Akela is Spayed

Originally posted by Akelasmom on Jan. 22, 2007.

Yes, I did it. I got Akela Spayed. I did a lot of soul searching leading up to my decision. Basically, I have a full time job and don't have anyone else to care for her during her first heat, and puppies during her second season. Had I another life, I would have liked to see what she and Beamer would have produced.
I coordinated my days off with her first days of convalescence. She couldn't understand why the doggy door was locked. By day three, she was royally spoiled. Now, she gets resentful when I go to work. She steps on the pantleg of my work slacks as I dress(she does this every time!) She has been naughty; tearing up a magazine to shreds all over the back yard, redecorating the exterior of the house(see photo). Nothing extreme, but she is letting me know her displeasure that I leave.
Akela has become a hearty eater since her spay. She's gained several pounds, and going strong. She eats about 12 cups of kibble in two feedings a day. In the morning, I include 3/4 cup meat and some cheese; for dinner she gets cottage cheese in her kibble. At noon, she gets a hard boiled egg. She is now 6 1/2 months old.

Originally posted by Shepaluteprez on Jan. 23, 2007.

You did it...I am going to spay Citara, too. That's interesting how her personality changed like that. And how funny that she steps on your pantlegs so you can't dress. She's smart. These dogs do seem to be smart like that. Oh, I didn't see your photo that you mentioned...I'll check that. The GUTTER elbow!!! That's hilarious. She's such a joy, I can tell. Thanks for sharing your moment.

Originally posted by Shepaluteprez on March 16, 2007.

OK, I spayed my pup and Odessa today. It's a sad experience for sure. I know they are in pain and that's what kills me, but they'll be ok soon. I am interested in seeing how their personalities will change. They are still out of it a little today and I'm sad for them. I happy to not be having roaming males around our property though. That's a pain.

I hope you are all well. Take care and talk with you soon.

Originally posted by Akelasmom on March 21, 2007.

It is hard to see the dogs in pain. Kela's sore tummy made it painful to strain to poop. I made sure not to feed her anything that would give her soft stool.
It's been 2 months since Kela was spayed. She's now a little over 8 months old. The hair on her tummy is finally growing back. I had to clip the stitches beacuse they didn't dissolve like they should have. She wasn't bothered by them, but I was.
One thing I have really noticed is her appetite. She has cut way back on the amount she eats. I feed her meat only once a week now. She'll eat about 5 cups of kibble a day, although sometimes it'll be less. She still gets calcium supplement and brewers yeast.
I haven't weighed her lately, but she's certainly not loosing any.
She's really gotten interested in vegetables! She came running into the kitchen the other day when I was cutting up a tomato. She sat there and drooled, even though she has never tasted one. I gave her a piece, and she loved it. Now, every time I cook with tomato's, even pasta sause, she is interested in getting some...which she doesn't, of course.
After her recuperation, I put her on heartworm medicine. Our mesquito's can be bad, and our area has a high incidence of heartworm. A benefit of the medicine is when she snacks on the livestock poo, she won't get worms! Ivermectin is the active ingredient in the heartworm medicine, and I have not seen any adverse reaction to it in the 2 doses I've given.
Beth