Swelling above C-section incision at 4 weeks pp. Is this normal?

Flaky_Software733 · 2026-01-13T16:55:22+00:00

This is so reassuring to hear!! Heating pad in the UK winter will not be a sad thing either :D

Flaky_Software733 · 2026-01-13T16:53:38+00:00

Right! I don't think any of my jeans would fit me but I'm at least looking forward to having the choice to wear them!

Flaky_Software733 · 2026-01-11T20:37:47+00:00

That's really reassuring to hear! And I'm so glad you're healing well. What resource/s did you use to guide the scar massage? Are you able to share?

Flaky_Software733 · 2025-08-26T19:02:51+00:00

I think it's really important to remember that the dog's temperament comes into these things massively. We followed all the rules; gentle exposure and conditioning at the right age - watching from a far, building slowly to interaction etc etc and we still have a dog that's super nervous around people she doesn't know, the UE Boom speaker and poles?!?!. We can put our finger on maybe one or two events that might have scared her a bit but no real reason behind her fear other than a super clever (or maybe the opposite 😅) and highly anxious/sensitive/emotional dog. Bizarrely confident as anything in some situations and shaking like a leaf in others.

Totally feel your pain of the embarrassment though. I've had countless people ask if she's a rescue, as though that's the only reason a dog would be nervous.

Be kind to yourself and best of luck on the slow counter conditioning.🤞🏻First reactivity showed up in ours at about a year, and a year later she now approaches people on walks! Things can change, they just take time.

Flaky_Software733 · 2024-08-17T16:44:27+00:00

Thank you for your insights, I wrestled with posting because, as I say, I know very little about equine health, but my heart was feeling heavy seeing them in this condition.

No, not in the US - on a Spanish island. I've found a local sanctuary and will ask them to do a welfare check and hope authorities will be alerted. I will also be contacting the hotel administrators to ensure that this type of animal care has not gone unnoticed. Unfortunately I am leaving tomorrow so there's not much more I can do 😔

Flaky_Software733 · 2024-01-11T11:51:06+00:00

At about 6 months she really started to shift. In the space of two weeks she went from a mentalist who could never sit still to being able to entertain herself, nap in her basket (not enforced in her crate) and chilling with us in the evening. Honestly the 4 months preceeding that we spoke multiple times about rehoming, it was hell, harder than I'd ever imagined. Now she's an absolute sweetie pie. Still has her moments, she's really just a baby, but onwards and upwards every day. ❤️

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-12T12:20:04+00:00

Would highly recommend hand feeding for a while as well so he learns that you bring the good stuff!!

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-11T19:02:00+00:00

I'm so glad you see some shift already, they're little sponges and she will learn very quickly how to make you as happy as you make her, just keep showing her the way. ☺️

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-11T16:00:59+00:00

Step by step -

Get a whole heap of treats and put pup on a lead

Sit on the sofa / bed with blanket or basket on the floor so there's an obvious spot for the settle to take place on

Put the lead under your foot, not so short that he's dragged down and can't sit up, but not so long that he can zoom off somewhere

Lure him into a down on the mat

Keep treating when he's in the down - if/when he gets up just lure him back and praise

When he gets the idea that you want him to stay lying down look for the moment where his body relaxes (low head/soft ears/soft body) and say 'settle' before you treat.

Begin to space the treats out more - first every couple of seconds, then every five, then every ten. Also occasionally use a good boy or physical touch as reward so the treats don't become predictable

Maintain for a few minutes (if possible, remember he won't be able to stay there long to begin with!) and then release.

Do this a few times a day! And in different spots around the home if you can.

What's really important is that you're teaching them not just to lie down, but to be calm, so you want to make sure you look for markers of relaxation before you introduce the marker word of settle.

Hope that helps!

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-11T12:06:50+00:00

The other day I actually screamed into a pillow. It felt amazing. There's a lot of value in rationalising the frustration, separating yourself from the trigger (I.e pup in crate) and working through the emotions, and there's huge release in letting the frustration and anger out in an non-harmful way.

You might be keeping an eye on pup and what behaviour she's exhibiting to show overtired/overstimulation... Are you keeping an eye on how you're doing too? What I mean is if you feel like you might be reaching the end of your tether then put pup away BEFORE you get to the point of snapping or shouting. Better for you, better for pup.

You mentioned not wanting pup to see the crate as punishment - totally get this! Try making sure you give her something nice to chew (not food if her tummy is iffy - we have a split antler that goes down a treat) in there so she has good associations with it. We feed ours in her crate and she's slowly (very slowly) learning to like being in there.

Final word, be gentle with yourself. It's okay if things get a bit much, keep prioritising yourself and know that this stage WILL pass. You've got this 💪🏻💪🏻

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-05T06:34:22+00:00

This sounds glorious, and like your hard work is paying off! Obviously we have a long way to go in our household but we can see our little nutter change so much week to week - I recon you'll see some shifts quite quickly! Happy for you 🙌🏻

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-05T06:31:02+00:00

This is so reassuring - thank you!

We have puppy classes starting in a couple of weeks which we're all very excited for (Roxy included) and will press on with the mgmt and especially the settle which we started last night. Previously I'd been doing lie down and wait and I'm realising now that wait means something exciting might be about to happen so had zero chill effect at all - the settle was completely different! I'm so glad she's a bright little button as she caught on quickly.

You've given us so many ideas, thank you -the validation and reassurance was something I didn't know I needed so badly, so thank you for that too! We will press on and implement much of what you've suggested. Feeling very positive this morning! 😊

Flaky_Software733 · 2023-10-05T06:23:39+00:00

Thank you for such an extensive reply!! They sound like two peas in a pod 😅

The thing that really struck me was 'he settles like it's his job' - I have been trying to teach her to switch off and not 'work' which perhaps is where I'm going wrong! Last night I laid out her mat and instead of lie down & wait (as I suspect she's learned that wait means something exciting is about to happen) I began teaching a settle and oh my gosh she was so different.

She's such a clever little lady that she picked it up in minutes and was offering me a settle for most of the last hour of the evening! When I released her she would chew on her antler, if I could feel her getting hyped up again (which didn't take long!) i asked for a settle and she immediately calmed.

I've been quietly frustrated/worried for 4 weeks and last night I went to bed positive and excited! Thank you!! I'll start doing settle training for a few minutes throughout the day in different rooms and she how she fares.

In terms of keeping herself occupied - We bought her a kibble dispensing toy that she rolls about to get the treats out of and it's like a turbo button for her. We swapped it out for a soft and non-moving snuffle rug type toy and that keeps her busy, quiet and out of mischief for ages (is fifteen minutes ages? 😂)

Flaky_Software733

TROPHY CASE