The Neutering Saga

Last week we got Kenobi neutered. This is a pretty routine proceedure and shouldn't be a big deal, right? I mean we have already experienced this with minimal issues.

However, never before had we experienced a cone.

I don't know what was worse for him - being neutered or having to wear the cone for days.

When I went to pick him up post-surgery, we had to hang out at the vet for a while because we needed to get both dogs Lyme vaccines for our impending move back east. Not a big deal. As soon as the vet brought Kenobi out to me, all that was on his little anesthesia-riddled puppy brain was "I have got to lick this incision". At least that is what seems to have been on his mind. Thus, the vet went and got the cone and the saga began. Right there at the vet.

Unfortunately, his mind set is only just starting to change - a solid week later. It has been a loooong week to say the least. Probably the most traumatic of his little puppy life. Everytime he tried to walk anywhere - our bedroom to the living room, outside to go to the bathroom, etc. - he would throw what we equated to tantrums. He would sit on his butt, spin, and try unsuccessfully to lick his incision so he would start scratching it with the cone. Taking a walk with that behavior was particularly fun and a lot longer than normal. One thing is for sure - this little guy is doing his best to prepare us for what is coming in the next year or so.

With his peripheral vision completely non-existent, he also ran into a lot more things than normal. Ameya learned very quickly to fear the cone and makes sure to keep a safe distance, often hiding behind me wherever I am. On Thursday we decided his attention to the incision was waning and it seemed to be healing nicely so we let him spend a little time without the cone. He was fairly successful so we did the same on Friday. However, Thursday was also our last days of drugs for him. This was very apparent in a sudden behavior shift on Friday. With the cone off, we expected him to start acting a little more like his playful self. What we didn't anticipate was that he would still be in a lot of pain and not want to leave the couch or move unless it was absolutely necessary. I'm talking we had to drag him off the couch to get him to go outside. He would get up to eat, but not with anywhere near the same gusto that he normally does.

At first we though "Okay, maybe he's just tired. Afterall, he hasn't really slept with the cone on because it's so loud in the crate and he is constantly freaking out about it".

Nope. Saturday was the same story after having the cone off for a day and a night and a day. So, back to the vet it was. Diagnosis: he was still in pain, could potentially be having a reaction to the Lyme vaccine, and the area around the incision was inflamed due to being shaved and licking/scratching. Prespription: more pain meds, antibiotics, ointment for the area, and reinstate the cone. Awesome. haha.

However, we do seem to have turned a corner and are on the mend - knock on wood. He showed a little more life last night and was actually interested playing a little. He even followed me around the house as I tidied and packed a little. Great news! I think he'll get to officially ditch the cone today and hopefully be back to his normal self in a couple days.

Moral of the story: pray that your dog doesn't need a cone after being spayed/neutered. It. Is. A. Disaster.