Vet trip for my Australian Shepherd.

Sky, (full name Skyhawk -like TA4j Skyhawk airplane) had to have a Cyst that has been bothering her removed from her tail yesterday.  Yep, surgery.  I have a great vet, as in an honest vet who tells it like it is.  He doesn’t mess around.  Hard to explain, but he is not one of those vets who rushes to cut or prescribe drugs to make a killing.  As a matter of fact I brought Sky to his office last July before I had my own surgery (tendon replaced in my ankle) and he thought it best to wait till it seemed an issue for her.  Well it became an issue for her about 2 weeks ago when I noticed her constantly trying to chew at it so last Friday I went back to the vet and he agreed we should probably go ahead and remove it.

Waiting for Dr. Appt

After weighing her Steve the vet had me hold her in my lap as he gave her the injection to give her her surgery nap.  That was at noon and he told me to come back around 3pm.  At 3 she was still in the recovery cage.  A little freaked out-still waking up and probably not happy about being in a cage that reminded her of her pre-rescue life.  I sat there with her waiting for her to feel comfortable and steadier on her feet.

At about 4pm she was ready to go home.  I was told to limit her food and drink for several more hours.  She really was thirsty too.  I would let her drink a little and then have to take it away from her.  Now the dilemma!  She has to leave her tail alone so it can heal but since I live on a boat a cone around her head would just be too dangerous when she is not sleeping.

Steve told me to not bandage it as it needs air to heal but i was also concerned about the amount of dust and other dogs out here so I wanted the surgery protected from sniffing noses including her own and from the dirt and dust.  I came up with an idea.  I had an old tube sock which I had cut the elastic out of in an attempt to protect my cast when i was wearing one. I cut the other end off and was able to easily pull Sky’s tail through and then use the medical tape that sticks to itself wrapped around the top and the bottom of the sock.  The incision still gets air to heal and now it is protected.  I still have to watch her because on occasion she wants the sock off her tail understandably so.