for longer than 2 weeks.....

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

She's confined to the family room only with no kitchen access, we may have to go smaller? Tried crating and she went nuts, not sure what we are gonna do tomorrow during the two hours from when Kirstie goes to work and I get home? Ugh. She clearly feels fine, which is good and bad. Then to make things even more fun Josie has been vomiting frothy yellow bile all day, so feeding three different meals to each of them,  Josie didn't seem very interested in the chicken and rice? No clue what brought this on.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We kept Riley tethered to the dining table when I was home during her recovery, in the crate otherwise.  She was pretty calm though just bored.  

Have you tried giving her a new safe chew toy while she is crated? I got Riley a nice new antler and bully stick for her spay and they kept her occupied when I couldn't supervise.