Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Willow is still feeling very sorry for herself

She had her spay on Friday, so I put it down to that, but now I'm not so sure that she's not pining for Shadow. Shouldn't she have perked up after her op by now? She's still eating fine, but other than that seems very low. She's sleeping a lot and if we go out and come back, she doesn't come to the door like normal, she stays in her bed. We do get a waggy tail on occasion, and she's rolled over for a few tummy rubs, but she's nowhere near her normal self. We're off to the vet this afternoon and I'll obviously mention it to him, but I'm starting to wonder if she's behaving like this because she's missing her brother.

If that's the case, I don't know if I should bring him round (on lead to prevent him jumping on her), or use it as an opportunity to have them apart and hope she gets over it? Shadow, who I'd have said is the more sensitive soul, isn't having any issues at all and doesn't whine at all when I leave him.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Hi Fiona , sensitive dogs can miss one another for sure , the dynamics of the family have changed and she is most likely anxious about this . A well supervised visit wouldn't go amiss I`m sure , let her know that he is still around x

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Ah Maybe,poor little thing.....can you set a visit up and see if it gives her a lift? X

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Yes, there's no problem with him coming round because he's only living about three minutes' walk away and I'm popping in to see him, feed and walk him several times a day! I have to go give him his lunch now, so I might just pop him home and see if it perks her up.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Ah let us know x

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Let us know how it goes!

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

She barely reacted. She didn't get out of her bed and they only had a little lick of the face.

In one way, I'm pleased because I don't want them to be too dependent on one another (littermate syndrome always on my mind) but I'd really hoped to see a little spark.

I'm hoping the vet will be able to offer some advice. Her string vest should be coming off later, too, and that may make her feel a little more normal. I'm grasping at straws now and am feeling like I've broken my dog :'(

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

You won't have broken her, try not to worry (says she who always worries). They're all different and it may just take her a little longer. The vet will make sure there's nothing medical and then you can spoil her til she's right as rain again

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Remember, it takes humans months to get over such an op!

Some bounce back the day after, some take longer. It's certainly worth mentioning it to your vet, of course. But, if all is well medically, it's good that she's being quiet as it's a really hard job keeping the bouncers calm.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

There's no predicting accurately how they will react post op....all so different.Willow will definately recover and get her bounce back ...but that doesn't help you feeling sad for her I know x You will feel better when she is checked tomorrow....I'm glad she saw Shadow even if she wasn't that enthused ,it was a bit of normal for you all x

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Most dogs bounce back, but maybe she has an infection? The vet will be able to put you right when you see him this afternoon. At least you have ruled out one problem and that is her behaviour isn't that she is missing Shadow.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Ah, I hope she perks up soon, poor girl. Glad you are due a vet check.

[quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9985.msg145268#msg145268 date=1424689501]
use it as an opportunity to have them apart and hope she gets over it?
[/quote]

I have no experience of 2 puppies, but my family always had two dogs. My mum thought it was very healthy they were able to spend time apart, and she took the opportunities to do so. I think it's probably sensible. Plus, you don't want the jumping about if she is still in recovery...

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

[quote author=JulieT link=topic=9985.msg145323#msg145323 date=1424702810]
Ah, I hope she perks up soon, poor girl. Glad you are due a vet check.

[quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9985.msg145268#msg145268 date=1424689501]
use it as an opportunity to have them apart and hope she gets over it?
[/quote]

I have no experience of 2 puppies, but my family always had two dogs. My mum thought it was very healthy they were able to spend time apart, and she took the opportunities to do so. I think it's probably sensible. Plus, you don't want the jumping about if she is still in recovery...
[/quote]

Added: oh, sorry, he's been in. Oh dear, it didn't cheer her up? Well, hope she is ok...see what the vet says, maybe.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

[quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9985.msg145287#msg145287 date=1424694684]
am feeling like I've broken my dog
[/quote]

Oh Fiona, I feel for you! What a perfect way to describe it.... I remember feeling so miserable when Pongo was poorly. Hopefully the vet will set your mind at rest that it is just her way of recovering. The blessing is that, once they are better, they forget all about it.... it's all past and gone, she'll be running around again and full of beans before you know it. All you can do now is give her lots of comfort while her little body sorts itself out.

One thing for sure: you are suffering at least as much as she is!

Hugs from me and the very gentlest of licks from Pongo

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Harley took about 5-6 days before she started getting back to normal. She was very sleepy and just wanted to snuggle up. It took about a week after she started picking up until she was back to herself.
Hope all went well at the vets x

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Just like people, dogs vary in the time it takes to bounce back from an op. Try not to worry too much (says her who slept downstairs for a week whe Charlie had it done!).

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Is she still getting painkillers
(any opportunity to mention my dislike of tramadol )

Hope she picks up soon poor lass.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

It sounds as if she's still feeling a bit sleepy, perhaps not yet over the effects of the anaesthetic. I hope she (and you) feel much better soon. As Rosie has said, dogs soon forget once they're bouncing around again - that doesn't make it any easier when they're not, though. It a strange mixture of feeling worried that they're not rushing around, yet feeling relieved that they're not trying to do too much.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

So sorry you and Willow are still in quiet mode - I think it's pretty normal actually...they tend to do well "self limiting" - but if she is realy truly lethargic, then checking with the vet is a good idea.

My Bella was quieter than normal for a few days - and when she did get a bit more excited...she quickly calmed herself back down. We did her spay on a Thursday, picked her up Friday and then spent a very quiet weekend at home. She had 5 days of Rhymadil to help with pain. By Wednesday, she wasn't really stir crazy, but she was obviously feeling more herself, and it was more of a challenge to get her to keep calm with no running/jumping. She was always happy to see her big sister dog, but not silly and excited like normal...just glad to say hi.

Hopefully Willow will be back to her normal self very soon.

 

Re: Still recovering from spay, or pining for her brother?

Im wondering the same as Jacqui, Cuillin is a pretty hyperactive dog normally, she was given tramadol after she had her tooth out, I had her on the low end of dosage for a few days but she was a different dog. Quite subdued, sleepy, not up for playing....two days off them and back to her old self. But a marked notable difference while on them..hope she is back to her wee self soon