Worried after spay!

[csgregg]

This is my first dog, so I may be overreacting. I know this is long, but I would really appreciate some feedback, because this is killing me.

My puppy is 5 months and was spayed this past Friday. We brought her home that evening, and she was very sleepy (we expected that). The next day, she was very slow, but more normal. Sunday, she was almost 100% normal again, and we started to restrict her - taking her out on a leash, crating her a little more when she was getting hyper, etc. The Dr had given her carprofen to take at home, and told us to not let her jump on anything or run, and to give her 2 weeks to recuperate.

On Monday, I worked so she was crated all day, and restricted but out in the evening. On Tuesday, she was again crated all day and when I got home that afternoon, I noticed a large lump, about the size of an egg, off to the side of the incision site. I immediately called the vet and made a work-in appt for an hour later.

The vet said it is a seroma, basically fluid buildup, and said we were letting her do too much. She asked me if I "clearly understood the meaning of the term bed-rest." I explained that while "I" do, my puppy does not. And aside from crating her 24/7, I don't know how else to keep her from moving around. We were already keeping her on a leash, but she said that was not sufficient. She said that we should crate her completely for two weeks, only coming out to potty on a leash. I don't know why she didn't tell to 99% crate BEFORE, and give us the Tramadol BEFORE, since she knows that Maggie is a high-energy dog, and at a higher risk of being too active.

She gave us Tramadol and Clavamox, and said the seroma would re-absorb. It doesn't appear to be any smaller, but I don't know how fast the re-absorption is supposed to happen.

It's been two days, and the Tramadol doesn't help very much. She is so upset about being in her crate that she's going wild in there, even with the Tramadol. She's crying and howling and then SCREAMING. This is just MISERABLE. I am so afraid that she thinks that we are punishing her, and that this is going to affect her. It's been two days, and I have to do this for TWO WEEKS??? I've tried to sit down and play with her calmly on the floor, but she's just wanting to go crazy and jump around and I'm afraid she's going to make it worse. This is absolutely BREAKING MY HEART. I'm sitting here crying as I type, listening to her.

Is this the right thing to do?? It doesn't feel like it, but I want to do what is healthy for her.
Please tell me what to do!

[LILYLARUE]

My vet gives Lily Vallium after any surgery knowing that it will be hard to keep a boxer down. Tramadol is only for pain and has an anti-imflammatory in it. So it's not gonna do much for relaxing her. Maybe ask the vet to give that since she is so rambunxious in the crate. I can see the dogs stress being more of a factor than dosing her with a downer and letting her settle beside you on the couch. JMO.

Kinda sounds like the vet is a bit ignorant on the breed. LOL And I certainly would have spoke my mind to her comments. Is there another vet in the office you could see that understands the energy level of a boxer?

When I was searching for a replacement vet, I asked them how many boxers they have as patients and do they understand they have a higher level of energy than most breeds. Do they use ACE on any breeds? Are they open to pro-active pet owners and listen with an open mind?

What you have to remember is that YOU PAY THEM for their knowledge and experience, BUT YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER THE SERVICES! If they don't listen, acknowledge your concerns and address in a open-minded fashion, then off to another vet I go!

[Gatorblu]

I'm thinking you should see another vet as well. Arabella is a crazy girl and I didn't need to crate her after her spay. And I also quit giving her the pain meds after 36 hours so she would feel the discomfort and slow down. I know for her if I gave her tramadol you would have been more active. Since she does have the sweelng and does need to stay extremely calm, I would look into getting Valium or something. Just remember that you don't want to give Acepromaine or ACE. It can negatively boxers. I know some doctors prescribe it as a sedative. So take a deep breath, and try to relax. Do a search for reviews for your local vets and see if you maybe could find one that will understand and be a little more compassionate.

[Sablegirl]

I've had poodles in the past that were hyper as well as a black lab. Labs are very active as well...none of them received any pain meds after being spayed weren't crated any more than usual. Trying to keep them from jumping and running was next to impossible but we walked them on a leash and when at home with them gave them things to occupy their mind and cuddled with them as much as possible. Your vet doesn't sound like one I would want to go to any longer. Both our boxers were already spayed when we adopted them but quite frankly even though boxers are high energy I do believe one of the poodles I had and the lab were just as active.