Hi all,

Max was neutered Saturday so he has his arm shaved in the spot where the IV was placed (I assume), and, of course there is the incision site. He's got the cone of shame on currently.

I've taken it off once or twice while he is with me in my office so I could see how he would do. Doesn't seem to be bothered by the incision site, but he goes immediately to the shaved area on his arm. Licks and nibbles it. First time he nibbled it until it started bleeding (after I finally turned around and saw him doing it). Cone went back on.

For those who have had their dog's arms shaved (or had them neutered etc), how long did it take for them to leave those areas alone and be free from the cone? Vet says 7-14 days so that's what I'm going with right now.

Probably bothers me seeing it on him more than it bothers him wearing it.

Kye will pester shave spots until they grow back practically but it seems it's worst the first week. I put coconut oil on it hoping to help heal it faster and sooth any irritation and it tends to stop bothering him fairly soon. Hair takes a bit to grow back though. Couple/few weeks.

The more you stay true to the cone, the faster your dog will heal. Echo got neutered back in March, and I had it on him for 14 days. It sucks, there are a lot of dents in my walls now, but it's worth it. The only time I had him cone free was when we were outside on walks or at the park. He's usually too distracted or on leash or you're watching him anyways, so I thought it was pointless, looked ridiculous and counterproductive in trying to calm him and tire him out with the limited exercise anyways your pup can do post surgery. But right when we got home, it's right back on after getting through the door.

I don't think the IV site bothered him that much, but definitely wanted to lick his incision site a lot more as it healed, hence the cone was key. Just like when we heal, a wound tends to get itchy a couple days later as the scab starts to fall off and the surrounding skin sloughs off. That's when it's most critical to make sure he doesn't go at it, cause everything is super thin and sensitive.

Good luck keeping your pup entertained for at least a week! It's much easier after that cause he can start running and jumping again (with a cone on of course =P).