Before getting Miss B and Mr. C spayed and neutered respectively, we did quite a bit of reading on Google to find out what we could expect during their recovery. The internet told us all kinds of horror stories about how they were going to be groggy and probably have no control over their bladders for a couple of days. Nothing we read about on Google really applied. They were not really groggy when we brought them home- only a little tired. They are normally high energy, and the evening after the surgery they were more like normal (non high) energy dogs. The next morning though, they were pretty much back to normal. There were no losses of bladder function or anything like that.
What Google did not prepare us for was how hard it is to keep the cones of shame on and how determined our dogs would be to mess with their incisions- especially Mr. C. The vet gave us a heads up that we would have to watch him closely because boy dogs have more of a tendency to lick their nether regions, and he was right.
As is turns out, both of our big puppies are escape artists when they want to be. We tried the Kong inflatable collars first. Those lasted about a day and a half. Next we went to the cones of shame. By the end of the week, Miss B's was mostly duck tape and was only being held in place by one set of clasps instead of two. Mom went to the Petco near her office on her way home the first day to find a better solution for Mr. C, and the cashier recommended using toddler diapers with tape on the sides. He didn't like it too much, but it was better than the cone. So for the next few days, he alternated between the diapers in the evening and at night, and the cone during the day.
A note about the cones of shame: they are a pain in the behind. I think we hated them as much as the dogs did. The cones are wider than they are and they bumped into everything! Legs, window blinds, little puppies, each other, the door of the crate... everything. I know they serve a purpose, and it is better than going back to the vet with stitches that have been torn open, but I can honestly say that we almost threw a party when it was time for the cones to come off.
What Google did not prepare us for was how hard it is to keep the cones of shame on and how determined our dogs would be to mess with their incisions- especially Mr. C. The vet gave us a heads up that we would have to watch him closely because boy dogs have more of a tendency to lick their nether regions, and he was right.
As is turns out, both of our big puppies are escape artists when they want to be. We tried the Kong inflatable collars first. Those lasted about a day and a half. Next we went to the cones of shame. By the end of the week, Miss B's was mostly duck tape and was only being held in place by one set of clasps instead of two. Mom went to the Petco near her office on her way home the first day to find a better solution for Mr. C, and the cashier recommended using toddler diapers with tape on the sides. He didn't like it too much, but it was better than the cone. So for the next few days, he alternated between the diapers in the evening and at night, and the cone during the day.
A note about the cones of shame: they are a pain in the behind. I think we hated them as much as the dogs did. The cones are wider than they are and they bumped into everything! Legs, window blinds, little puppies, each other, the door of the crate... everything. I know they serve a purpose, and it is better than going back to the vet with stitches that have been torn open, but I can honestly say that we almost threw a party when it was time for the cones to come off.
Mr. C making a fashion statement with his diaper, staring longingly outside wishing he could run and play like normal.
One thing we have noticed since their attitude adjustment is that they are both a little more mellow. Miss B has been playing with the littles more, but in a more relaxed and natural play mood- not the jealous, dominant way they were doing before. Mr. C is still trying to be dominant, but he is also playing a little more and is more relaxed with them sometimes- except when he goes into hyper puppy mode.
When it was time to take the cones off, everybody was happy and Dad got kisses from all of the dogs. At the same time.
When it was time to take the cones off, everybody was happy and Dad got kisses from all of the dogs. At the same time.
Group kisses!
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