Today we enter a new stage of Chica's recovery. She has pretty much ignored the wound with it's dressing since the operation, but over the last day or so I noticed that the dressing was beginning to come off. Now this is fine, until she starts licking at the wound. So, we went for a walk this morning to the vet - her first time off the property since the op last Wednesday.
That was an exercise in frustration for both of us I am sure. For Chica the frustration was that she is desperate to run, and I won't let her, and for me the frustration is that her on leash training is pretty much being undone as she is so frustrated at only being allowed to walk. Normally I would wear her out with some ball chasing before we go for a training walk. But I digress.We saw the vet's nurse, who removed the dressing that was by now only hanging on by a corner. The wound is ok, but a little weepy, which may be because the dressing was flapping around, or it may be that Chica was licking at it. The solution?
I don't think she is very impressed with me for this.... the look she gave me was accusatory to say the least.
Chica is officially 5 months old tomorrow, and with this milestone comes the choice of whether to spay her or not. Quite frankly, one puppy is enough work, and there is no way I would consider looking after several, and then having to find homes for them! So, it was off to the vet yesterday. Chica and I walked along the road, and she was so keen to get in there that I had to laugh. She had no idea what was going to happen - but then how could she given that she has only ever had fun there.
She is now missing the essential bits for reproduction, and thus we are safe from ever having to care for a litter of puppies - phew!
We have our instructions on how to care for her, which include quiet rest for at least 36 hours, and on leash walks only for 12-14 days until her stitches come out. For anyone who has met Chica, you will understand how difficult this is going to be. She is currently a caged animal in the family room, and is doing a fair bit of whining about being confined. Thankfully the noise of the TV seems to calm her down enough for me to get out of the room without her going crazy.
