HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A DOG AFTER SPAY AND 3 THINGS TO KNOW

How to take care of a dog after spay. Having your pet undergo surgery can be quite stressful for pet owners, even for common procedures like neutering. It’s natural to feel anxious since pets are like family members.

Once you bring your dog home after the operation, the real work begins. Despite being a routine procedure, spaying a female dog still carries risks and requires careful attention. Your vet will explain the potential risks beforehand, but it’s crucial to understand that your dog will need close monitoring and extra care post-surgery. Find out with Petlandlover How to take care of a dog after spay.

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How to take care of a dog after spay?

It is normal for your dog to be quieter than usual after coming home from being spayed. She may whimper or groan a bit and might just want to rest. It is important to allow her to rest, as keeping her calm is crucial for a smooth recovery.

It typically takes a day or two for pets to get back to their normal selves. It may also take a couple of days for them to have a bowel movement. Many dogs may not feel like eating on the same day and could experience some nausea or vomiting. Your vet will inform you about any warning signs to watch for in the days following the surgery and how to care of a dog her incision. If you are concerned about your dog, do not hesitate to contact your vet or an emergency service for guidance.

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We understand that you’ll be ready to give your pet extra cuddles and love after her surgery! In addition to that, there are a few other tasks you should consider. It’s important to plan ahead for the operation so that you can ensure someone is with her as much as possible during the initial days. Your pet will require a recovery period of approximately 14 days, and during this time, there are some important things to keep in consideration:…

Rest

take care of a dog — cute puppy put her head on the palm

Your dog should have limited activity for about two weeks after the surgery, only going outside to go to the bathroom and then resting indoors. If your dog is usually very active, it might be a good idea to use a crate to prevent her from jumping on furniture or running around too much. It’s important to keep her as calm as possible so that the wound heals properly.

Excessive activity in the days following the surgery can lead to seromas (fluid build-up in the wound) and hernias (muscle not closing properly due to excessive movement). A hernia may require another surgery, so it’s best to prevent it by keeping your dog from being too active.

Medication

Make sure to expect your veterinarian to prescribe pain medication for a few days. If you anticipate difficulty giving the medication, discuss this with your vet during the discharge appointment. You may need to consider using paté or treats to conceal the medication.

Food

Currently, it is common practice to advise keeping pets on their regular diet post-surgery and not specifically switching to a lighter one. Nevertheless, take care of a dog during the initial days following the surgery, your dog may experience stomach issues or a decreased appetite. Therefore, it is recommended to have ingredients such as chicken, rice, and eggs available to prepare light meals if necessary.

Wound care

You should take care of a dog inspect the wound daily, and in general, there is no need to clean it. If it appears dirty, gently wipe around it with saline solution or cooled, boiled water (avoid tugging at the edges or rubbing the incision line). Take a look and lightly touch around the area without directly touching the incision to check for any signs of swelling or bulging.

No licking

Your dog will probably wear a buster collar to stop her from reaching the wound. It’s crucial not to remove it and ensure she can’t take it off either. The risk of her licking the wound is high, which could lead to an infection or reopening of the wound. Despite how irritating buster collars can be, we only use them when needed and for the well-being of your pet.

When to call the vet

You will have a couple of appointments scheduled for follow-up check-ups after your dog’s surgery, but there are some signs to watch out for that may indicate she needs to be seen sooner. It is important to inform us if your dog displays any of the following symptoms:

Reluctance to move or difficulty waking up
Trouble urinating or straining excessively after the surgery
Pale gums or very light pink color
Repeated episodes of vomiting
Showing signs of pain despite being on pain medication

Moreover, if there are any issues with the incision site, it is advisable to have your vet examine it. A small amount of discharge from the incision is normal within the first day, but if there is excessive bleeding, any other type of discharge, or if the wound appears very swollen, contact your vet for guidance.

By keeping these points in mind, you can assist your dog in recovering quickly from her spay surgery. Her follow-up appointment in 10-14 days will come soon, and she will be back to her normal self before you know it.