The vet will send us home with pain pills, but I'm hoping they'll prescribe some tranquilizers as a backup, in case she gets rowdy before it starts to heal. .
Nobody wants their pet to suffer, but pain is nature's way of telling us to take it easy. I think overdoing the pain pills can cause problems. I don't overdo the Bute with a lame horse, because in absence of the pain "warning" they are far more likely to cause themselves further injury. You don't want a pain free dog ripping out her stitches! (it happens).
Keeping her quiet will be challenging, no question. Possibly a little chemical help to tone her down might be a good idea, and with luck the vet will concur. It might be wise to try a calming medication now, as a trial, to see how she reacts. (not always predictable!)
You've hit on my internal dilemma– I want her to feel the pain so she won't hurt herself... but I don't want her to hurt. 
As a rule, I avoid meds whenever possible. But Ava is more active than other dogs I've known. I have stocked up on calming aids/treats and am looking into safe, natural calming/healing treatments. I know chamomile is one. Anybody have experience with any others?
BTW, the calming treats seem to take the edge off. Or maybe she's just growing up and tiring out a little. Either way, I'll take it!
Wow, 13 days sounds like such a long time! Ava also has an umbilical hernia, which will make her incision larger. I'm really worried about keeping her quiet. The vet will send us home with pain pills, but I'm hoping they'll prescribe some tranquilizers as a backup, in case she gets rowdy before it starts to heal. I would like to wait until she's a little older, but everyone feels it's best to do it before the first heat, so I guess the time is now.
I never kept mine quiet for more then 1 day…. As said, the feeling of pain will naturally slow them down. I used pain meds the first night and then none.... when Mickii was spayed (and she had a huge herina) the incision was really not any bigger... she came home and was "sort of quiet" the first night from the effects of the anesthesia... next day she was up and around as normal.... she did try and jump on the bed, squeeked... and waited a few days to try that again.... they feel the pain, they don't do that... I fully agree that sometimes the pain meds do more harm then good....
I agree with the advice and that's what I'll try– pain meds the first day, then see how she does. Hopefully, she will self-monitor to avoid hurting herself.
How about stairs? Better to carry her up? And that e-collar? I can't see her putting up with that at all. (Spencer wouldn't, either, but his neuter didn't seem to bother him much at all.)
I agree with the advice and that's what I'll try– pain meds the first day, then see how she does. Hopefully, she will self-monitor to avoid hurting herself.
How about stairs? Better to carry her up? And that e-collar? I can't see her putting up with that at all. (Spencer wouldn't, either, but his neuter didn't seem to bother him much at all.)
I never worried about stairs, mine did just fine with them and we have three different sets of stairs… And I never had to use the e-collar either. I would use Tea Tree oil around the incision if it seems that they were interested in licking.
Excellent idea about the tea tree oil– thank you! I had forgotten about that. Ava is taste-sensitive-- Bitter Apple was a lifesaver-- so that should stop the licking.
I made the appointment, so there's no turning back. I hate it, but it has to be done... and the sooner it's behind us, the better.
Oakley came home tied up with gauze string to keep his collar on…the contraption they came up with made him look like a mummy..he was incessant about his stitches so I bought an inflatable collar and that he couldn't get off or lick his undercarriage..I have photos- he looked might embarassed to be seen that way 
LOL, when we just had Kobey neutered, Carly kept taking off his inflatable collar for him!
Lmao…that's exactly why I'm hesitant to add a second!! I can handle two basenjis but not two Oakley's...I need to be SURE the second wont be influenced by Oakleys naughty naughty ways!!
Do agree with them being able to feel some pain as I found that Kaiser knew what was painful to do and he adjusted his movements to get on the sofa etc, the hardest part I found was getting him in the car and out not easy with a bad back and a 13kg basenji(he is big boy, biggest in his litter), he was fine with our stairs at home. Did find out that he is a gentle boy as I did hurt him lifting him out of the car when we got home after his neuter and expected a nip but he just looked at me soooo sad and then I had to try again and he let me, though he did nip the Vet. As usual I worried more than I should of and everything turned out way better than I thought so here is hoping the same for you and Ava.
Jolanda and Kaiser
I have a feeling you'll get a call for Ava as soon as she wakes up!
Lmao…that's exactly why I'm hesitant to add a second!! I can handle two basenjis but not two Oakley's...I need to be SURE the second wont be influenced by Oakleys naughty naughty ways!!
LOL– what if you added a second and ended up with an Oakley and an Ava?!
Thank you, stash; I hope it goes easy, too. Surely Miss Ava can behave for a week. Surely.
But you're right, agilebasenji, they'll probably have a post-it with my mobile # stuck to their phone, and I'll receive a call as soon as she rouses. She won't be a happy girl– and when Ava's not happy, nobody around her is happy.
I would have to be admitted to a facility Pamela, it would be my worst nightmare…lol. I love Oakley more than anything but I don't think I could do it again..he has been the most difficult puppy/dog I've ever had! ..and as many leaps as he's made, he will always be difficult in his own ways. I bet Ava will be the same, they certainly won't ever be easy going pups. Bless us for loving the crazy ones!!
I hear you, Chealsie! I'm still not sure I'll survive Ava's adolescence. I'm pretty good at managing stress, but there have been times– many times-- that she has almost sent me over the edge. I had wanted to get another B puppy in a year or two... but no more.
