Desexing And Keeping Stitches Dry

[koalathebear]

Hoover was desexed this afternoon. He's still very groggy and while asleep (or immobile from grogginess), the poor thing urinated and wet the crate - and his stitches.

We've cleaned up the crate but I'm wondering if I should be doing anything about the fact that his stitches were wet with urine ... Of course I can't wipe him down with a damp cloth or something.

Also, in terms of the grogginess, I realise that dogs can stay drowsy for up to 24 hours after the operation because of the anaesthesia, but how long did other people's dogs stay drowsy? Elbie was only 10 weeks old when he was desexed (long story) and within hours he was up and about, totally back to his usual self. Hoover's over five months old now and 15kg (he's not fat but he's big for a Kelpie) so I'm a bit surprised he's so drowsy.

[wuffles]

Poor Hoovs!

Ava was drowsy and slept from the time she got home from the vet to about 6am the next morning. Then she woke up and bounced out of her crate like nothing had happened.

[koalathebear]

Poor Hoovs!

Ava was drowsy and slept from the time she got home from the vet to about 6am the next morning. Then she woke up and bounced out of her crate like nothing had happened.

He's not his usual happy self at all. Ears are back, shoulders slumped and he seems a little bit frightened of everything - which again is not like him at all. He's always been the pluckiest of puppies and afraid of nothing. I hope he'll be all right by tomorrow.

Edited December 10, 2010 by koalathebear

[wuffles]

Ava just went straight into her crate when she got home and slept, literally. It can take days for them to feel better.

[Max#1]

Hey there - hope Hoover is feeling a bit better soon?

Max was a bit strange after the 'procedure'. For example, at the vets he wasn't sure who I was and I think he would've just as happily gone home with the other lady that was there. He was confused, it seemed. Then when we got home, he acted funny for a bit, like he wasn't sure where he was, and he was a bit growly. Nothing too bad, but odd. Then he slept for a couple of hours, then he was himself again. Hopefully once Hoover has slept it off he will be as right as rain (though somewhat subdued to make the keeping him calm process a bit easier for you guys!).

As for the peeing. Urine is sterile, at least when it leaves the body. As in no bacteria or nasties. I'd wipe it though, just a bit. I can imagine it'd sting!

Poor Hoover! Try not to worry too much!

[shelby-001]

Hi there,

Our Boof was the BIGGEST sook when he got done. He was 12 months old and sooked severely.

When we got him at the vets he was moaning, while he lay waiting for us to pay. We drove him home (in back of van) and he wouldn't move he just lay their moaning again. Other half carried him to his bed and put him down. He moaned for nearly two hours on and off. Lucky this got us late enough that we put his little sister beside him on bed (she was so gentle it was absolutely gorgeous) and he settled completely and slept ALL NIGHT til about 7am the next morning.

The next morning he was much livelier, not himself but much better, he slept mostly for that day and the next, then he started to return to normal.

Lilly is due for stitches out Monday coming, she was 6.5 months when she got down. She didn't even whinge. Was very groggy and tired, but woke up the next day ok, but still happy to sleep mainly. The 2nd day after picking her up, she wanted to run around like mad, so we gave her a sedative to calm her and she slept most of the day. Day 3 we were out and about so they spent a lot fo time sleeping on their futons in the van. Day 4 she was allowed to roam we just stopped her from running and so the days went on. Now there'd be no knowing she has had anything done (except the stitches are still there).

Good luck I'm sure Hoover will be fine.

I used soap free, fragrance free baby wipes to pat the area clean and blow it dry!

[dancinbcs]

He is probably groggy from a painkiller rather than the anaesthetic. They would have made sure he was out of that before sending him home. The painkiller can make them very groggy until the next day. Elbie probably didn't have one as he was desexed so young.

[Guest]

Abby was fine the day after her op she couldn't wait to get get out and about but she was on pain killers for 4 days so I guess that helped, although it was hard trying to keep her quiet.

I hope Hoover soon feels better.

lablove

[Ons]

I think all dogs react differently

Maggie the foster kelpie was desexed yesterday. She was groggy and sleepy yesterday afternoon. Today she is back to her normal self, I was hoping for at least another day of quiet - but nope ;)

Hope Hoover is feeling better today

[koalathebear]

Thanks all for the comments and well-wishes. Little Hoover is much better today. He appears completely recovered and clearly wishes we'd let him run around outside with Elbie. Funnily, his ear has come back up again - yesterday it drooped as if to reflect his sedated frame of mind. Poor thing now has two tattoos in his left ear, his existing WKC tattoo and now his desexing tattoo.

I hope Maggie feels better soon, too - I know it's tougher for the girlies i.e. she seems normal again but it's going to be hard to keep her quiet ..

Edited December 10, 2010 by koalathebear

[4Kelpies]

I 'm glad Hoover is feeling better. Now the challenge will be for you to keep him from doing too much. You might wish he was still groggy. It's quite common for ears to go up and down with Kelpie pups in reaction to illness, teething etc. At least if they have gone up before, they will go up again and stay up.

[koalathebear]

I 'm glad Hoover is feeling better. Now the challenge will be for you to keep him from doing too much. You might wish he was still groggy. It's quite common for ears to go up and down with Kelpie pups in reaction to illness, teething etc. At least if they have gone up before, they will go up again and stay up.

Thanks 4kelpies. Good to know about the ears. I was a bit baffled because for a while, both ears went up then the right ear drooped again and the left ear stayed up. Then after the desexing (when poor Hoover's left ear was tattooed for a second time), his left ear drooped, too. The left is back up but the right is still drooping. I'm not sure if it will ever make it's way up again given that it was only up for a few days at the start. I suppose farmers never tape their Kelpies' ears?

Keeping him quiet has been a challenge. We've been able to do it by keeping Elbie outside and Hoover inside. Then when we let Elbie in, too, we'll watch them closely or crate Hoover. So that Hoover isn't too bored, we've been bringing him with us to the hospital and while I'm visiting dad, Hoover and OH sit downstairs on an outside bench. He saw lots of stretchers, wheelchairs, noisy cars and trolleys today and got lots of pats. Then we took him to the shopping centre and while I was shopping at the supermarkets, OH was outside with Hoover and he apparently got lots and LOTS of pats from adults and children alike, also was near noisy shopping trolleys and the carts that move the trolleys around. He seemed to love it and so was nice and tired when we brought him home Can't wait until Wednesday, though when he can go back to being his usual active self.