Dog home from the vets. Pair of us crying...

[mckenzie]

He's had his anal glands removed, on the advise of two vets, in the hope it will stop his scooting etc.
Operation was Tuesday morning and I bought him home about 1 hour ago.

He's crying, wandering around and not settling. Sadly, the inflatable comfy collar that I bought for him isn't enough to stop him getting to his bottom so I've had to put the hideous plastic vase thing back on.

He settled for five minutes while I sat and stroked him but as soon as I got up (I'd not sat comfortably and my legs had gone to sleep) he's back wandering around and crying.

Any tips gratefully received. It's breaking my heart.

[Wolfiefan]

Oh bless. Is he on pain meds?
Give him one of your (worn) tops to sleep with?

[mckenzie]

He's on Rimadyl, half twice daily and Synulox which I believe is the antibiotic to stop any infection.
I've just tried to lie down with him again, with my nightdress too, but he's not settling at all now.

[PenguinDi]

Boys boxers put on backwards are a lot less stressful than the cone.

I'd go back to the vets and question it as if he's in pain and the tablets aren't doing anything to help. My boy was fine the day after his op, lots of cuddles and keep an eye on the wound.

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

Does he need the toilet?

No one warned us that post-spaying, our dog would find pooing painful, but she certainly did. Feedback to the vets to say it would have been nice to be informed fell on deaf ears.

[PenguinDi]

Sorry miss read the op I thought it was the snip, he's not had his anal glands removed.

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory,and is compared to paracetamol for pain relief, so not very strong for that. It's a big surgery is it not? I would, have expected stronger pain relief like tramadol, but I'm no vet.

[mckenzie]

I spoken to the vet (or rather spoken to the receptionist who spoke to the vet) and they said it's to be expected and keep an eye on him.

I'm trying to get some small boys boxers to be able to then use those plus the comfy collar as that should give him some relief huh?
Plus I'm worried about his ears in this heat under the hideous plastic cone.

[babyblackbird]

My dog had to have a ripped claw dealt with under sedation and he was exactly as you described when he got home , he whined constantly and kept trying to get up even though he was very wobbly . In the end I got myself a cushion and sat by his bed for what felt like hours. He did eventually stop ( after about 5 hours !) I don't think he was in pain but just very disorientated and confused.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Oh, poor boy. Hope he's starting to feel better.

[Floralnomad]

I'm sorry but he should not be in so much pain that he can't settle go back and insist they give you something else for analgesia . Hope poor dog feels better later , is he managing to poo ok ?

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

My dog has had a few general anaesthetics (he's rather accident-prone) and it takes him a good 24-48 hours to get over it each time. He won't settle and cries pitifully. Eventually he crashes out and wakes up several hours later feeling much more like his normal self. Hope your ddog picks up soon

[GlitterRollerSkate]

My doggy hurt her foot and was given pain relief. She was absolutely off her rocker! She spent about 3 hours crying and wobbling around trying to get comfy. She eventually went to her bed and cried for abit long then fell asleep!

[mckenzie]

Thanks for all the posts.
I've spoken to my regular vet (her boss did the surgery) and she has confirmed that his behaviour is as she would expect. He's not crying so much now but just very restless and I wonder if the shaved area could be really annoying him (post shave day it can start to get itchy huh?)

I'm collecting some Tramadol shortly; they don't give it automatically as it can cause constipation and that's the last thing he needs with his sore bottom.
I've swapped the plastic collar for a soft one, while I'm constantly watching him.
He'll have to have the plastic one back on tonight though as he can reach his bottom in this collar if he really strains.
He's sitting by my side and seriously only calm while I'm stroking him; he's reminding me of a fractious new born.
It's going to be a long evening and night. Poor boy.

[FishChipsAndGravy]

Oh you poor things, both of you. It's heartbreaking isn't it? My dog was exactly the same after her surgery. The general anaesthetic will also be contributing to your boy generally feeling horrible, woozy and sickly. Mine cried a lot, couldn't settle, and was really clingy with me. I ended up sleeping on the floor with her.

I don't really have any advice, apart from that I'm sure give it a day or two and the anesthetic will be out of his system, the pain will have settled a bit, and he'll soon be almost back to his old self.

Try a soft collar rather than the cone, but if that's not working, you can get soft versions of the cone as well.

[KinkyAfro]

He might not be in pain, whenever my dog has been given anaesthetic she's whined and paced for hours afterwards. She was the same when she was given tramadol, it was awful

[Blackfellpony]

Anal gland removal recovery is very painful.

The ones we do stay in overnight on strong pain relief as it's so sore

[mckenzie]

Thanks for the extra posts. He had the surgery on Tuesday morning and stayed in overnight; I collected him at lunchtime today.
I've got some tramadol now but I've not given any yet as he doesn't seem to be in pain at the moment (he's watching the football with DH).

I don't know what to do tonight though, he would usually sleep downstairs, shut in back of the house (lounge/kitchen /dining area).

Shall I sleep downstairs with him?
Or Leave him in the lounge as usual but leave the doors open so that he can come to me if he need/wants me?
Or take his bed up to our bedroom?

[Floralnomad]

If you don't normally allow him in the bedroom to sleep , and won't want to long term I'd sleep downstairs with him , it's amazing how quickly they get in the habit of sleeping upstairs .

[Blackfellpony]

Ah apologies mckenzie I wondered why he was home so soon

Tramadol can space them out a bit but is a really effective pain killer.

If he makes it too the bedroom he may stay there forever
He may need to use the toilet more often so perhaps staying with him would be a good idea.

[mckenzie]

thanks guys. good points. Thankfully the sofa in the back room is big enough for me and comfy so I think I shall stay down here with him.

do I put the plastic vase collar back on so that he definitely can't get to his bottom or leave him in the soft collar in the hope that it means he gets a good night's sleep?

[Veterinari]

Tramadol is unlikely to cause constipation and is only effective as a pain killer is about 50% of dogs. It can however boost serotonin and help him feel better.

Encourage him to eat and drink, food can help him settle, and lots of cuddles and comfort

[mckenzie]

so would you recommend I give it to him now?

I've been drip feeding him roast chicken quite a bit today in between cuddles and fuss.
and he's drunk more today than he usually drinks in about 5 days. There are three bowls now (2 in the house and 1 in the garden), all raised up so he can reach with either collar on.

[Venusflytwat]

I'd give him the tramadol bless him. Hopefully it will knock him out a bit and he can rest.

[pigsDOfly]

Poor boy, this sounds so distressing.

Hope you both get some rest tonight and he's feeling better soon.