Notes on a Neutering - day one post surgery

[Sandy]

First of all - the t-shirt works well! The cone, not so much. Toby was moaning and groaning and miserable in the cone. A t-shirt (muscle shirt type) is spectacular, and all he needs, at least at this point. Secondly - Toby is finding out of the way spots to sleep today. He spent two hours sleeping in the bathroom on the ceramic floor, where it's cool, and now made his way into his crate. I guess he realized he needs to sleep it off. Thirdly - my poor baby smells like surgery, and I don't know what to do about it. Bleck - 10 days of that smell.

I've been able to get him to eat and drink (or eat ice cubes). He's only eaten a little, but that's enough for now. As long as he keeps taking in liquids, and eating a little, I think he'll be fine. One day down, nine to go......nine LONG days.

[Sandy]

Keeping him still is already becoming an issue. He's a little more himself already - although I figure he's restraining himself quite well. He tried to jump at the back door once today, and was so excited to see my Mom that he tried to jump up. We've been in the backyard on a leash about 19 times today.....perhaps an exaggeration, but you know what I mean. And every time, t-shirt off, back in, t-shirt on. "sigh" 10 days of this.....

[Adrianne Matzkin]

glad to hear both are doing better. each day will be a little better. Those wipes are fantastic! Clothespin on the nose if all esle fails. Remember it is not forever!!!!!

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

He'll be so much more normal in a day or 2 (in terms of eating and wanting to play)...at least we found that with our doodles.

In case you want some advice :) our vet told us that leashed walks were totally fine so we took Dexter on at least 2 per day while he was recovering. We also played very controlled fetch with Dexter about 4 days post-op (in our very tiny basement and we didn't let him get too excited). We also gave him Kongs filled with treats to keep him occupied :)

I could never tell our vet this, but when we got Kirby neutered he and Dexter were wrestling 4 days later - our vet would have a cow, but it became impossible to keep them calm once Kirby felt better which took just a few days.

[Sandy]

Toby is definitely feeling better today, but he is either embarassed by the t-shirt, or just wanting to lay down, because he will come see us, and hurry back to go lay down somewhere. I'm actually wondering if the shaving is bothering him more than the stitches - he seems itchy.

I have a week and a day before the stitches come out, and he's already getting a little jumpy and playful. Yikes. His appetite is still down, but I know that will come. Because he was a "crypt" he has two incisions, so I imagine he might recover a little more slowly.....but then again, maybe not.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Can you try keeping the tee shirt off when he is sitting with you? You could always put it back on if starts to lick around the stitches. He may ignore the stitches all together - Samantha did.
Try a little baby powder where he itches from the shaving. Just be careful he doesn't decide to lick it since it smells so good.
Almost 2 days gone!!!

[Sandy]

Thing is - he keeps going to lay down in either the bathroom or his crate - so I can't keep track of him well enough to leave him uncovered.

[Sandy]

He doesn't seem to have any interest in the new bone I gave him today. Maybe tomorrow. The last bully sticks I bought bothered his stomach when he had one, so I don't dare give him another, especially now.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Hi Sandy, I just looked at your pic of Toby with the T shirt on-great idea. As we have discusssed in the past, Thomas my 5 1/2 week GD is getting "done" in two weeks. Did Toby stay overnight at the vet? Our vet is going to keep Thomas overnight-they never did with our late dog "Buddy". He came home as if nothing had happened. No prblem whatsover. I was hoping for the same experience. Maybe not. I am worried now. Toby is doing well though, right? The poor guy and to think we were complaining about them. Give him a big hug from Thomas in Toronto.

[Sandy]

Toby did not stay overnight, but the vet we use is open 24/7, so if we had any trouble, we could call and get help. Toby is doing well, yes, I just wasn't ready for it. It is difficult keeping him appeased without letting him run in the yard - we have dogs on either side of us, and they keep barking for him to come out! I have to leash walk him in the yard, so we've been in and out a LOT. This evening I have left the t-shirt off all evening, and he's much, much happier. I'll put it on again overnight, and hope he leaves it on. A week tomorrow, and then we can relax.

He will get a hug from Thomas!