Scheduled to be neutered

[lvoss]

Nicky didn't need an e-collar when he was neutered but we did have him wear a bite not after his cancer surgery, http://homeandkennel.petedge.com/Bite-Not-Dog-Collar-ZX299.pro

Pat's instructions will make you a much cheaper version but if you are not comfortable with DIY then this is a good alternative. We can't use e-collars with Nicky because he has learned how to chew them off when we are not home to supervise.

[renaultf1]

@Kananga:

The DAP has helped, I wouldn't say it was temporary. It did reduce his anxiety while I was away. The problem that the DAP won't address is his general anxiety out in the open. I had my caretaker watch my dog while I was away Saturday night - Sunday morning, Kananga refused to go outside. He held his bladder for 20 hours :eek: until I got there. He's been acting very strange in the last month or two. That's why I keep thinking there's a dog in heat nearby and that's easily possible with 30-40+ dogs in our hi-rise alone. Regardless, my vet agrees that this may help calm him down, especially during his breeding season. As long as the bloodwork comes back good I think it should be fairly quick and relatively painless for him.

I'll still keep using the DAP until a bit after he recovers. Then see how he does.

Just curious, how long have you had him?

[Kananga]

@renaultf1:

Just curious, how long have you had him?

Little under 7 months.

[agilebasenji]

I'm sure things will go just fine. When I had my old man neutered, he never bothered his stitiches. Just be sure you get the pre-surgery blood workup done.

[renaultf1]

@agilebasenji:

Just be sure you get the pre-surgery blood workup done.

+1 on that!

[tanza]

Here is a picture of Kristii and her DYI e-collar…. She had 40 staples in her belly for surgery to remove a liver tumor... and I totally agree about blood work... and even though he is still very young, it is great to have a base line.

[Kananga]

@agilebasenji:

I'm sure things will go just fine. When I had my old man neutered, he never bothered his stitiches. Just be sure you get the pre-surgery blood workup done.

It's standard procedure with my vet. I requested it regardless to make sure it is done.

[Kananga]

As far as the collar goes, we'll see how he does. He does not wear a normal collar indoors since he absolutely hates wearing one. I do not expect him to like wearing anything else.

Fortunately though, I'm making this weekend a long weekend and will be home with him for 3 days after his surgery.

[Kananga]

@lvoss:

We can't use e-collars with Nicky because he has learned how to chew them off when we are not home to supervise.

That's what I am worried about. When I dropped him off this morning, I told them not to include an e-collar. He's just going to chew it apart anyways. I've got tea tree oil to use if he is interested in chewing at his stitches, any other remedies that are recommended?

[lvoss]

You can tell your vet you will be using a bite not collar instead they usually aren't too insistent if they know you will using something. If he is really determined about his stitches then some sort of collar will be necessary. A huge benefit of the bite not is that it doesn't effect their field of vision so they are much more comfortable in it. Also, they can't chew it while it is on.

[Kananga]

@lvoss:

You can tell your vet you will be using a bite not collar instead they usually aren't too insistent if they know you will using something. If he is really determined about his stitches then some sort of collar will be necessary. A huge benefit of the bite not is that it doesn't effect their field of vision so they are much more comfortable in it. Also, they can't chew it while it is on.

Are these usually available locally or would I need to order one online?

[lvoss]

I had to order mine because the pet stores around here only carried the inflatable ones. I would just make one like Pat's though if you needed one quickly.

[Kananga]

He's already home. They originally told me between 5pm-7pm, but I got a call around 2pm saying he was already awake and ready to go. I warned them about his crate phobia, they figured that out on their own after he destroyed a few towels.

Now he's sleepy and trying to stay awake. He did extremely well and will recover great. No attempts at licking the wound, although he's probably just too tired. Tomorrow will be the test. Thanks again for the tips everyone.

[snorky998]

@Kananga:

He's already home. They originally told me between 5pm-7pm, but I got a call around 2pm saying he was already awake and ready to go. I warned them about his crate phobia, they figured that out on their own after he destroyed a few towels

This made me laugh out loud. I have a mobile vet service so I dropped my Katie at her house for a spay in the morning and Dr. Laurie told me the same, 5-7 pm and she would drop her off at my house. I warned her Katie was mouthy and might drive her cray before that. I also donated a water spray bottle to her vet van in case Kate got really mouthy. She said she doubted Kate would be a problem as the anesthetic left in her system would keep her quiet and sleepy. At 2pm I got the call to come and get my Kate:o and I could hear that sweet little pain-in-the-butt screaming in the background. I could barely hear the vet tech Pat on the phone. I drove a couple of towns over and picked up the post surgery sleepy but still able to vocalize LOUDLY, Kate.

P/S… They still has the spray bottle and they say it's the best non vet item they have in the van.:) It works on all her clients, except Kate:D

Kananga, glad your boy is home and doing well. Enjoy the sleepy afternoon! I never had any problem with licking or chewing when Tyler was neutered. My problem was keeping him from jumping on and off the furniture. The first 2 days or so was no problem as the discomfort discouraged him, but after the first couple of days I had to remind him with a quick sit-stay when I saw him getting ready to jump.

[lvoss]

When Nicky had his cancer surgery in April, I stopped by the vet clinic after lunch to see how he was doing. He was awake and still a little groggy but recognized me and was responsive. The vet told me they wanted to keep him a minimum of 2 more hours and possibly longer before allowing him to come home. I said, OK, I'm going to get a haircut and will try to stay local in case you need me to take him earlier. They insisted it would not be any earlier. 45 minutes later while I was in Borders, I get a call. COME GET NICKY, NOW!!!

I could hear him the minute I opened the door to the clinic. He was digging to China in the crate. They told me I was going to have an awful time since he had been going on and on like that and had already destroyed one e-collar. As soon as he was with me, he settled right down. He got home, I put him in bed, he fell right to sleep next me.

I had warned them when I left him that they wouldn't want to keep him a minute longer than they had to since when he was neutered they had gotten complaints from their neighbors 5 doors down about him.

[tanza]

LOL… glad to hear he is doing well.... on the same note about the Vets.... all the Basenji people that go to our clinic here have an agreement that they promise they will never be more then 20 minutes away in case that call comes to "COME GET YOUR BASENJI"...gggg

[Basenjimamma]

Kananga,

I am so glad to hear that he is doing so swell. Hopefully the next couple of days will fly by and not be hard on him or you. You are staying home for a few days right? I think I read that in another post..that is probably a great thing. I think the worst thing is him trying to jump up on furniture and of course trying to remove his own stitches/staples. Get your rest and keep us updated on how he is doing. Otis is sending his regards…

[Rita Jean]

Happy your baby home safe and sound. Take care both of you.

Rita jean

[renaultf1]

Kananga…glad he's home and he is doing well.

LOL...We all have similar stories...I have to add my Ruby story. When Ruby had her spay, I dropped her off in the morning to have blood work (her spay was in the afternoon). The vet assured me she would need to be there until at least 4pm. I called them at 2pm to see how she did, they said she was out of surgery and was really groggy...just be there at 4pm...no need to come sooner or to call back. 20 minutes later, the vet calls...you need to get here NOW...she just ripped out her I.V. :D:D:D I got there within 20 minutes (normally a 40 minute drive).

[Quercus]

yup…I have a similar story...except it was BEFORE the surgery. I dropped Querk off for his neuter, and about 2 minutes after I got home they called, and said 'uh, how long was his leather leash?...because he pulled it in, and chewed it up, and they were trying to make sure he didn't eat any pieces of it

So glad to hear that he is doing well. Querk didn't bother his stitches AT all...so you may not have much of a recovery to worry about