An update to Salvador's neuter update

[Sarah Bennett]

So, this is really much more for me to vent than anything else...

Salvador was neutered on January 10th.  On the 13th, I thought he was acting strange and had noticed that he could reach his incision even with his cone on... Well, on the 14th, I took him to the vet and his incision was infected.  They gave him a penicillion shot, a steroid shot, two weeks worth of amoxicillion and a larger cone.  I thought he was doing better, but his incision was not looking great.  Well, when I was taking a shower on Friday, I heard his tags jingling, I looked out and he was licking & messing with his incision!!  Which means that he is messing with his incision when I'm not there...  so, Saturday I was home all day with him and did not see him mess with his incision.  I tried to make a makeshift diaper/wrap type thing, which did not work.  Well, I came to realize that if Salvador's in his crate, he can't move with his cone on, which means he can't get to his incision.  Salvador has not been forced to go into his crate for long periods of time in months.  He hates his crate.  ugh, I feel so bad, but at the same time I feel bad his incision isn't healing up.  When I leave he barks now (which has only been Sunday and Monday), which he never does.  I was talking to a friend who said that it's better to have a dog that's depressed about his environment for awhile and is healed, then to deal with his incision for a long time.  And I agree, but still, my heart breaks having to put him in there... 

Sorry, I guess I just needed to get it out, and well, I thought this was the place.  Thanks for letting me vent a little!

[Debbie & Gibbs]

That's awful, hopefully he will heal more quickly since he can't get to his incision and be released from doggie jail. Sometimes, we just have to crate them to protect them. It won't last long. It's harder on you than on him.

[Miss Ellie]

So sorry you are having to go through this Sarah...before long it will be all healed and this will just be a mere story to tell...get better soon Salvador:)

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

so sorry about the problems after neuter.. but I have to tell u I had a similar issue..So Midas was neutered and he came home hyper and happy as ever I couldn't believe it hadn't affected him at all.. he was acting fine.. so later the next day he rolled over and I saw his sac (sorry to be graphic) was swollen like he had never had his testicles removed... actually even bigger then normal! I called the vet we went in and they said he was probably too active and had a hematoma that formed.. basically a blood clot.. we didn't walk him or anything and we thought we had kept him calm.. I mean he would jump on the bed and stuff but nothing crazy.. so we went home and it was just getting worse and he was feeling better and better as days went by after the surgery that he started running around the yard like a nut... I had to bring him back to vet he was so bruised in the area.. and swollen.. they had to give him Xanax to calm down or else he would need surgery again for the hematoma.. well we tried the Xanax..ONCE..he went more bizirk then ever.. we put him in the crate which he likes.and he was like he was high on speed or something..  scratching and freaking out.. so we called vet and she said if the dose isn't just right if its a little under or over the Xanax can have adverse affects!! so not only had my dog had to be put on Xanax..but it made him MORE HYPER... so we honestly had to resort to leaving him the crate almost 24 hours a day... just out to pee and stuff or when I could watch him 100 % and If he tried to play, back in the crate..i felt horrible..but I had to be mommy and make the decision that he had to be in there for his health.. long story not so short.. the hematoma eventually went away after a few weeks or so and with me using a warm compress... so sorry about ur puppy, but honestly just leave him in the crate and he will heel faster..its for his own good! xoxo good luck

[Sarah Bennett]

Thanks for this.  I know it's for his good, but I do hate it.  But I hate even more that there's something wrong with him.  I know he'll get better, I just want it to be sooner than later, so I know the crate is what's needed.  

[Traz, Karen & Dale]

Vent away, we are here to listen.  We had to get a larger cone for Traz when he was neutered because we knew he could get to the incision with the smaller one that we had.  He still tried to get to it, but since we are both retired, we were able to keep a watchful eye on him.  Traz was not put in his crate during his "cone" times for the reason that you mentioned, he couldn't move around with it on.  I agree with the other posts though ~ if he won't leave the incision alone so it can heal, the only option you have is to put him in his crate when you aren't around to monitor him.  Wishing Salvador a speedy recovery so your life can get back to normal.

[Julie and Max]

I'm so sorry for your neuter problems, it's almost time to take Max and I don't want to with all this I've seen, I know I have to but geeze. :(

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

So sorry for Salvador- but Julie, every dog is different.  Quincy had no big problems and was fine in short order.  Let's hope Salvador is much better soon!  

[K and Racey]

Our roommate had his lab spayed a few months ago while he was still living with us. Poor girl had to be on sedatives until she was healed. The sedatives slowed her WAY down and made her walk like she was drunk. She had to be carried up and down the stairs. I think it was worth it though because otherwise she wouldn't have healed as fast. If he has to be in his crate, maybe you could ask the vet for a sedative to help calm him down and help him relax in there?

[Debbie & Gibbs]

It was mentioned to possible sedate Salvador to help make the crate time a little more tolerable for him. I have a Westie that will get an ear infection and just goes to town scratching on that ear, I will give her 1/2 tablet of Benadryl, I believe it is .25 dosage and it calms her down and she gets back to sleep. Might be better than sedative medication.

[jenn D]

So sad for you both. Hope it heals soon.

[Ona & Buster]

Sorry you had to go through that. I too am about to go through the process with Buster. He is 5 months now so I have a minute to prepare. I think I may just crate him initially for his own protection, because he is a busy body.