Last year many of the "backyard" breeders here in Michigan chose to close shop. We rescued many of these little guys. Among them was a V-Hob named Pee Wee. We thought that it may be an asset to keep him around in case the need arose for his services. As time went by, we realized that this was not what we should do. He would watch the other guys come out to play and he had no one to romp with. So, we decided to have him neutered. Surgery was done on a Sunday and it went quite well. On Wednesday he decided, for some strange reason, that he was going to chew himself open. We ended up in emergency surgery til 1:00 a.m. trying to repair the damage. Doc G. rigged a collar out of an old x-ray sheet and put it on him. The wound had to remain open due to a raging infection. (He had been on Amoxy since surgery). Sitz baths twice a day, heavy anti-biotics were required. Everything went along til Sunday. He learned how to turn the collar to the smallest part and chewed himself wide open again. I called three different vets (at home). None were available!!! Myself and two other people called emergency vets in all areas. I was told that they could do nothing due to the extent of his injury. Finally got a reply from Doc. G. and she said that we had done all we could do. Uncle Win came over Monday and he devised a new collar (he is an engineer) and we put it in place. Started the sitz baths, the anti-biotics and a pain killer/sedative to keep Pee Wee calm. The rest was up to God. Pee Wee is now almost completely healed. The gaping wound (which was the size of a half dollar) has closed and he is growing hair where he was shaved. He still wears the collar and once we have the ok from Doc we will take it off. The object of this tale of woe, is to let people know that collars can and do work. You can view a picture of Pee Wees' collar and wound at www.mkaresq.com Loaned out the digital so the pictures are not up to date. I am so relieved that Pee Wee is going to be just fine. He has been such a trooper, putting up with all he has to endure and not once showing any signs of aggression, just acceptance. I wish I had his stamina and courage. I wish I was able to accept things as they come the way he has. Mary http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=6431&mid=87568 http://www.mkaresq.com [Posted in FML issue 2963]