Back to work after dog operation

[Southeast15]

How long after your dog having a major operation with stitches would you wait until returning to work? I’m feeling incredibly guilty and worrying like mad about leaving her. Knowing how others have dealt with this would be a great help.

[BiteyShark]

I am very fortunate in that I have been able to work from home after his operations which have taken around 10-14 days before the stitches came out.

Where are the stitches? If they can be totally covered with a medical suit I would be less worried than leaving her with a cone simply because my dog can undo vets hard cones.

[Southeast15]

She’s got a coat thing on as the plasters the vet gave us have fallen off and won’t stick. Work aren’t very understanding about my dog but she’s everything to me. I feel stuck knowing what to do for the best

[BiteyShark]

What was the operation for? Could she relapse if you wasn't around or was it more of a routine op?

How long ago was it? The longer it was the less chance of any complications?

Can she get to the wound? How is she with cones? Where wound she stay when you are at work? How long would she be on her own?

Can you ask or pay (wondering whether dog walkers would do a visit) for anyone to come in and do a check on her?

I totally understand that I am in a great situation to be able to work from home. In fact I was discussing what I would do if I wasn't and I guess I would have to use annual leave or unpaid leave. Would that be a possibility until she has mostly recovered?

[Southeast15]

A possible chance of relapse and the operation was Friday. She won’t get to the wound but I just hate having to leave her.
I’m tempted to ask for the week off but I’m in a new job where pet problems aren’t relatable.
I think I’m just really stressed at the timing and can’t make a clear decision what to do for the best

[tabulahrasa]

Depends tbh, on what the op was for, the wound, the dog, where it’s being left, how long for... stuff like that.

[LEMtheoriginal]

Really depends on the op. How she is recovering. Was she unwell?

As a vet nurse id be happy if you told me she was bright and eating well and not able to get to her stitches.

What do you usually do about leaving het? Could you hire somebody to check on her at lunch time?

[Southeast15]

Hi, thanks for the comments, she’s eating well and wagging her tail. I have a dog walker that comes to take her out for two hours, she’s going to be popping by twice while I’m at work and she can’t go out. The op was to remove a fatty lump next to her armpit, the vet thought it might be nasty and recommended removing it

[LEMtheoriginal]

Honestly she will be fine. Like you say she probably cant exercise due to position of lump but in all honesty from what you say she will be absolutely fine x

[Southeast15]

Thank you for the reassurance, I’m such a worrier about her x

[user1471465525]

Your have someone checking on her ,don't worry she will be fine .I got a camera that I could keep an eye on dog when I was out ,maybe you get one to put your mind are ease

[user1471465525]

You not your

[tabulahrasa]

Yeah, I’d totally leave her... um, I’d not class that as a major op tbh...

I mean, I get that she’s your dog and obviously you’re worried about her so I don’t mean it in a dismissive way, but other than it being in an awkward place, that’s not a big op, she’s from what you say doing fine and she’ll be getting checked on.

[BiteyShark]

Agree with everyone else. For a fatty lump, can't get to the wound and is well in herself then I would risk it especially as you have someone popping in to check up on her.

[Southeast15]

Thank you for the advice, it’s really lovely that you’ve all taken the time to reply. She’s been ok today but I only worked half a day, a full day tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll be fine, it’s just me that worries.