Okay, we took the advice we had rec'd here and we had our 2 1/2 year old dog neutered yesterday. He is moping around the house with his collar on his head. We were originally concerned he could have a personality change. So is his behavior just part of his recovery? Please don't think I am stupid for asking that, as I realize it probably is, and I just need reassurance I will get my happy little man back. Neutering him was a difficult decision because we were so scared his exuberant personality would leave.

Also, we spayed the 4 month old cat. We gave her her pain medication today and she spit it out. She does not act like she is in pain either and she keeps pulling her collar off. She is not bothering her incision so we have allowed her to keep it off. They told us she needed to being a laundry room or bathroom for 3-5 days where she could not move around. The dog too. We are letting the dog walk around the house, the kitty is in the office cause she was very upset in the bathroom. She is not much happier in the office, but there are glass pane doors where she can see us and we go in and out. This morning she was somehow under the file cabinet in a confined space. This made me feel she perhaps had been in pain and went there during the night.
Can someone, anyone, give me some guidance,suggestions about all of this? Are we on the right track? Please help.

At 2.5 years of age, your dogs is who he is. Neutering him won't change who he has grown up to be. He might actually become a better boy!

He's depressed due to the cone on his head. I'm sure if you take it off, he'd be happier. However; I would recommend he keep it on format least 5 days. Within 3 weeks, or less, he'll be back to himself.

As for the cat... You need to keep her from jumping. She had an abdominal incision. That's a bit more than a neuter. You want to keep her from putting lots of pressure on that incision. Of course, this is a cat and it's just the nature of the beast to jump and climb, but try to minimize it as best you can. As for her medicine. I'm going to guess it's a liquid. A majority of it should absorb quickly through the mucous membranes.. So keep giving it. Maybe give her a little meat treat right after. And it does take practice to orally medicate a cat. They can be difficult. So continue the pain meds for her and keep her in a smaller room. It's only for awhile. Shell live. I'm sure you really don't want to deal with an incision that is opening due to her running and jumping like crazy

Thank you very much. That helps a lot :-) I appreciate it.