8/20, Bell, AMPS 286, +2 240, +4 256

[Seth&Bell]

Yesterday

Bell's recovering from her 2nd anal gland rupture, which is detailed on the main forum (gross picture warning):
Anal Gland Rupture Thread

I have an open question in there about using Animax, which is a topical cream/steroid they gave me for her wound.

Yesterday was super stressful for the both of us, so we are recovering from that today. I'm really tired. Bell has a bunch different meds to get in/on her at this time (Tramadol, Animax, Clavamox, Cosequin, Insulin, Probiotics, Pepcid) so that has been a struggle. She is such a trooper.

Her numbers have been high, so I upped her dosage to 2.25. Maybe the infection is driving her numbers up. Maybe the Animax is? Or maybe we just haven't found the right dosage yet, after her being super reactive to very small doses early on. Right now I need to get the infection/rupture healed up so she can get out of her cone. I'm also reallllly hoping she doesn't get diarrhea again with the antibiotics.

I should have results from the culture they took in about a week, so they can pick a more effective antibiotic if needed.

Thanks so much again for all the support from this place, it is truly wonderful.

 

[Seth&Bell]

 

[Staci & Ivy]

View attachment 70827

Is Bell ok with that cone? Is it cardboard? Or is it a soft fabric cone? Sending you both many hugs. Such a sweet girl and a real trooper

We are sending you lots of healing vibes and good wishes and warm hugs

 

[Seth&Bell]

I am still using a big cardboard cone/wreath haha. I’ve gone through a few other ones that didn’t work. Just picked up this one to try:

And I have one from Amazon coming tomorrow.

She is most comfortable (and can’t reach her behind) in the cardboard one, but I worry she might fall while jumping with it. Hopefully one of the two new ones work.

The rupture looks to be healing well so that’s good!

The vet also called back and said the topical steroid (Animax) should not affect her BG.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I am still using a big cardboard cone/wreath haha. I’ve gone through a few other ones that didn’t work. Just picked up this one to try:

View attachment 70830

And I have one from Amazon coming tomorrow.

She is most comfortable (and can’t reach her behind) in the cardboard one, but I worry she might fall while jumping with it. Hopefully one of the two new ones work.

The rupture looks to be healing well so that’s good!

The vet also called back and said the topical steroid (Animax) should not affect her BG.

That looks pretty hard. She may be pretty unhappy but you will know pretty quickly.
I’m just putting my two cents in because last year Ivy broke her leg and had to have surgery. I needed a cone for about two months to keep her from licking or chewing at her incision site so it was really an ordeal. I ended up ordering several different soft cones on Amazon, I think she handled them better than a harder one which was more uncomfortable around her face.

Of course you know what’s best for Bell but I’m just trying to offer additional options. I’ll include a picture of what I used for Ivy.

https://a.co/d/1KZkziL
https://a.co/d/36vgfFP

 

[Seth&Bell]

That looks pretty hard. She may be pretty unhappy but you will know pretty quickly.
I’m just putting my two cents in because last year Ivy broke her leg and had to have surgery. I needed a cone for about two months to keep her from licking or chewing at her incision site so it was really an ordeal. I ended up ordering several different soft cones on Amazon, I think she handled them better than a harder one which was more uncomfortable around her face.

Of course you know what’s best for Bell but I’m just trying to offer additional options. I’ll include a picture of what I used for Ivy.
View attachment 70831
https://a.co/d/1KZkziL
https://a.co/d/36vgfFP

Ah thanks so much, that looks ideal! The one coming tomorrow from Amazon looks similar, but if that doesn’t work I will try the first one you linked. I’m trying to find one that is wide enough not to push her whiskers up but also one that prevents her from reaching back there. Oddly, none of the pet stores around me have carried any soft cones, just ones geared for small dogs…

Ivy’s been through so much!

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Ah thanks so much, that looks ideal! The one coming tomorrow from Amazon looks similar, but if that doesn’t work I will try the first one you linked. I’m trying to find one that is wide enough not to push her whiskers up but also one that prevents her from reaching back there. Oddly, none of the pet stores around me have carried any soft cones, just ones geared for small dogs…

Ivy’s been through so much!

I had the same problem. No local stores had what I needed. And I had no time to go out shopping I was dealing with the complete chaos in my house with Ivy. It was a bad scene.
And that hospital sent me home with a hard plastic cone that was impossible to get on or off. And charged me $70 for the pleasure of throwing it right in my trash can.
I was livid they thought that was an acceptable solution.
I hope Bell will recover quickly!!

 

[Seth&Bell]

Pretty much the exact same with me! I hate buying things and tossing them but I’m having to go that route. I used the hard plastic cone they gave me last rupture but I think it really strained Bell’s poor whiskers. I don’t want to put her through that again.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Pretty much the exact same with me! I hate buying things and tossing them but I’m having to go that route. I used the hard plastic cone they gave me last rupture but I think it really strained Bell’s poor whiskers. I don’t want to put her through that again.

I’d use your cardboard cutout until you get a softer cone.
I don’t get why they don’t just have the right thing on hand at the hospital. I mean charge me for it but send me home with something actually helpful and usable!!!