Neutered and Licking....help!

shandrewshandrew
edited January 2008 in Shikoku Ken (四国犬)


We just got Kiba (shikoku puppy) netuered last week and he won't stop licking his sutures...he came home with a ginormous cone/e-collar, but on day 1 we discovered that he could still lick the area...and actually scratch it with the edge of the cone. So we decided to get a Bite not collar/neck brace thing (which makes him look like he got into a car accident)....but on day 2, he was still able to lick it. Then we decided to get an inflatable collar which also didn't work. We've tried different sizes of all 3 kinds of collars...right now he is using the inflatable collar and wearing baby shorts. (it's hilarious...he looks like he is going to the beach...i'll have to post pics). But this morning...we discovered that he is still licking away through the shorts. Does anyone have any tips to prevent this?


 Sidenote: maybe i'm the last person to discover this...but i'm so amazed at how complex shikoku personalities are. I've never had a dog that was so expressive of their moods. Each time we tried a new method for Kiba's licking issue, he would appear to get really upset with us....and run into the room and curl up in his bed, wide awake, and not respond to us at all for a good hour or so, as if he was acting out. We would go to check up on him...and he'd look at us like and sigh loudly, but not move until he was ready to play again. Anyway, it's just something that struck me as really interesting....and i love it!

Comments

  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    Maybe a muzzle when you aren't home to watch him? 
  • kwyldkwyld
    edited November -1
    Good idea Romi.  Make sure it's a cage muzzle if you decide to go that route, the kind that are wire NOT the mesh or cloth kind.  Leaving a mesh one on when the dog is unattended is dangerous because they can vomit and possibly aspirate.  They can still breathe ok, and drink water and everything with the cage type.  It's hard to find those in pet stores though, you might be able to order one online at www.fordogtrainers.com  
  • shandrewshandrew
    edited November -1


    Thanks for the suggestion!!...i didn't even think of a muzzle! And I'll definitely look for a cage muzzle. I think we'll probably have to use a combination of the muzzle and ecollar.


    Just wondering....how bad is licking the sutures? (a bit worried since it's been 4 days now...and the cut hasn't scabbed over - is this cause for concern?) 


    Thanks again Romi and Kelly!


  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1


    Piglet was spayed a week ago. Cones SUCK!!!There have been no visible scabs. But as I understand it,that is normal. I got so sick of watching her bump into things, that I hired a babysitter for when I wasn't home to keep her from licking.


    Kiba's stitches are likely the kind that dissolve. Most vets use those now. Licking the stitches could cause them to dissolve prematurely. He is probably fine. But you could always call your vet and ask for their input. They may also have an alternate suggestion for your cone/collar conundrum.


    I hope he heals well. 

  • ddowdemersddowdemers
    edited November -1


    Call the vet for advice.  He/she really wants to know what is going on with the healing.

  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1
    Ditto on all of it!  Glad im not needed and it is well handled!  Wink
  • shandrewshandrew
    edited January 2008


    Jessica - i totally agree with your cone comment...they do suck! I hope Piglet heals well too!! The stitches that Kiba has aren't the dissolving kind...wish they were though :(  But we are going to call the vet tomorrow if the wound gets worse...so far it looks the same, not better, but not bad.


     Thanks for all the input though!


     

  • shandrewshandrew
    edited January 2008


    Here are some pics of Kiba looking like he's going swimming with his preventative licking gear...

  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1


    Oh! Poor little guy.


    He does look like he is on his way to Daytona Spring Break! 

  • EdgewoodEdgewood
    edited November -1
    Oh my! I laughed out loud at his get up! He looks like he is a beach bum. Hopefully Kiba's stiches heal up well and he can get out of this gear.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1


    Poor guy.  Could a dog look anymore sad than that?


     

  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1
    No tail curl is a good sign=NOT a happy puppy!!!
  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    OMG!  Poor guy....i hope he feels better soon! 
  • BradA1878BradA1878
    edited November -1
    that is so funny... i mean i don't mean to laugh at him but... those pics are very funny.
  • willemwillem
    edited November -1


    Poor Kiba (for us he was called Yukio) .


    I am his breeder from Holland. The reason he keeps licking is his nature, that tells him to keep it clean.Shikoku are still very close to nature. And i guess that is my opinion , this neutering was very soon in a puppy's life. Over here in Holland we may not neutere a dog before the age of one year. So this is very soon for a pup that still needs to handle his "childhood" before getting a real male. But it is done, so we can''t turn it the other way around. Keep a close watch at him and do not put him on anything. Let him handle his case. Shikoku know what they do.


    Still after 12 years living among them they still amaze me!!! Nature takes over, believe me.


    By the way do you want the official FCI pedigree that belongs to him?? Let me know.

  • shandrewshandrew
    edited November -1


    hehehe...yah, i feel bad for poking fun at Kiba's unfortunate situation...but i just had to share...it's too funny!


    btw....it looks like the wound is getting better, so just a few more days til the stitches come out. But, he is still licking when we aren't looking - sneaky guy!!

  • ShikokuSpiritShikokuSpirit
    edited November -1


    Oh my, I love the briefs! lol.


    Poor guy, but very cute!

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