Re: D-day How's sweet Chepi been today??? I hope you both got some rest last night...and that she is starting to feel more like her regular self!
Re: D-day I slept with Chepi on Monday night - well she slept but I didn't get a lot. I brought my duvet down and laid half of it on the floor next to the sofa and half on the sofa. So She got snuggly on the floor but ended up with most of it while I had a little corner triangle duvet that covered one arm, half a chest and the top of one leg. I didn't want to wake her so laid there a bit cold all night. She still hadn't had water by the morning after so I was a bit worried but she eventually had a drink around lunch time. Since then she has been getting brighter and bouncier and wearing me out! It's like having a toddler. She's stretched out snoozing next to me. It's handy that she likes lying on her back as I can check her stitches often. Checkup tomorrow. I am only using her blow up collar when I am not with her which is really only last night so far as she hasn't touched her stitches. I gave her a gently tummy rub avoiding her stitches but her nipple bled! I think it must have been nicked when they shaved her. That annoys me as that was avoidable. Having said that, the nurses have phoned to check on her and were helpful when I called because she wasn't drinking. I still feel that the op is a big deal and a very significant thing. I expect I shall be over it by next week : Ahh - she's snoring
Re: D-day You are a very kind doggy mummy, letting her have the duvet I'm glad she's on the mend. A teaspoon of Manuka honey mixed in their water is great for getting them drinking when they don't feel like it.
Re: D-day Glad that the worst is over now Jane , Sam cried terribly after GA too, horrible isn't it ? It will all soon be a dim and distant memory x
Re: D-day Nice tip about the honey! Just took her back a day early as I thought her stitches looked a bit angry and I spotted a wet looking patch. She was so upset and very stressed at the vets'. The nurse then said she'd go and get a slip rope to take her out the back and get another nurse to help. I said no, she was too distressed and insisted we take a few minutes and try again in the exam room. Which we did and her stitches were checked (ok said the nurse - although pink). I am now worried about going back on day ten. If they want to take her out the back and she's upset then I'll be saying no again. At which point I suppose I could ask to see the vet, although he's very busy as everyone asks for him. This morning, while she was lying on her back I very gently gave her a tummy rub, avoiding the stitches, I touched one of her nipples with the back of my hand and it started bleeding! I asked the nurse tonight if she could have been nicked when being shaved and she just matter of factly said yes - no apology or any sign of that being unfortunate. It doesn't take much to say: "Oh sorry, let me have a look". I just have to be positive but in control; it's ok to say "no, that's not what I want".
Re: D-day I do feel for you Jane , I hate confrontation , but you simply must insist that things are done how you want them to be , no reason why she cant be seen with you in tend days time . Sorry to hear about the nipple, poor girl
Re: D-day Make an appointment with the vet for her day ten check up, that's what they are there for. Do it tomorrow, so that you are not worrying. Both mine saw their vets for it - I wouldn't expect anything else.
Re: D-day Hi Jane, Long time no speak- seems I have a few months to catch up with! I hope Chepi is feeling better after her op? Did she have a traditional or keyhole spay? Nellie is just coming to the end of her first season so we have to make a decision which procedure to chose. Our normal vets do not offer the keyhole spay so if we decide to go this way then we will have to travel out 15 miles to the nearest vets which do. Had a little nosey at you pics and Chepi is looking fab! I love the one where she is snuggled with your cat! ;D
Re: D-day Thanks Mags, it's great to have some support! Nicola, hi, nice to hear from you. I chose traditional after being convinced I would choose keyhole. Other vets in the practice do keyhole but the vet I like didn't. He explained that he thought the dog would be under anesthetic longer; the dog's abdomin would be pumped with gas; there would be 3 incisions instead of one and those incisions would be through muscle whereas the traditional wasn't. I guess he was so experienced he felt it was a very quick op traditionally. I think I just trusted him more than the vets doing keyhole as well. I had planned to wait until after the first season but couldn't as I had nobody to look after her on work days if she was in season. Gosh - Nellie is only a few days older than Chepi, looks like I sailed close to the wind! How was the season? Any pics?
Re: D-day I am going to speak to my vets to fully understand both procedures before deciding but am really in two mind at the moment. I was a little surprised that she came into season so soon as our last lab didn't have a season until after she was over a year old! She has been fine while in season. She is used to having a good old run every morning with a bunch of other crazy labradors so she has been a bit miffed that she has not been able to do this and has destroyed most of her toys through boredom. We have been giving her 2 short lead walks a day early in the morning and late in the evening so nowhere near her normal quota! I have posted a few pics below image by nicolamorris0208, on Flickr image by nicolamorris0208, on Flickr image by nicolamorris0208, on Flickr
Re: D-day Glad Chepi is on the mend....what a lovely mom you are to give up the duvet!!!! Sorry about the vet experiences Bella stays with me always...and we see Dr. Nancy every time - no exceptions. Bella LOVES her!!!