I agree with Joan, Margaritaville, do not fret that Crystal has not had a bowel movement. My Teddy has had diarrhea a couple of times. He took 48 hours before producing anything after the diarrhea stopped. I was nervous the first time and took him to the vet, but the doctor reassured me that it was perfectly normal.

Sending best wishes to Crystal.

Margarita like is correct- nothing in, nothing out. Medically, constipation isn't defined by the frequency of bowel movements, but instead their consistency. If her bowel movements are dry, hard or difficult to pass then you would call it constipation and treat it accordingly.

Now, let me say this as clearly as I can. You did NOT ruin a perfectly good dog. You are being a responsible, loving pet owner. Your love for Crystal has been evident from your first post and no one here doubts that for a second. Hugs to you both.

Oh DocMartin, (I love your show by the way), I think it absolutely wonderful you love your little baby so, what a lucky little girl!

Full of beans!
 

Thanks everyone for the good wishes and sound advice. I'm sure I'd have gone nuts this week without you all! We went 'stony shopping' today, not much conversation, then Irina apologized and said 'it was my woory for leetle Creestell and I hit out wizout zinking - Ian verrry sorrry' - (she's Russian by the way!) She added I was a wonderful dad and then a lot of stuff about her 'ex' never bothering when her lovely Airedale went missing for 3 days once, or jabs ever etc etc. So normal service within the domestic front has now been resumed.

Back on the poop watch we had two very hard little pellets after her normal brekkie of 50g from an organic lamb tray (similar to Caesar) and crushed kibble. Since she's only had a little more chicken, but with rice this time (about a handful in total). As she seems to be improving, thought I'd re-introduce her normal diet only this evening - (but no treats etc for another week). We thought to let her get back to her normal inside floor display gymnastic disciplines on Friday! (ten days in from op). Stitches are coming out the following Monday (a week today) I took her out this morning and she just couldn't understand why Dad wasn't letting her off the leash? Boy did she enjoy it though and showed no signs of fatigue. However we only went 10 minutes each way for the first time.:animal37

I can only tell you that I have had many dogs over some 50+ years and not one female ever had an incontinence problem at any age and all my female pets have been spayed.

There are a wide range of post op experiences, however. Of course over the years techniques have changed quite a bit and it seems to me cats and dogs recover much more quickly these days with a far smaller incision. A lot depends on your vet and what method they use and just how skilled they are at surgeries. It is really important to have a vet that is well experienced with small breed dogs and who has a great success record.

Maybe Doris had a prejudice about spaying? Seems like a very odd comment to make to someone who is picking up their baby after such a surgery.

Usually the worst of these events is the dog coming out of the anesthesia. Some dogs have more of a problem than others. Gracie was such a sad looking little girl when we brought her home a few hours after her surgery. All she wanted to do was sleep. The next day she was much improved and the next day we would not convince her she had surgery!

I'm sure your girl has forgiven you and it was well worth one day of sadness in order to never have to worry about going into heat again. :)

My vet told me not to let Cookie jump until the stitches were out. Did your vet say it was OK for her?

The Vet wasn't specific, however now 'Glasnost' has broken out in the home:), we've decided for the sake of a week now, jumpings our still the stitches are out! Tonight after a short walk she's hyper active, more small firm poo's, but still piddling on the floor every other go?

Did the vet tell you to give her Benadryl to help her settle down? It did not work for my girls last week so we moved up to Xanax, which didn't work either. It was the most difficult week with them since I got the puppies. Since they were not in any pain they just wanted to play, run and jump so I had to keep them crated FAR more than I normally would. I hope for a speedy recovery for your baby!

Hello and thank you. The Vet never mentioned specific resons for taking the Rymadyl, so we presumed it was a pain killer. She's bouncing off the walls here tonight too and the diarrhea seems over too. She's now a real problem to stop jumping (or leaping would be a closer description) up to everything in range...:)

Thank you, I think she understands:lightbulbDad's her best friend sometimes:), and certainly seems to listen carefully to my monologues when I tell her about her care and needs.

Ask your vet about the Benadryl. I'm not sure what dose you would give your baby, as I don't know her size. I think I was spitting a .5mg tablet for the two of them. Did you say she was spayed last Tuesday? How long did the vet say she has to be still? We were done on July 3rd and back to normal activity now (well, they were back in a week because I couldn't keep them still either). I had them done with the laser and was told 10 days. The medication she gave you is a pain reliever and helps with infection. I definitely feel your pain......I have had to keep two as still as possible....no fun!

Where I live the vets have used self-absorbing stitches for several years now. I have noticed how much more quickly my pets and temporary residents have recovered since the change to this type of incision closure.

I still think your baby will recover well. Stress can often cause potty accidents in these dogs. Just reward her richly when she does pee on the right spot and she will be back to her normal potty habits quickly. I find rewarding good behavior works much better than scolding for less than perfect actions.

Gracie acted like she never had surgery by the 4th day out. I may be considered a neglectful mom but we never used a post op collar or even a onesy. She was with me almost every minute of her recovery and licked the site very little. We have fairly low furniture so if she jumped up it was not a huge deal and I would put her back down when she was ready to get off. I didn't want to stress her by confining her or having to scold her if she was just acting as her usual self. She did fine. I think most animals are pretty smart and won't push themselves beyond what they feel up to. Since Gracie's incision was very secure it was really not an issue. I know with the stitches that have to be removed there is somewhat more of a chance of pulling a stitch though unlikely under normal conditions.

I'm sure Crystal is getting the best of care with both her dad and mom home to care for her.

Gracie, she's back to her normal self today. No piddles, poo (oh rejoice) lovely little firm chipolatas, I did a jig this morning upon such a presentation. Much to her enjoyment she joined in laughing away, because Crystal really does laugh! Her Mom thought we'd both gone mad!

We had a lovely walk along the promenade (on the spool lead) and she was running for all her worth. I was tempted to let her off for a full belt on the sands, but I'm so paranoid at the moment that I kept her restrained.

Only five days till the stitches go and we can go chasing and exploring again. Also unrestrained jumping onto my bed can resume and those sad eyes, as liberty's restraint is imposed, will fade to memory.

Not that I needed it, but this sojourn has really reinforced my determination to completely enjoy every one of our moments together.:)

So glad to hear that little Crystal is on the mend!!

That sounds like a wonderfull plan. And forego unless you are really really sure the wound is totally closed a free run on the sand.... Those little gritty molecule can get into a whole lot of things.

I never thought to ask but have you been using an enzymatic cleaner on her pee spots? If not you should invest in some and get the urine smell out.

You do sound much happier and relived, and hope now that you and your gal can have lots of summertime fun together.