Quote: Connie Sutherland

Restlessness and anxiety that are tied to narcotics ..... yeah, I bet she will benefit from having you right there, right in nose-zone

I'm big on pain control, but I just wanted to mention that two days later (like tomorrow), you might want to discuss using tramadol with the vet and see if Rose's mental state and ability to rest improves.

I can attest to what Connie's saying there too.

A little bed time story, just in case you're not sleeping.

I guess it's almost a year ago now; they knocked Vince out to take some fairly invasive x-rays, looking for trauma. The stuff they used had a morphine base.

He's not vocal either but when I got him home, he cried all night. Whining and that breathing whimper you're talking about. He did a lot of pawing too, kind of like asking me to make it go away.

It just broke my heart thinking he was in some kind of extraordinary pain. I didn't sleep a wink. Him in a cushy open crate and me on the floor beside him, all night.

I didn't give him breakfast that morning and he wouldn't eat a thing that night.

The next morning he was a different dog. The crying stopped and he was hungry. I was exhausted.

Yup, narcotics can really mess dogs up when given in fairly high doses like that.

We went onto prednisone which reduced his inflammation but I would seriously think about Connie's recommendation.

In a hospital, where everything is confusing anyway, is one thing but being on familiar territory with all that wooziness seems to cause them a bit of heightened distress.

Sweet dreams Chip, if you get a chance and really hoping for a good day for Rose tomorrow.

Chip, you and Rose have been on my mind, and I'm really glad to hear that things are progressing in a positive direction, although I realize it's still really tough on both of you. I can't add anything to the excellent suggestions you've already gotten. I just want to say I am sending good wishes to you for continued improvement. Hang in there, Rose!

Thank you. She's a tough girl, she's doing really well today, except for non-stop panting. No pain episodes since early am. She's now decided that the cone is going to hurt her and is yelping in anticipation when I go to put in on... so I haven't! I took her to work with me today, and just kept an eye on her. She's found a little interest in the drain/bandage/sutures but stops messing with them upon corrections. I'm hoping I can get her to wear it through the night though -I was a basket case today!

My high point of the day was her bringing me a tug from her toy box. I still marvel at how strong dogs can be! A human who went through all this would not feel like playing today!

 Quote: Chip Bridges

Thank you. She's a tough girl, she's doing really well today, except for non-stop panting. No pain episodes since early am. She's now decided that the cone is going to hurt her and is yelping in anticipation when I go to put in on... so I haven't! I took her to work with me today, and just kept an eye on her. She's found a little interest in the drain/bandage/sutures but stops messing with them upon corrections. I'm hoping I can get her to wear it through the night though -I was a basket case today!

My high point of the day was her bringing me a tug from her toy box. I still marvel at how strong dogs can be! A human who went through all this would not feel like playing today!

What a good report, Chip!

Do you have any alternatives to the cone?

BTW, has she re-discovered food? Poop OK?

Have you given tramadol? (Panting post-surgery is generally pain or G.A. after-effect, and there are clues as to which. I'll see if I can find you some material on this.)

Awesome news!!

Several years ago I had my 6 y/o Border Collie spayed/mammary tumors removed. I brought her home that night and she looked/acted like death warmed over. I felt horrid. But within 24 hours she was much improved and by the end of the 10 days worth of activity restriction it was work to keep her from overdoing it.

So hopefully that will be the case for Rose too!!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

... (Panting post-surgery is generally pain or G.A. after-effect, and there are clues as to which. I'll see if I can find you some material on this.)

http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/advice/dogs/462-panting-in-dogs-normal-after-surgery.htm



http://www.sarahsdogs.com/qa/is-panting-in-dogs-normal-after-surgery/

Scroll down to the last two paragraphs.




http://www.justanswer.com/dog-health/3yp7e-cause-excessive-post-operative-panting-dog.html



http://www.vsoak.com/web/images/stories/pdf/Frequently%20asked%20questions.pdf

Scroll down to “Panting – Is It Normal or Not?”



http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/tplo-normal.html

Scroll down to the first asterisk

I've been lucky to have dogs that haven't really been too interested in their surgical incisions and have never had to use a cone, but I have in the past put a large man's button-down shirt on a Dobie. Rose is obviously much wider in the chest so I don't know how it would work for her, plus I don't know if you could manipulate her legs into the arm holes without hurting her. Cutting the sleeves off would probably make it easier. And I don't know if she's the kind of dog who would wear clothing without getting upset about it. Seems like there must be something you can improvise that would wrap loosely around her to keep her from licking or chewing on the sutures. I'm just thinking out loud here....maybe someone else will have some other ideas.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

I've been lucky to have dogs that haven't really been too interested in their surgical incisions and have never had to use a cone, but I have in the past put a large man's button-down shirt on a Dobie. Rose is obviously much wider in the chest so I don't know how it would work for her, plus I don't know if you could manipulate her legs into the arm holes without hurting her. Cutting the sleeves off would probably make it easier. And I don't know if she's the kind of dog who would wear clothing without getting upset about it. Seems like there must be something you can improvise that would wrap loosely around her to keep her from licking or chewing on the sutures. I'm just thinking out loud here....maybe someone else will have some other ideas.

I've seen an infant nightie on a small dog and a man's t-shirt on a big dog ..... both nice soft material, too.

Why did I not think of this!?! I can and will at least fashion something until her drains come out Monday. It won't help the gauze bunching, but a trip to CVS tomorrow (rather than part it together from my 1st aid kit) is nothing. She'll be WAY better with me doing this at home than taking her in. I think if I can get the old one off without hurting her -and no reason I shouldn't -I can tape new gauze and a backward Tshirt on. Should I put a triple antibiotic on the incisions? Anything besides the obvious?

No need to put any ointment on the incisions, they are better dry. Your dog may be more comfortable without "clothes" of any type. The incision that opened post op may have been under tension, trying to close skin a little too tight, so there may be pulling which causes pain and irritation. The skin will stretch over time.
I would try to go with no narcotic, no collar, no bandage. Then add back what you need. Just rest, time with you, small meals, a quiet home, clean sheet on the couch.Let her drains drain away from her body onto a clean surface. She may lick where she was laying more than she licks herself if you watch her. Watch for "rash" from clipper burn and where the hair grows back in. A little prednisone in "arm pits" and "leg pits" can quiet this down, but you can't smear this all over incisions as it slows healing.
I wish you the best.