Toby the Puppy Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Toby was neutered (abdominal incision) on Friday. He was fine until Monday when I noticed a slight swelling alongside the incision. There was no redness, discharge or heat from the area so I decided to wait and see what it looked like this morning. When I checked him this morning the swelling was slightly larger but now hard so I took him in to be checked. They don't think it is infection but gave him some antibiotics anyways to be safe. They also gave me Acepromazine to give him at home because they feel he is being too active and that is what is causing the swelling. I searched this site to see what experiences others have had with this drug. Most of the posts seemed to be about tranquilizing a panicking dog but this isn't the case with Toby, he just needs to slooooow down a bit and rest which isn't in his nature. I am on the fence about tranquilizing him, why can't he just rest in his crate? On the other hand if he is in his crate for too long he goes stir crazy and I don't want that for him either. The vet left it up to me and they even gave me some 'natural' relaxants to try if I want to (I don't really know what is in them). I am so confused and don't really know what to do. Does anyone have any experience with using this drug to slow down a very active dog after surgery? Thanks Robyn & Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Stuffed frozen kongs will give him something to do while he is in his crate. Take his regular food, soak it in water or broth 'til it's mushy, stuff it in a kong toy and freeze it until it is solid. If you have 2-3 kongs, you can just give him his meals this way while he is on crate rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 I won't use ace. What ace does is prevent the dog's limbs from moving without affecting the mind at all. Bad for a dog who's scared, as you probably read, but I don't like it for general tranquilizing either. There are better drugs for that, like valium. I would use the crate and try natural calming remedies. The kong idea is a good one, as is simply teaching him a bunch of silly pet tricks (using his mind to learn the tricks will wear him out faster than physical exercise). J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 My Jack recently had a terrible time with Ace. I really wouldn't recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelb'smum Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Shelby had the same issue where the incesion just swelled up for no apart reason.... Well ok!! she was moving around a little more the she should have been.... BUT I took her back to the vet and he had FORGOTTEN to tell me that a little swelling around it happens to some dogs when the muscles heal up from being cut, and its just some kind of fluid that will go away in a few days. and when I want Wicket and Shelby to be busy without running all over I go to petsmart and get on of the BIG knuckle bones and give each one. they will lay there for HOURS just gnawing away This isn't what I get them But close! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby the Puppy Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks everyone. I have decided to not use the Ace and try the natural relaxant. So far it isn't doing much though. The kong idea is a good one but the only problem is that he is wearing a very large e-collar. If he has something in his mouth he can't hold it with his front paws and vice versa if it is in his paws he can't get his mouth on it. So I am holding his bone for him while he chews but I can't do that all the time. I am keeping him tied up in the livingroom with me (4'ft leash) or in his crate. Hopefully that will be enough to help him heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Why can't you take the e-collar off while he has the kong/bone? If he is being supervised he probably won't hurt his sutures much... Some swelling is normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCjetta Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Are the stitches under the skin or do they have to be removed? Some animals can get a reaction to the sutures and a hardish lump forms along the incision line. It doesn't bother the dog to feel it at all. Usually it will stay there for about a week and then go down. As long as the incision line isn't looking red/irritated/oozy I wouldn't worry too much about it. Also, if he's trying to lick, make sure the edge of the cone isn't rubbing against the incision because that could irritate it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby the Puppy Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 BCjetta: The stitches are external and need to be removed so maybe this is what the swelling is from. The e-collar is really large, they had put a smaller one on him but he got his long nose around the edge and was able to lick. When he turns to try and lick the edge of the collar is not near the incision at all so that isn't a problem. 2 Devils: I have tried to take the e-collar off for short periods and even while chewing a bone he is constantly turning to lick himself. There is no way I can take the collar off him unless I am sitting right there with him and that isn't possible during the day because I work (home office). In the evenings I do sit with him to make sure he doesn't lick. The vet and the tech did say they weren't overly concerned about the swelling but gave him the antibiotics and Ace just to be safe. I am giving the antibiotics but not the Ace. I am trying a 'natural relaxant' but it doesn't work very well for him. He is quiet in his crate right now so that is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyoBC Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I would think that you could take the collar off when you were watching him so he could chew on a bone or a kong. That way he couldn't lick the incision if you were watching him. I hope the little puppy starts to feel better, and the swelling goes away. ETA: Ok, I guess we posted at the same time. So I'm not much help after all What about a t-shirt on him? If it would go past the incision that might help? Maybe, maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Try putting a tshirt on him so he can't get to the incision. The thing probably itches. I guess I never really see much wrong with a little licking. His a few days past surgery so if he licked himself a little it wouldn't do much harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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