I realize I am coming to this chat very late but I want to give you some hope. I have 6 chickens and though my 3 year old Piper will chase down and kill a bunny or squirrel and eat it ....she has demonstrated time after time that she understands the chickens are off limits. Infact I will go further to say that she acts as their protector. If one flies over the daytime fence she lets me know, if one is making any unusual noise she comes to get me. It has become quite comical how motherly she acts to them. 4 of them she was introduced to just a few months ago as I brought home baby chicks.....so they were small enough for her to attack for many months. I just kept telling her they are special and I would even let her sniff them while holding her collar. She knows the difference between prey and protect. I would love to get a few goats but I am not certain if that would work. I am still thinking about that.
Ways to Tire Out High Energy Dog?
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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.
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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.
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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
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LOL, when we just had Kobey neutered, Carly kept taking off his inflatable collar for him!
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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!!
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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
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I have a feeling you'll get a call for Ava as soon as she wakes up!
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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?!
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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.
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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!!
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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.
