I just put a plastic cone on Duggan (getting a better one later today) and he’s just sitting there staring upwards and panting. Is he just getting used to it you think ? He had TPLO surgery 2 days ago and hasn’t exhibited this behaviour until the cone went on. He has panted intermittently a bit before his next round of meds are due but not like this. It’s kinda spooky.
Yes. He’s licking the incision. I understand panting is indicative of stress. I’m just hoping he’s adjusting to the collar and not it too much pain.
Ack, that's hard. I would take it off if at all possible and just distract him every time he licks at the incision. I'm quite sensitive to stress in my dogs, and so I couldn't keep it on if my dog was panting because of it. Of course, this means you watching him at all times. Any idea when the new cone will be arriving? Can you cover the incision until then? What type of cone is it? Willow still absolutely hated the soft cone - she put her head down to the floor so she looked like a traffic cone. She tolerates the inflatable collar, but that doesn't work for all scenarios because they can still reach extremities.
Also some of the pain meds can make him pant. Things like tramadol. It can also be panting due to pain when he's in need for his next dose. I also find that just when some of the drugs are going into the system it can make them a bit restless too. They can also have problems controlling their temprature after a general anaesthetic and can pant due to that. Like snowbunny suggested I'd take his collar off if you can and use it only when you have too it might be upsetting him.
I figured the meds had something to do with it. I’ve made the house a bit colder. It’s all quite terrible to have to go through. He’s settled down now. There’s contractors in the yard and he can’t even be bothered by them at all. It’s just nice to be able to come on here and talk it out. Thanks all for the support. Ps. He is on 4 meds, one being tramadol.
Tramadol is good but it can make them pant and a bit restless. I find it happens about an hour after they take it.
I'm so sorry you and Duggan are having to go through this; try to keep your mind on the long-term - he and you are going to get through this and he will have a happy, pain-free life. Hang in there.
Duggan is doing well. I think the shock and pain of it all is waning and his spirit is shining through the semi drug induced comma the anti anxiety meds have him in(godsend really). He’s not been at his incision and he’s still non weight bearing on the leg but hobbling along fine. I’m gonna put my back out lifting him up the stairs to the house though (Gonna build a ramp today). Now that he’s feeling better and his meds stop in a few days I think the real challenge will be keeping him quiet. He already wants to chase birds on wee breaks. He’s quite a clever dog so keeping him busy while inactive to keep him from getting depressed will be the next challenge. They are tougher and more resilient than we give them credit for. Overall it’s been quite the bonding experience. Not sure how he feels about me holding his butt up while he does his business but it definitely brings you closer together. Lol.
If he feel he needs more pain meds ask for more. And there's a whole section somewhere on here on games for dogs on limited exercise
So glad Duggan is doing well, what a good boy I can't find it, but there is a section on the forum about keeping dogs that have had surgery busy with indoors training games. Maybe someone can link it. I will have another look. x
Just played a few rounds of “find it”. He loved it, he got too excited so I had to stop. Great way to develop that skill too. I rubbed the treat along a trail for a few meters and then sent him in the room to find it. He’s not the best nose yet but he knew why he was there and what to do. Excellent. Also the Kongs are freezing. Hopefully I did it correctly. I just put a handful of kibble in a bowl of water for a minute then stuffed them inside. The other one I just used peanut butter. He loves peanut butter. Great ideas. Thanks for the link.
Great you've found it useful I soak the kibble, the mix it with tuna (normally) before stuffing the kongs, but Mags @Boogie has a brilliant way where she puts the kongs into beakers, filled with dry kibble then fills the beaker with water. Once the kibble is soaked, she just drains any remaining water and freezes the self-stuffed kongs. Inspired. It wouldn't work for me because the tuna is in oil, and it coats the kibble so it doesn't expand, but if you're using plain kibble, or a non-oily mixer, it would work well. Maybe she'll share a picture here?
