Spaying and Stairs...

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Whopper is being spayed on Friday and we are now just wondering how conservative we need to be with the stairs in our townhome. Should we carry her up and down the first day or so even though she's getting a little heavy or try walking her slowly up and down on a leash? How long should we be managing her on the steps? We already bought her one of the special inflatable collars so at least that will eliminate the additional challenge of the long plastic cone.

[Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran]

Walking her slowly up and down should be fine. You just want to keep her fairly quiet and still for a few days. (Good luck with that - doodles aren't known for their calm!)

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

I'm not sure how Whopper is with regard to chewing but my Rosie chewed the stem of the inflatable collar so be sure you put the stem at the top side so she can't get at it. The collar is so much better than the plastic cone. Rosie was quiet for about a day and that back to herself including stairs and jumping up on the bed and furniture. It's hard to keep a doodle down. Speedy recovery to Whopper.

[Janice Bolles]

Hi..I just had our girl spade 3 weeks ago..and our vet said no jumping or running up and down stairs for 10 when stiches come out..but we have a wild child ...I guess the stiches would break open if they are too rough.. I kept her calm for 10 days..wow that wasn't easy...be blessed, Jan

[Janice Bolles]

that was for 10 days.. LOL ..I am still in shock from those 10 days...Jan

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha came out of the vet's office wearing the plastic collar that was the size for a Great Dane! It didn't fit in my SUV so off it came and it didn't go back on. I put a puppy tee shirt on her and she never touched the stitches. I gave her the pain meds for a couple of days and she stayed pretty quiet - she did come upstairs and slept in our room on her bed (no crate).
A piece of advice - it broke my heart not to give her water when she came home and against the advice of the vet I did give her some. Big Mistake - the water didn't stay down very long. Follow your vets advice. Try and keep her quiet - as best as possible, Whopper will let you know what she is ready for. Obviously no marathons but steps??????? Ask your vet.
Good Luck - she will be fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

where did you find an inflatable collar?