Update
 

Took her in 9am this morning, after hugging her close all last night. I felt dreadful somehow, knowing what was coming with the new day? A depression settled over me - the betrayer!

We booked in at the Vets perfectly, but she started shaking and was a little sick just before hand over. I dropped Irina off shopping and drove around in a frenetic state of mind, eventually parking up on the Cliffs, stewing away with a cup of coffee. At 11.30 the mobile rung - God was I apprehensive!

A lovely cheery voice told me the op was perfect and she'd recovered from the anesthetic very well. I'm going to pick her up at 2.30, when she should be fine to go. So I've returned to the car, made a few calls - Mom first of course and then logged on here. The Practice said what a lovely, gentle nature she has and has become a big hit with the nurse. They are real people there, so I believe the compliment! I just want to get her home and spoil her rotten (no real change). I'll update later when she's back.:)

I'm so happy and relieved to hear your news.

So glad it's over, for both of you! I truly believe you did the right thing. Please keep us updated through her recovery, and let us know how both of you are doing!

Thank you, The look I got when I left her I don't think I'll ever forget, confusion and fear - hope she forgives me:icon5:

That is great news. Let us know how she does.

Thank you, the Vet (a super Australian lady) confirmed that and said 'You'd be amazed how many sad times I know that we wouldn't probably be considering a termination if your little op had been done, when say a 7 year old dog comes in with either mammary, urinary or womb tumors. Very often it was because of the expense in the first place' and I feel so upset for everyone!

She added 'You've been brave, unselfish and very right - well done - don't worry, she's a super fit little dog, we'' look after her - promise'.

I'm glad its all over - she was microchipped, tows clipped and all her little 'meggies' (Whoops UK anachronism for teeth were perfect)

So I felt justified in the small risk after all the great help and support here. I've had some super dogs in my lifetime and loved all of them, from a boy up. However this little thing and I have been in love from the first day we set eyes on each other! She was a rescue/re-homed dog, aged 5 months and smothered in wood-chippings and tangles. But such a funny quizzical little look and I could feel her character 10 yards away. We've never looked back since.:)

Congratulations, it's done and you can go right back to spoiling your precious Crystal now. I hope she has a quick recovery and that all the worries over this procedure are soon forgotten.

So glad it's over! I know all the emotions all so well. You did good! Keep us posted.

And....breathe....!!!! :D

Well done Martin and Crystal and Irina (and of course the Vet too ;)) so happy to hear all is well, and hope you're having a lovely scrummy cuddle...:)

I agree with your vet. It took a lot of courage for you to put your fears aside to do this for Crystal. You did this because you adore her, and Crystal knows that. Our babies love unconditionally, and Crystal will definitely forgive you.

Back Home
 

Six hours after the op, we picked her up and she's back home with mum and dad (see pic). Cone around the head, (for 10 days), musn't jump for the same period. Just had her first tiny walk a few steps around the kitchen! Very, very quiet, just rests in her basket, with those forlorn eyes just watching me with a baleful regard and sometimes occasional little whimpers. So I moved her up next to me and gave her a few sips of water. She seems happier now being closer and shows signs of improvement, sitting up a bit. Everything is very quiet, save the storm that's lashing the tiles right now. In the chest we have 2 x 20mg Rymadil tablets and have been told to give her half of one if she's in pain (I suppose she'll cry if that's the case)? We have a pen (see pic), which we thought we'd try and home her in for at least a couple of days as she loves jumping off the beds etc. She won't be alone at all, (except when we're asleep)? What about a 'onesie'? I hate those cone collars, surely as long as it covers the wound/stitches that's fine and Irina says she can knock one up in a few hours on her sewing machine? Tonight, I'm sleeping on a mattress next to her on the floor I've decided.

Irina's from Belarus, where 'speying' is not prevalent and her opinion of me, causing little one so much trauma is not going down well just now!:sad:

:) Yes to the onesie Martin - let Irina get knocking....!!! :D

We tried everything else with Rosie our Lab (including a pair of knickers....:eek: :D) but think the onesie'll be the best bet for little Crystal xx

If your wifes good on the sewing machine, a onsie is a great idea.
Tescos sells 3 for £7 and they are very good quailty. I've used them for Pippi while she's in season, cut the bottom half for knickers, and kept the top for a t-shirt. So after you've finished with the onsies, you can have some cute t-shirts, if needed.
Also perhaps if you need a cone, you wife could make a cloth one, they works well, but are so much more comfortable. There are pattens on the net.

So glad Crystal has you to comfort her. Hope she's herself soon.

So glad the spay went well! Gracie was very sleepy when I picked her up as well, but the next day she was her normal energetic self. I couldn't believe how fast she recovered! I hope your Crystal will be the same! With the pain meds, our vet told us to give it to her the first couple of days and then after that as needed. Gracie has an inflatable pro collar that she doesn't seem to mind and wears when she is not on my lap, and then for the nighttime she wears a onesie and her inflatable pro collar. I'm paranoid and want to make sure there is no way she can get to those stiches! I've been taking her on a lot of walks to get her energy out so she doesn't want to run and jump on everything! Please keep us updated on Crystal's recovery! :)

It is nerve wracking thinking about the surgery and worrisome the day of the surgery but when its done you feel a great sense of relief that its done and your dog wont have heats or an accidental pregnancy that is all behind you and it feels good

So glad all went well with Gracie also.

Getting there
 

Last night, we split duties, I watched half the night on the floor mattress and then Irina until the morning. Crystal came 'trundling' into me, tail wagging, ears flat and with that sparkle in her eye around 8am. I had to stop her trying to jump up on my bed and despite walking with the gait of 'John Wayne' at the moment she's much better. Her pee was dark yellow (dehydrated I guess) but she's drunk well and wolfed down a special mini breakfast of egg and fish. Irina knocked up a 'quick' onsie (four leg holes) and top fastener with velcro. This morning I got her a little soft collar at our local pet store. She wants to get up to all her old tricks (jumping) and it's a struggle keeping an eye on her. The incision has healed well and she's shown no interest in getting to it yet. Only 9 days to go...:animal37

Oh, how sweet. She will probably amaze you in how fast she can get over all this. I'm sure it was much harder on you and Irina than on Crystal.

You may luck out and find that she is not inclined to lick or pull at stitches, and can go without the cone and onesie. Actually my 4 girls did not need those at all after the first day, as my vet did the stitches internally (which some do, although it takes a little more time).

We took the collar off today, she looked so relieved. We'll put it back on to sleep in though. An upgraded version of the 'onsie' was produced this afternoon! She still shows no interest in her incision and stitches.:thumbup: We paid $320 including taxes for the operation, which is on the high side I believe in England. For this sum, I was surprised the stitches were not internal myself? Like most things in this declining world for the consumer, industrial efficiency dictates over customer desire... Whilst I'm happy with the results, I still can't come to terms with the younger generations 'churning' attitude. The practice is a factory I'm afraid, individual recognition didn't exist. All done by 'text messages'.:p

I'm glad Crystal isn't bothering with her stitches. My only experience is with internal ones, even twenty years ago. It sounds like Crystal's doctor is compassionate and wonderful, but I think most communication is best done personally, especially in a time like this. Crystal is very lucky to have such a protective dad and mom, and you are pretty lucky to have such a special little one, too.

Not so good today
 

This morning she's verging on diarrhea, strange as the food was carefully selected, maybe the fish didn't suit? I'm going to give her sweet potatoes only tonight...

Update
 

From reading on other sites (not breed specific) whilst my American friends have been sleeping, it appears that very often the medication (Rimadyl 10mg doses) can upset little tums?

Crystal's fine if she sticks to her 'Organic Spelts' for brekkie and usually boiled chicken and rice (with pro-biotic) for dinner, both sprinkled with broken biccies.

As she's showing no signs of pain, I'll also hold back the last of the 4 tablets (above) the nurse passed me. In 24 hours time she's due her 'post op Vet-check visit' anyway?

I'll find out then, what they believe may be the cause and take a stool sample with me.:confuse8:

I'm sorry Crystal isn't feeling well. I think it's not unusual for diarrhea to occur due to anesthesia and other medication. You might want to try giving her a spoonful of canned pumpkin for the diarrhea. I hope she feels better soon.

:) I quite agree - it's probably the anaesthetic....

Martin - If you DO decide to give her canned pumpkin - make sure it isn't the spiced 'pie-filling' variety....I found it virtually impossible to get plain canned pumpkin 'over here', and ended up buying a whole one and cooking it....good luck!:) xx

Thanks Sall,

I also found that out last time she was a bit whoopsy. Sweet veg with boiled chicken always seems to bind her. I think the 'spey' is quite an operation actually and probably that much more difficult to ride at just over 7lbs. She's bright enough in herself, but gets tired very easily, natural enough, I suppose only 48 hours on from the scalpel!