Things_We_Found

Write down all your questions. Every time you catch yourself saying, I wonder if... or I wonder what...., write it down.

Prepare, as much as possible, before the surgery. Ramps, toys, how will you get the dog in and out of the house, apartment, car and crate?

Print out the list of things we have compiled about normal versus abnormal and ask your vet about them. Ask how much panting is normal, how much whining and restlessness and for how long.

Ask about pain relief. Discuss pain medications, anti-inflammatories and sedatives with your vet before you take your dog home. Aspirin will probably not be sufficient for post-op pain, especially the first few days. Make sure you have adequate pain relievers and possibly sedatives, on hand before you take your dog home. You might also want to discuss what the side affects are for the pain pills and sedatives you are giving and when you would need to call your vet.

Read. Read about others' experiences. Join the Orthodogs list and read the archives. Ask Questions. Go ahead and tell people you're nervous about the surgery, we've been there. Everyone is very supportive.

Once you've made the decision, found your surgeon and set the date, try not to worry. It doesn't do any good to worry. It doesn't help anything or change anything. (I know, that's easier said than done). :-) Try to concentrate, instead, on getting ready. Getting your house/apartment ready, gathering toys, preparing a place for the dog to recover and keep reading. Someone always has new ideas for keeping them happy after recovery.

Find someone you can talk to about it. Whether at home or over the internet. I've found the neatest penpal from one of the Lab lists I joined and she is "walking" me through this and is a wonderful encouragement to me.

Practice. Get your ramp ready before taking the dog in and take them up and down it several times to get them used to it maybe giving the command step. It is very common for the dog to be afraid of the ramp at first. Magnum was. Since his surgery has been postponed for another week, he has had more time to get used to it and now he thinks nothing of it. Also you might want to practice with the sling if you have one or use a towel if you don't. Someone on the list said her clinic used a big black garbage bag as a sling and it worked very well. You just fold it up until it is a thin strap and put it under the dog.

I would also find out how much support you are supposed to be giving with the sling. I know Magnum really doesn't like the sling at all but I think part of the reason is because I am giving too much support. Ask your vet how to use it properly and effectively.

Do you have an e collar? Does your clinic give you one? Do you have ideas about keeping the dog from licking the incision and biting the staples? If you have an e collar or plan on buying one, you may want to practice putting it on before the dog has surgery. You may also want to look around for alternatives to an e collar. Magnum is extremely good about his collar. He does bang around with it but I don't expect he'll be quite as active after surgery. Others have suggested things like an old t-shirt over their back end, securing it around the belly, a soft collar like a round life saver or a cervical type collar.