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Post surgery

1.7K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  TNfisher  
#1 ·
Just got the call from the vet; Mocha's spay and gastropexy went well; so far no problems. We can pick her up tomorrow morning but, they told us that due to the length of the incision, Mocha can't do anything strenuous for at least 7-10 days and that includes going up and down stairs. Which may be an issue since we live in a split level house. In order to go into the living room, you have to go up 8 stairs, and to get down to the back yard, about 10 stairs off the back deck.
I guess I'll have to take off a few days from work next week so I can carry her for that period so she can go potty, I don't want my wife trying to carry a big dog like that up and down the deck stairs.

Question for some of you whose dogs had surgery: how did you manage to keep them semi-still? The vet suggested strict supervision and crating when unable to supervise, and putting a leash on her when going potty to prevent any running or jumping.

Any suggestions/advice/tips for post surgery care are more than welcome!
 
#2 ·
Same situation when our boy had his obstruction surgery. Honestly he bounced back SO fast! I leashed him outside for every potty break and discouraged play inside the house. Lots and lots of bones and stuffed kongs kept him occupied and he was at his prime naughty stage, 8 months old.

He got on and off the couch just fine but that was the only thing he was allowed to climb on. Thankfully we have no stairs. He was kind of lazy for 36 hours once we brought him home but by day 3 I had to work to keep him content.

He wasn't given a cone and didn't bother his stitches as all.

Hugs and ear scratches to Mocha. She will heal fast :)
 
#5 ·
I wish we had no stairs; we'll figure it out even if I have to take all of next week off to carry her up and down.

We crated and leashed, and with gastropexy my vet wanted a lot of restriction on stretching, especially upwards (like jumping up on you, jumping up on the couch, etc.) for a lot longer. Richter had a gastropexy because he had a retained testicle, and we really restricted his all out running for quite a few weeks because he really doesn't self limit at all. He was pretty much crated because he was NOT good about taking it easy.
You're right, she did emphasize the no stretching or any kind of movement that would put pressure on the stomach area. Mocha is pretty chill (most of the time) and has no problem lazing around. We'll just have to really keep eyes on her at all times, my biggest worry is if someone comes to the door and she tries to run down the stairs and, she's used to jumping up and putting her paws on our bed every morning when the alarm goes off (our bed is a good 3 feet off the floor).

Ha ha it feels so weird with her gone. I'm so used to having her by my side wherever I go and whatever I do.
 
#3 ·
We crated and leashed, and with gastropexy my vet wanted a lot of restriction on stretching, especially upwards (like jumping up on you, jumping up on the couch, etc.) for a lot longer. Richter had a gastropexy because he had a retained testicle, and we really restricted his all out running for quite a few weeks because he really doesn't self limit at all. He was pretty much crated because he was NOT good about taking it easy.
 
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#8 ·
Wow, good news! W/ respect to the incision healing: Yeah, our Sheriff had a bowel reconstruction a few years ago after removing a blockage. Between intestinal sutures, stomach sutures and the skin stapling (crotch to sternum), restricted activity was the order of the week. If Mocha is on a pain med, like Tramadol, she probably won't give a darn. That stuff knocks pups down pretty well.

We have LOTS of stairs. 60 from the street to our main floor.I live on a steep hill. At first I carried him, but eventually it was the "slow but steady wins the race" walk. Worked out fine.
I just watched for tearing or leaking.

So... sending thoughts your way for her quick recovery....

Oh, if she is on Tram or a similar pain med, she may want to drink and pee more than normal. That has been my experience.

John
Portland
 
#10 ·
Home safe and sound. The vet said as far as stairs go, as long as we have her on leash and control how fast she goes up and down, it's ok. The big no-no is her normal way of going up and own the stairs, which is always at breakneck speed. Just to be safe, I'll carry her up and down the first few days. I have vacation days (it's good to be a federal employee lol) so I'll stay home most of next week.
 
#11 ·
Everything looks good so far. No excessive swelling or discoloration. She's eating and drinking normally (we were advised to give her 4 small portions per day), the only abnormal thing I've noticed is that her stool is on the soft side (softer than normal) but knowing her and how sensitive she is, I'm thinking it's due to the surgery and the combination of the pain meds and abnormal feeding schedule. If it continues I'll check with the vet to make sure. Still can't believe how stoic and resilient she is. If that was me with an 8-inch incision in my belly, I'd be laying in bed, whining, and asking for morphine :) She's acting normal like nothing ever happened.
 
#15 ·
When Mika had her spay surgery, she had to be kept still for about a week. And that was the longest one week ever as she's usually so hyper. Here's some of the things I did:
1. Whenever she goes to potty in the backyard, I put a leash on her and walk with her until she's done.
2. Check her stitches daily to make sure there's no blood etc.
3. Try to avoid walking the stairs or going on couches/beds for at least the first few days. If she had to walk the stairs, put a leash on her and make her walk slowly- one step at a time.
4. Since vet suggest to not let her jump on sofas and beds, we basically did a small re-arrangements in the living room. We turn the sofa towards the wall, so that she can't jump on it (neither can we lol). And we took the queen bed mattress from the guest room and put it in the living room floor for her to lay down. We still did play daily but just some short distance fetch (not on the first few days though). And some short distance walk around the block, because when she doesn't release her pent up energy, she will run around the house crazy.
5. Crate her if you can't supervise her. Or if you have any spare room with no beds or chairs that she can jump on, you can put her in that room with her bed when you had to go out.
6. I believe a good diet is crucial for a speedy recovery, so feeding some extra supplements or food to strengthen her body.
 
#16 ·
Luckily Mocha isn't a hyper dog by nature so she's having no problem taking it easy. I've started letting her walk down the deck stairs, on a leash, very slowly, step by step and bonus, she's learned a new command, "slow." I'm still picking her up and carrying her back up the stairs but my back is starting to complain...I've had a bad back since hurting it lifting weights in my early 20's and 30 years later, well, those of you with bad backs know what it's like :rolleyesww:.

I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow because 1. her stool is still pretty soft and 2. she whines from time to time. Otherwise she's acting normal and I'm sure she's feeling some discomfort from having her stomach tacked, the spay, plus the incision in her belly but, I'd rather have the vet double check to make sure everything is mending and coming along as it should.