So, got good and bad news from the vet when we picked the boy up. Good news: surgery went well, blood tests all good, etc. Bad news: they had to muzzle him as he was snapping at them when they were trying to restrain him for his pre- exam, needles, etc. Vet ( a friend of ours) was concerned about his socialization, etc, but said he did understand that this dog had had a lot of changes in his life in the last couple weeks and hasn't had much training. But it set me back a bit, worried that perhaps we're taking on too much. Sigh. On arrival home he was subdued, but soon started to perk up and then to lick at the incision, my daughter tried to push his head away, he was snapping at her. Double sigh. On went the cone to discourage licking.... He's tolerating it fairly well with the occasional bout of mad scrabbling at it. In the mean time bumping into everything in sight. Cone supposed to stay on for seven days. Triple sigh. It's gonna be a looonng week.... :-\
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! Oh Lisa,I'm sorry,you sound really down in the dumps.He was having a horrible day on top of everything he has experienced ( or not experienced )leading up to living with you,so I guess it wasn't surprising retrospectively but I guess it's disappointed you as you weren't expecting it.You are experiencing something I haven't but I can only assume this week of recovery may as well just be a period of survival for you and not the reality of how Simba will be as he adjusts to his new life.You can help him I know you can,I just don't think it will be quick and easy........but then its not round at our house and we havent got half the challenges you have hope today is better for you both x
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! Sorry to hear that Lisa. Just stay calm; this too will pass. You may need at some point to do some re-socialisation with him with the vet. Poppy was quite scared at the vet's at first, and so I took her round there several times without her needing any treatment. The vet just spent time talking to her and giving her treats. (Yes, I am lucky and have a wonderful vet.)
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! so sorry to hear this lisa, hope he is well soon i also have a brilliant vet, we have been to the vets every month for weigh worm and flee treatment, gets lots of fuss in the surgery, hopefully when he goes in to be neutered next month we wont have any problems, regarding the cone i am going to ask the vet saturday on our visit if he recommends the inflatable cone
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! So sorry that you are feeling down Lisa, and can understand it too . Simba will soon get over his op and as the others say , once recovered, maybe you can socialise him with the Vets. I also took Sam to our Vets for no good reason , other than him becomming used to strangers touching him and him seeing them as friends . Tomorrow is another day and one day closer to him feeling better too , chin up x
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! Like the others have said I wouldn't be disheartened. My cocker is also a rehome who missed out on socialisation when he was a pup. I always muzzle him for vet visits even the routine stuff. I also carry a light fabric muzzle with me when I work him on a shoot in case he gets tangled up in something and I have to free him. I'm pretty sure that he would try and bite me if he was in pain so I am just that little bit more cautious and aware when I handle him.
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! Thanks for all your encouraging words. Today is a new day and I'm feeling a bit better. I reminded myself that my other dog could get a bit snappy with the vet too, so it doesn't mean that Simba will turn out to be a vicious dog. He has been through a lot the last couple of weeks, so I have to be patient with him. But neither do I want to turn a blind eye to a potential problem only to have something truly terrible happen because I didn't want to see what was really going on. In the meantime I am going to continue with the training - hope to do some crate work but could be difficult with the cone. I'll let you all know how it progresses. So glad to have a sympathetic place to whine at... Thanks again!
Re: Update on Simba: the dreaded cone of shame!!! lisa i wish you all the best, you sound like you have it all in hand, you are doing very well, keep it up
