Did you ever see such a sad face? He makes me feel so guilty when he looks at me like that, pleading with me to take this horrible cone off, but it has to stay on at least until Wednesday when we go back to the vet. It's to stop him reaching his tail and chewing at it - that's what started this course of action.
Overnight he had made a real mess of his tail which necessitated the trip to the vet, where he had to undergo a thorough cleaning, antiseptic spray and the indignity of being muzzled and held by one vet assistant while the vet did the deed. It was obviously very painful and he protested loudly. I had been sent out to the waiting room and was cringing at the howls. I'm not looking forward to taking him back on Wednesday!
While he was adjusting to 'life with a cone' yesterday, he was crashing into chair legs (I've now moved the furniture around to give him more turning space) and finding it difficult to assess the gap through the partially opened doorways (now with wider gaps!)
After a failed attempt at jumping up on to his sofa, he simply stood with head hanging down, the picture of misery -
Last night wasn't too bad; I heard the clatter as he moved around a couple of times, but then settled, probably through sheer exhaustion. He didn't get up until 9am and was immediately ready for his breakfast. Usually it's just a complete food biscuit breakfast but today I mixed in some meat and veg in gravy, cunningly hiding an antibiotic tablet within. He scoffed the lot, no problem. To encourage him to drink I put some water in his bowl and added the tiniest few drops of milk - while he watched eagerly - and he drank it all up. Yessss!
He has now perfected the art of jumping up on to the sofa or pouffe and his assessment of gaps has improved. So now he's sitting on the pouffe, resting his cone-encased head on the windowsill, watching out for invaders . . . well, anyone who wanders past the house. But not barking at them as usual; he's just not in the mood for all that effort.
Oh poor Benji! And poor you too! He really has got pathos down to a fine art hasn't he!
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor Benji, he really does look the picture of misery. My friend's little dog has had a similar problem so has to wear the 'cone of shame' as she calls it, although he soon grasped the art of jumping up onto the settee or someone's lap.
ReplyDeletePoor baby! It is for his own good but it is hard to see them like that.
ReplyDeleteNobody, neither pet nor owner, likes that cone. I took the cone off our Daisy so she could sleep comfortably when she had her lady operation and as a result, she pulled out every stitch overnight. We had to rush her to the vet and have her operated on to repair the damage. It cost me twice as much but thankfully she was OK. We learned our lesson.
I've missed hearing about Benji's adventures. Hope he's healing up quickly.
ReplyDeleteThose cones look so uncomfortable, but they are very necessary. Poor Benji.
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart! Poor little guy . . . sounds like he is adapting though, and that's a comfort. I imagine the return trip can't come fast enough for him!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the hassle of trying to get him into the vet's surgery. It will be worth it, though, if he can have the cone taken off. I shall be watching him like a hawk afterwards in case he still tries to lick or nibble that tail.
ReplyDeleteOh welcome back, I did not realise you had started blogging again.
ReplyDeletePoor Benji, those cones can be so awkward for our pups. Luckily Daisy never had to wear one, but our previous boy needed them on a couple of occasions and they were awful.
Knowing how difficult it can be to sort skin problems, sadly there is a chance the cone might be a regular thing. So have you looked at these inflatable ones which seem to be much gentler? I just had a peep on Amazon - searching for "inflatable dog cone" works. xx
Yes, I've seen them and it might be worth considering in case it's needed again. He had to keep the cone on for further few days but he was well used to it by then - he even managed to lick his tail whilst wearing the cone! So far, so good without it; the fur is beginning to grow back on his bare patch now, thank goodness.
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