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Originally Posted by Ellie May  It's way too early to bathe.
It sounds like they gave you discharge instructions that say exercise restriction for 10-14 days? Not only are they trying to protect themselves, but they are trying to protect Gizmo. If he runs or jumps and the incision tears or the surgical site gets damaged and abcesses, exercise restriction will probably start from day one again. He could even have to go under anesthesia again. Even though surgical site issues happen to a small percentage, it isn't worth the risk.
Short leash walks are acceptable. Playing quietly with a Kong or chewing treats is fine. Anything that involves running, jumping, and wrestling with kids or other animals is not okay.
How distressed is he when you crate him? Is he hurting his incision when he is in a crate? If you can't watch him, that's the best place for him right now. It is okay to do that for most of the day and night during this time.
Even if they shorten the time that he needs to stay quiet when you call, what is on the paper that they sent home is still what it is in his best interest. That said, 10-14 seems long for a neuter to me too, but it has only been 3 which isn't enough time.
Just hope he never needs luxating patella surgery or anything. That will require confining for 4-8 weeks! |
When he does have to go in the crate, i.e. when my husband and I are not home, he has on the cone of shame so he can't touch the incision. However, if I have him in the crate with us home, he is more anxiety ridden and is jumping at the crate and crying and very upset.
I called and told the vet that and she suggested that I give him a tranquilizer. I wasn't comfortable with that so I called another vet just for a second opinion and she basically said what you just told me.
That minimal exercise, especially since the dog is a puppy and needs to have a little bit of activity in order to tire themselves put at night is fine. As long as he's not bothering the incision and the incision looks okay (she told me what to look for as opposed to my vet who didn't tell me what to look for they didn't even explain what some warning signs with it are) he should be alright. She stressed no steps which isn't a problem since we live in a ranch.
So right now, I checked his incision which is fine and now he's laying at my feet chewing on a bully stick. I know I sound really ignorant with his surgery, I didn't have a chance to ask the vet because my husband picked him up and I've only had girls growing up who were usually groggy for a little longer.
I pray he doesn't get an LP I'll literally have to sit on him to make him chill out. I just was not comfortable with giving my dog a tranquilizer to settle him down.