Stella is getting spayed next week, any good advice to offer?

[Katrine]

We've been told that she has to wear the cone for TWO weeks... I've also heard that she can't be around un-neutered dogs for two weeks as well so the dog park and daycare are out. Any suggestions on how to burn her energy and keep her occupied indoors? Sadly we don't have a yard... Any help would be appreciated! 

[Tricia]

Tell me more about this t-shirt. Please.... Sounds better than the cone for sure. Thanks :)

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

Well I talked to my vet and it was confirmed. Limited activity for 2 weeks. The tech stressed that the first 7 days is key so that everything heals properly. After that she can begin to become more active.

As for the shirt, I have read that many put a child's shirt on the dog and tie it in a tight knot at the bottom. But I have also read that the shirt rolls up making it useless. My idea is a tank top but wearing it backwards. The head hole around her bottom and tail, hind legs in the arm holes and then either knotting it at the top or cut holes for the front legs. I amd going to have to experiment.

Another suggestion was to loosely wrap the abdomen with an ace bandage to cover the stitches.

No matter what I do, I think I am more nervous than my Abby.

[Katrine]

I was thinking about something like this: http://bit.ly/H7OM3h

Not sure if it will cover up the stitches though...

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

Oh and no on stairs. I will have to carry her for at least the first week. Week 2 will depend on her hyperactivity. If she is hyper and wants to run, I will have to carry her.

[Linda K Gregory]

Sorry guys the Thunder shirt will not work.  It will not cover the sutures.  Has anyone thought about using a "Onesie"?  You can find them in 18 months I believe and that might fit.  Snaps in the crotch.  You can fix a place for the tail and unsnap, roll it up some when taken outside for potty time.  When it is time for Moneypenny I plan to be in the operating room and take her home afterwards.  I am going to use the ace wrap and she will be in her crate where ever I am.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Kyoko has a photo somewhere around here showing her dog after a spay. Yes, they work great

[Linda K Gregory]

I went to her site and went thru her photos and found "Charlie" wearing the Onesie.  It seems to work well.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

If you get a chance post it in here. It comes out often ( the picture ) and gets posted.  Kyoko won't mind.

Really though, we never used anything.  Our girl never really bothered much.  In 5 days, she was up and playing

[Katrine]

Thanks Joanne! Stella's nickname is 'scratch-and-sniff' :) Plus she's like a wind up toy that never gets unwound... That said, we'll cover all the suggestions and hope for the best! 

[Bella]

Well Bella was spayed yesterday. She is great; was very dopey last night because of the meds and is a bit slow this morning. She was licking the incision when she got up this morning but this has seemed to stop it for the time being. What the vet suggested that seems to be working brilliantly this morning is spraying a bit of "bitter apple" on her tummy. I thought it would sting but nothing so far.

No cone by the way. the vet sent her home without it and said we will only use it if she is licking incessantly. My husband is carrying up and down the deck stairs to go out as no stairs.

[Linda K Gregory]

Glad Bella is doing so well.

Never thought of "Bitter Apple" and none of my Vets have ever mentioned it. (My Vet is in a clinic of 5 vets and they are all related).  We conti. to learn a lot from each other. :)

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

Well I dropped Abby off to be spayed this morning. I know it is for the best and she was happy being there, but I felt so bad leaving her. I am also a bit sad they are going to have to shave part of the hair on one of her front legs. I don't mind them shaving the tummy. I will let everyone know how it goes over the next few days. They are sending me home with a cone and told me no activity or stairs for at least 7 days so the incision can heal. Ugh, today is going to be a day full of anxiety and worry. :(