Cone Super

Posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 pm

My dog just got neutered, should we make him use the cone?

My dog just got neutered yesterday. Of course afterwards he was super tired and grumpy. He didn't claw the e-collar the vet had already placed on him. After a while, he seemed clearly mad and upset and started scratching the cone. He calmed down a bit and I left him to just go get some food in the kitchen. I then hear whimpers and when I come out, the damn cone is off of him.
I guess now it's just off. He hasn't licked or even bit at the stitches but I'm still hesitating whether or not I should put it back on. Does it all depends?
And plus, when I even attempt to put it on him, he snaps and growls to the point where he wants to bite me. He sure hates that stupid cone.
It's getting late and I need to sleep. I don't think I can continue to watch him and yell at him when he's about to.. you know, bother the stitches down there.

SO, should I put it on him or just risk it? I don't even know.

The vet recommends the dog wears the cone until the stitches come out, but if your dog isn't interested in licking or biting the stitches he doesn't need to wear it. If he does start to lick them, put it back on. Right now the most important thing for your dog is to rest and recover from surgery, if the cone is going to stress him out more, take it off. My dog wasn't interested in his stitches at all, some dogs just aren't, if he isn't interested now, he might not be later. Most dogs start licking because they are feeling some pain down there, but if he was sent home with pain meds, it is just a very pain tolerant dog, I wouldn't worry about it.

Maybe set your alarm a few times in the night to check on him. If you would feel better with it on overnight, it won't hurt.