please help, dog question

lilibet1

Looking for some advice please.

My jack russell had to have an emergency op last night as he got a thorn in his eye and it had caused alot of problems were hopeful that he wont loose his sight but its early days.

He is eating out of our hands but cant drink as he hasnt adjusted to having the big plastic collar thingy on.

I need to help him to drink and any tips on that a general convalesant care would be appreciated.

XX

HelenYorkshire

Ahhh poor thing!

Can you trim the big plastic collar so that he can put his head down but still can't scratch/hurt himself?

Or hold a wide mug/small bowl up to have him drink from your hand?

Otherwise, I'd go by how he is in himself - if he's jumping around as normal, play gently with him etc; but if he's moping around then take things easy. Remember he'll not be able to see well and may get frustrated trying to wedge himself in narrow spaces, so try not to accidentally sneak up on him.
Keep an eye out to make sure the collar doesn't catch or rub anywhere; if he's moulting as much as my dog is then he might appreciate the loose fluff being groomed out from where the collar sits.

trudij

Can you take it off periodically and offer him water then put it straight back on after? he will get used to doing things with it on - it just takes a bit of time and at the moment hes probably still feeling a bit rough from the op. Maybe having water in a cup rather than bowl might help??

Bless his heart - hope he makes a full recovery

GemBlueTopaz1984

when our girl was spayed we found she couldn't get to her bowls because of the collar so we put things under the bowl to raise them higher, we used an overturned old bowl.

lilibet1

thank you, the vet said to not take the collar off as one scratch to the eye and we will have problems, will go and try putting his bowl on top of an upturned washing up bowl, back in a bit x

krlyr

There's a few alternatives to the plastic collars out on the market, the Comfy Cone might work in this instance
http://www.allfourpaws.com/the_comfy_cone.php
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product_group.asp?dept_id=253&pg_id=1259

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I filled a plastic litre measuring jug with water to raise it up when one of mine had difficulties bending down (throat operation). She still likes it now, and the kitten is following suit.

Kinski

You could try and get a comfy collar http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003XL874E/ref=s9_simh_gw_p199_d0_g199_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=01C8NA8PRKMC91YPVDX3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

lilibet1

thanks everyone, will go and have a look at the links for the other collars. He is really struggling (and us) with this. Crying so much i have never heard anything like it. My hubby has just left to go and get him some chicken and rice to try and coax him abit. any other ideas to get him to drink as i cant get him too please x x x

krlyr

Maybe just try watery foods, he'll get some fluid intake from that. Something like a high quality wet food, e.g. Naturediet, add a little water and mush up with a fork into a watery slop. You could try encouraging him to drink with water that tastes nicer - simmer a chicken wing in a pan for 15 minutes, throw away the wing (you can pick the meat off but don't feed him the bone, cooked bones are dangerous as they can splinter and puncture the throat/intestines) and feed the "stock" (no need to add any salt or other seasonings)

scaredy_cat

does he like the bath? as an extreme you could fill the bath up a bit and let him stand in it and drink.