The ointment should help enormously and relieve the irritation and soreness. I have never had to put cones on my dogs (yet!), but can imagine how upsetting it must be for a dog.
Thank you @Stacia. It was so horrible to see the way she just ‘shut down’ but I think we might have to use the cone even if only for short periods so we can take the bandage off and let air get to it. This is tough.
As you can imagine we've had the same problems with Inky's leg after an IV, the nurse gave us isaderm gel too which seemed to soothe it. As for the cone, after so many lots of stitches, inky has got used to it. He stands still for me to put it on then pretty much I ignores it, makes my legs sore though where he bashes into them! When he needs it, I take it off when I can distract him or if we're out for a walk but feel otherwise it's the lesser of 2 evils as it takes so long for anything to heal
Thank you @Inky lab for this. I am sorry you have had this problem. I am going to have to use the cone today - Red managed to nibble the bandage off during the night!! The patch looks raw but not as bad as yesterday so the gel must be doing something. At the moment I am giving her a bit of freedom whilst I can watch her but I have commitments today so we will need to build the time up she has it on. Your post has given me that courage. I really don’t like seeing all these behaviours that I have never seen before and just hope when we get over this, she will be as she was pre op.
When Doug's disease was active he would try to eat his feet. I often had to sleep with him to stop him I used to have sleep with my hands on his feet. He had to wear a cone when I wasn't there because of the damage I had to build it up it was hard but like you I had to do it slowly. Unfortunately it's the only thing you can do to prevent the dog hurting themselves. The habit forms quickly distracting with simple calm games can help too. Hope your cream works soon and you can get back to normal. Xxx
I've no real advice but just to say poor little Red --- I'm sure though with the thoughtful care you give her she will get over it, I don't see why she won't be the same Red as before With the medi-vest, I folded Cassie's back and did the poppers up so it was like a little bolero, that way I could soon put it back if she bothered the wound without having to put it back over her head which is the bit she doesn't like.
It’s 10 days since Red was spayed and we are back for her 2nd post op check this afternoon. The patch on her leg is slowly healing - still red but scabby and I have ‘caught’ her licking. Last Friday we took the medi vest off - she rolled on her back and she had a hard swelling on one side of the scar (which has healed nicely). Off course me in my usual fashion over my dogs, went into panic mode and was all for whisking her off to the vets. DH (my voice of reason) said we needed to monitor as in all other respects she was fine. It has taken a few days to go down but is almost unnoticeable - I will be mentioning it though this afternoon. She is getting her walks but hasn’t been let off lead - she has a lot of energy that needs releasing and last evening we couldn’t stop her zooming around the garden. The vet nurse said to be cautious for up to a month - think this is going to be difficult. She has become obsessed with other dogs when I take her out in the evening and a few times has almost pulled me over - going from a totally loose lead to taut in seconds.
Tricky for you -- I've no real advice other than is it worth trying mental tasks in an attempt to tire her mentally? I know you've done quite a few tricks etc in your class, or how about teaching her tuggy or some of the forum challenges. I find them helpful in times of incarceration. Try not to worry too much -- you can only do your very best, which you are doing. Easy for me to say perhaps as Cassie took to the sofa in "indisposed" mode during her recovery.
Red's leg is still infected and the vet nurse says she has to wear the cone until it's healed. I explained about the 'shutting down' but she said it is imperative she has the cone on until it's healed. She said if it doesn't heal and it won't whilst she is licking it (she has become crafty and licking when I'm not looking), we are talking about injections, antibiotics and more so there is no choice (other than put a muzzle on her which I won't do). Red is still stood where I took this photo making little crying noises. I keep going and giving her a treat and stroking her. Urgh this is tough. One good thing though, her scar is good and the vet nurse was very happy with that. She said the swelling which has virtually gone was a result of the stitches and quite normal. Exercise wise, she is still on restricted until 3 - 4 weeks after the op so another blow as I was hoping we could start being off lead a bit.
Oh poor sweetheart Red! Poor you too! It really is tough isn't it? Our previous girl, Solstice had to have a cone after cruciate ligament surgery because she kept licking her wound. She also had to have crate rest for six weeks and the combination was heartbreaking. I believe she was quite depressed for some of this time, but she did seem to get used to the cone to a certain extent. We gave loads of treats and reassurance and only used it when we weren't around to watch her. I do hope Red starts to cope better soon and makes a speedy recovery.
Red will have to get used to it. I just hate hearing her cry - she is such a lovely girl. We just need to get into a temporary routine of it being on but off for things like eating and drinking and walks. She finally lay down whilst we ate our meal and she is now cone free eating a kong so hopefully when she realises it won’t always be on, she will start to accept. Thank you for your comments @Candy - it all helps.
I’d keep an eye on her on a night - Stanley figured out how to get his off. Then on the 3rd night he just destroyed it because he thought you’re not putting that back on me! They’re crafty little devils. Poor little love, hope she’s feeling better soon xx
Poor, dear Red, she looks sad in that pic. Must be so hard for you. Hope she gets more accustomed to it and more resigned than troubled.
So sorry you're still having problems with Red's leg healing, especially as her abdominal wound has healed so well. As I said before, Inky is used to his so I hope Red becomes accustomed to hers when you can't watch her. It seems better than the alternatives.
Day 2 of the cone: Slightly resigned to it - crying on and off and still standing still for long periods of time but subtle little changes - she is letting me put it back on better - we have only had one dodge around the table and chairs today . She is letting me put the gel on her leg and it looks much better - not red raw anymore. Reckon though it will need to be totally healed or she’ll start on it again. She appears to be sleeping well in the cone. I observed her this afternoon and she was stretched out in her bed looking quite relaxed. Feel my bouncy, joyous big puppy has ‘gone’ for the time being and it makes me sad but we must get everything better.
Hopefully it won’t be too long before she’s all healed up. I had one of these for Keir - it was good.
