I like that idea! He hasn't been able to use his wheel since the surgury. He has been climbing as high as he can and using all of the cage space he has. He's been such a trooper through this whole thing. I just cant wait for these scabs to go away.

When is it considered safe to keep the ecollar off? When I switched the collars I did let him do a little grooming to the other parts of his body. He was mostly interested in giving his neck a good scratch and cleaning his hands and feet. When he started getting closer to the site I recollared him and let him rest a while with me.

I think you need to leave the collar on until the scabs are gone as then it is completely healed. If he picks a scab then there will be a sore or raw spot for him to pick at and possibly reopen. You have come soooo far we don't want a relapse.

Keep talkin to us we will send you encourgement when you need it.

HUGS your doing good!

This whole thing has definately changed his level of trust with me. When I had to collar off he let me look at his neck and other parts with bare hands and didn't even bite or look like he wanted to bite. Actually, as long as I get him a rub down he let me do just about everything I needed too without biting.

He was a biter before. Someone in his past taught him to bite since whenever he came close to skin he would immediately clamp down. Its amazing what he let me do to him without having to wrap him up for fear of a bite.

He's my special man and Im just glad with his past he's been given the chance to trust a person this much.

Oh I remember all so well when you were so afraid that he was never going to trust you because of all the difficulty you had with trying to get the ecolar on him initially.
See, I told ya, he'd turn out to be the most loving and trusting little fella.....
You did a remarkable job, I know how hard all this was on you.

You are right Linda, and thank you for the kind words and middle of the night help. I thought with how upset he was that he'd never forgive me. I had just come to a point where he was starting to trust me when all this happened.

I honestly thought he was going to hate me. But with carrying him around for two weeks he's become really bonded.

It's not recommended as a bonding technique, but the SMs tend to form some of the absolute CLOSEST bonds with their people, even more than a glider that never has, for some reason.

Keep meaning to come reply and say I'm really happy he's enjoying his tunnel, and was hoping for a new update? How's he doing and how does the wound look?

Im going to take a pic later when he wakes up, but he's doing okay. I think his scabs are stuck in his hair. And they are large scabs because of the nature of the original wound. Im still a little worried about the middle of the site, it appears still open some. The vet is suppose to call me if anyone cancels before the appointment time so I can get in earlier. We'll see what she says.

Try holding him and soaking the area with a warm, wet washcloth a few times a day...10 min or so. Don't rub...just soak. It will help to soften the scabs and get them loose if they're ready to come off. The rest will heal with time. And remember to keep him on you until he's dry-you can dab at the wet area with plain tissues to help absorb the water quicker. Let us know what the vet says

The vet is probably tired of seeing me by now! I just brought a litter of mini doxies for her to check out on Saturday. lol I will keep you updated.

So you can see in the pics the top scab has come off leaving behind some yucky skin. The bottom scab is trying to lift away from the skin and under that I can see some yucky yellow skin/remaining wound under that one as well. I hope the vet has good news for me...

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x205/matchmakersmagic/Suggie%20Neuter/SuggieSurgury.jpg

Wow his boo boo has come a long way. It looks good considering the damage he did. I bet he will feel a lot better with those scabs off and then everything will start to dry out more and heal faster now. I am pretty sur ethat the yellow is just from the scabs being over the skin and being somewhat moist. Fingerts crossed he will get a good report from the vet.

You are doing great with him.

Well the vet says he looks alright. She didn't expect this to take this long to heal and thinks its because of the extensive scabbing/matting. The big scab is still hanging on to a little bit of skin in the middle but she said should come off soon. She also thinks the sooner the large scab comes off the sooner it will heal completely.

He weighs 110 g with the new collar which I believe is lighter than the one I made because the plastic is thinner. When i find that old collar I'll weigh it to be sure.

I've also received my scale in the mail today and had a fun time getting weights on the suggies and the puppies! I should be able to accurately watch his weight from here on out to make sure there are no big fluctuations.

I'll keep the photo journal going once this scab comes off or a couple days pass and the upper part starts to get better.

Are you soaking his tummy at all? That should help. If it's simply matted in the fur at some point, and far enough out you can get some small scissors under without touching his skin, you could try trimming some off. Shaving can cause problems, but a trim is okay IF it's feasible. Don't if it's not safe, or the scab still attached but it's something you can keep an eye on.

I was planing on trying exactly that when its away from the skin enough to get scissors under there safely with no danger of cutting his skin. At one very small point the skin is still attached to the scab, but that should lift away soon enough.

So here are the new pics tonight after the flush. The vet recommended peroxide to help dry it up. Anyone else use peroxide on their suggies? The large scab that had the remaining part of the undesolved stiches is out, just the middle that is kind of yucky still is covered with the scab. But you'll notice the scab is much much smaller since I trimmed away the areas that were completely lifted away from skin. I still need to do a final peroxide flush of the area so the debris is removed.

What do you guys think?

11-21-07

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x205/matchmakersmagic/Suggie%20Neuter/11-21-07.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x205/matchmakersmagic/Suggie%20Neuter/11-21-071.jpg

It looks better for sure. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all to see. It sure makes you more aware of what they can do in a short amount of time.

Well, the scabbing is off and its looking real good. Still needs more time to heal but looking fabulous! My mother borrowed my camera but I'll take pics of it with my work camera and post those later today!

Can't wait to see new pics!

I'm anxious to see how he is looking too! Your doing a wonderful job! He sure has come along way....it goes to show how alot of love, patience, and understanding brings peace to these little ones hearts. Thank you!

I can't wait either.

Anna

So here are the pics. The more infocus one shows him "going" as well. And the less infocus one shows just the site.

11/25/07

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x205/matchmakersmagic/Suggie%20Neuter/11-25-071.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x205/matchmakersmagic/Suggie%20Neuter/11-25-07.jpg

Considering all that he has gone thru, his wound is really starting to look much better. My heart hurts for him, and for you too......Thank you for the update, and for being such a wonderful mommy to him.

I think he is looking really well. You are doing a fantastic job with him Kinue!! Thank you for taking such good care of him. You are a wonderful suggie momma!!

Anna

Thanks guys. He is starting to get a little raw around the collar. I think its back to the vet we go.

Just wondering if there were any updates on this little one?

And...I just wanted to say that you've just done an amazing amazing job with this whole situation, and I thank you for sharing all the ups and downs with us.

I hope he is doing well...

I will be posting the updated pictures tonight!

He OFFICIALLY is collar-less today!!!!!

He is fully healed but has a few rough spots on his neck from the collar. But it is healed but new hair hasn't grown in yet.

BIG thanks to everyone who helped and gave support!!

That is wonderful news!!!! I am so happy to hear how remarkable things have gone considering all the trouble.
Big to the both of you!
PS-I bet he's "mommies" little boy now!

I just realized he's been 36 days in the collar... Poor Baby!

That is great news
Just wanted to tell you that you a wonderful suggie mommy for taking such good care of your baby, I am sure it was very hard and you deserve a big

You did a great job with this entire ordeal. I am so glad he is out of his collar. I can not wait to see pictures of him.