14 Days of R&R - Really?

[Yvonne N]

Astro was neutered yesterday and his release instructions are...please sit down...3 days of confinement or very limited movement and 14 days of taking it very easy, leash walking and wearing a lamp shade. Ha! I think in DoodleWorld this is truly impossible. We have not even made it through the first 12 hours and he has jumped over the gate, jumped on the bed and rolled like a maniac in the grass and tried to chase the cat. REALLY 14 days of the lamp shade? Help!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

HAHA! We had the same problem with Remington.... but he was just fine even though he was still as crazy as ever... just watch the incision and make sure it looks okay at least twice a day. He'll be fine!

[Yvonne N]

Just talked to vet...no jumping!? Guess I should have been more prepared. Back to pick up some sleepy/happy pills.

[Diane]

I was blindsided too by the restrictions when Ringo had his neutering a few weeks ago. I had no idea!! Our vet said 10 days. He only needed the area covered for about two and his healed very well. Someone on Doodlekisses shared the idea of having the dog wear boxer briefs backwards. I think that's much better than the lampshade!

[Yvonne N]

I'm going to WalMart tomorrow to find a pair and give it a try...for when we are home and can supervise. Thanks again.

[Bev and WILLY]

WOW! Willy's vet gave no instructions! He did say he didn't need the collar. I never did anything different than before, other than to examine the stitches often, and they were fine. I was dreading the lamp shade and had checked out alternatives,so was happy when I found out it wasn't needed.
BUT, we know every dog is different, and need different rules. ; )
Astro will probably surprise you and have no problems at all.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hope Astro gets better quicker...What do these Vets think we are sometimes...I know it's for the best of the dog...but 14days is a long time to keep a 4 legged friend down.

[Yvonne N]

I'll be happy if we can make it to the weekend. Smile. Thanks for your well wishes.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Good luck. Gracie could tear out stitches and staples even with the lampshade on! Don't even remember how many times we returned to the vet, almost daily. Just watch him. Some are seriously into destroying the incision. With Grace, we could not restrain her, tried 3 tranquilizers and pain pills till an antidepressant medicine for obsessive/compulsive disorders worked. If you are lucky, it won't bother him much. It's usually easier on the boys. Just don't leave him unattended unless he is crated, don't encourage any play or jumping, crate him alot, and count the minutes!!! I agree with the rest that he will be just fine.

[Doris]

Bodi needed the lampshade as he had pulled out stitches before leaving the vet's office! We took the lampshade OFF when we were spending time with him and were able to pay attention. It was def on while we were sleeping and at work. Bodi was a lapdog for 2 days and then was back to his crazy self. Just don't initiate the jumping or rough play. He will stop if it hurts. It really won't last that long!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Great - sounds like I have a lot to look forward to with Peri getting spayed on September 18. Good luck Yvonne!!!

[Yvonne N]

I wish I had asked the vet to keep him for the first night. We went out eight times! Ugh. He is feeling just fine and now with his "happy" pills he is resting again. Hopefully tonight will be more restful. Vet said stiches may make him feel like he has to go potty. Double Ugh. If he only fit in his crate this would be much easier. MOOSE.

[Yvonne N]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. He is obviously no worse off than prior to surgery with his silly doodle behavior. Just don't want to aggrivate the healing. Love seeing a lamp shade wearing doodle trying to catch his feline brother. I think Smudge is back on top of the world for the next 14 days. Smiles!