Cone After Neutering

Eve2001

Okay so my 10 month old male chihuahua was neutered today and all went well. We were giving antibiotics, pain relief and a cone.

I understand completely that the cone is a precaution and ofcourse I don't want him to damage his stitches and return to the vet.

But I've never seen him so miserable, he's like a different dog. He seems half afraid to walk, won't lie down, and is just obviously depressed.

When the cone was off for a minute he acted normal straight away so I know its not an effect of the anaesthetic.

In theory I could watch him the majority of the time to make sure he leaves the stitches alone (he stopped earlier as soon as I said it).

And when I'm going somewhere/ asleep I could put the cone on for those short periods. My question is - is it okay to risk it?

Outkast_IRE

Eve2001 wrote: »

Okay so my 10 month old male chihuahua was neutered today and all went well. We were giving antibiotics, pain relief and a cone.

I understand completely that the cone is a precaution and ofcourse I don't want him to damage his stitches and return to the vet.

But I've never seen him so miserable, he's like a different dog. He seems half afraid to walk, won't lie down, and is just obviously depressed.

When the cone was off for a minute he acted normal straight away so I know its not an effect of the anaesthetic.

In theory I could watch him the majority of the time to make sure he leaves the stitches alone (he stopped earlier as soon as I said it).

And when I'm going somewhere/ asleep I could put the come on for those short periods. My question is - is it okay to risk it?

Had a similar issue with my Collie only worse - she started thrasing violently to get it off - we took it off pretty quickly and to watched her closely that she didnt go at the stitches.

Bells21

Could you try one of the inflatable comfy collars? Your dog might take better to that?
It's a case of not letting them lick the stitches/area around too just in case of infection as well as obviously pulling them out.

leonffrench

Bells21 wrote:

Could you try one of the inflatable comfy collars? Your dog might take better to that? It's a case of not letting them lick the stitches/area around too just in case of infection as well as obviously pulling them out.

+1 on this. Inflatable travel neck pillow, tie the open ends with a piece of string when it's over the dogs neck. Open end facing the ceiling and they won't be able to reach down there to lick

Eve2001

Bells21 wrote: »

Could you try one of the inflatable comfy collars? Your dog might take better to that?
It's a case of not letting them lick the stitches/area around too just in case of infection as well as obviously pulling them out.

Would you get them in a pet shop or where?

DBB

Eve2001 wrote: »

Would you get them in a pet shop or where?

Most of the big chain pet stores have them... Whether they'd have a Chi sized one I don't know... But for any abdominal or groin surgery, they are the biz, and readily accepted by dogs.

DBB

They have them in Pet World anyway!
https://www.petworlddirect.ie/p/comfy-collar/p187047001

em_cat

Eve2001 wrote: »

Would you get them in a pet shop or where?

I wouldn’t bother with a cone, I use a snood bc it can be made so mr c is comfy but can’t lick. Also it would be good to teach to leave it and this is the perfect time. It’s very important that he doesn’t lick the stitches.

Here’s a YT link, of course you’ll need to use something like 1/2 a tea towel or you might be able to use an old sports sock. It’s good to learn some diy stuff with dogs as otherwise you’ll be running to a pet shop any and every day.

https://youtu.be/pszNSfn7lzc

Eve2001

em_cat wrote: »

I wouldn’t bother with a cone, I use a snood bc it can be made so mr c is comfy but can’t lick. Also it would be good to teach to leave it and this is the perfect time. It’s very important that he doesn’t lick the stitches.

Here’s a YT link, of course you’ll need to use something like 1/2 a tea towel or you might be able to use an old sports sock. It’s good to learn some diy stuff with dogs as otherwise you’ll be running to a pet shop any and every day.

https://youtu.be/pszNSfn7lzc

Thanks for that, he has the DIY snood on right now. Not sure how effective my work is but for the moment it seems to be doing the job and he looks slightly less petrified, it'll give him a break if nothing else. Plus he's so tired I don't think he'd have the energy to try get it off until atleast the morning.

angeldaisy

we always used children's vests / t- shirts. none of ours could tolerate a cone

leonffrench

Travel section in Tesco

boomerang

In my experience they can have "cone depression" (it's a thing!) for the first day or so until they adapt to it. I would persevere. You don't want that wound getting infected and breaking down or having him put under a second anaesthetic to re-stitch it.