(pet)rified!

[lady_miss_v]

my oldest dog recently had an operation to remove a benign tumour from her leg; and has recently returned home. because it was quite a big operation, she had to have alot of stitches and a cast on her leg (now it's a bandage) to keep it straight; and she also has to wear a cone to stop her from pulling her bandage off - (more on that later).
however, my main problem is that my younger dog has reacted badly to seeing her in a cone - whenever they are feet away from each other she growls, shakes and will not go anywhere near her. i've tried splitting them into different rooms, but the younger one cries and scrats at the door, only to turn nasty again!! it's quite upsetting, especially because they usually spend so much time together. any suggestions of what i can do to help her feel at ease with meg wearing a cone?!! taking the cone off is not an option!!
now onto my second problem - somehow, and i don't know how, despite wearing a cone, my husband texted me yesterday to say he had got home from work to find meg had managed to unravel her bandage. luckily the vets were brilliant and redressed it, but now her nose is red-raw?!
any help will be welcome. cheers!! x

[wolf63]

Is it possible that the other dog has been nibbling at the bandage? The cone really works - they usually can't move their head much at all.

You don't say how recently the cone arrived home. Some times when dogs/cats have been apart it takes a couple of days to re-establish the hierarchy within the pack. It sounds like junior sees that Meg is a strange dog.

There are more knowledgable people on this site and I hope that they can give you some practical solutions to your problem.

Last thought - would it be possible to take them for a walk on neutral ground and reintroduce them?

[carmalee]

is it not possible for you to take the cone off temporarily (you stay with the dogs to check no nibbling of bandage) - let the younger one get re-introduced to Meg and be satisfied it really is her friend and not some mutant canine. Let her also sniff and inspect the collar/cone then re-apply it to Meg?

[lady_miss_v]

thanks both for your helpful answers. will try them both!! i know pippa has not been at the bandage because she doesn't even like being in the same room as meg. fingers crossed she comes around!!

[gelda]

Good answer Carmalee.