The pain associated with spay or neuter surgeries is typically more of a discomfort and may last for just a few days and should be completely gone after about a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days it's a good idea to contact your vet for further advice.
Yes. During the surgery your dog will be unconscious and not feel any pain however, once they wake up they will require medication to help with pain. When the surgery is complete, your vet will administer pain medications to your dog via an injection. This long-term pain medication should last for about 12-24 hours.
She may cry or moan a little, and might just feel like sleeping. It's important to let her rest, keeping her still will be essential for an uneventful recovery. It often takes a day or two for pets to feel like themselves again. It can also take a couple of days for them to pass faeces.
While some dogs are able to tolerate pain more than others, don't be surprised if your dog whines or whimpers after being spayed. It's perfectly normal for dogs to whine after being spayed.
Spaying your dog reduces any aggressive behavior patterns so your dog will likely be less aggressive toward people and other dogs after spay surgery.
Will my pet become depressed or be upset with me? Getting your pet spayed or neutered will most likely not alter your pets basic personality. It can result in some behavioral changes, but usually for the better! Pets may be less aggressive, more relaxed, and more focused on you.
Keep her as quiet as possible for one week. Too much activity too soon will disrupt the healing process and can lead to swelling and/or the formation of a fluid pocket under the incision. If a fluid pocket does form (seroma), it should go away on its own in a few weeks. Short on-leash walks are okay.
An age of six to nine months of age may be appropriate for neutering or spaying a toy breed puppy or small breed puppy but a larger or giant breed may need to wait until they are near or over 12-18 months of age.
Our study of the stress-response system in spayed/neutered dogs leads us to believe spay/neuter adversely affects the dog's behavior and personality. In fact, the documented changes in the stress-response system would predict an increased level of fear and anxiety, which in some dogs can result in aggression.
The procedure typically can last from 20 to 90 minutes to perform, depending on your pet's size and any special medical considerations. In older pets or large-breed dogs, the procedure can take longer and may require two surgeons to perform.
For these, it often takes two to three days for dogs to return to their normal selves after a spay and one to two for a neuter. Dogs over three years of age may take a day or two longer to recover. In many instances, older dogs (over six) can take up to a week to feel completely better after a spay or neuter surgery.
We recommend they are closely observed during the first 12 hours after surgery. It is not necessary to stay up, or sleep next to your pet and you can leave your dog alone after surgery for short periods as long as they aren't likely to lick their stitches.
Cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles
Your dog loves to be by your side, so post-op recovery is a perfect time to cozy up with your pet and relax together.
To be clear, the question here is whether or not to spay early or after the first heat cycle. Because of significant risks of pyometra (uterine infection) or mammary cancer late in life we recommend that all female dogs not intended for breeding be spayed before their second heat cycle.
As long as your pet is healthy, there is no age limit for spaying your dog. While the traditional age for spaying is six to nine months, dogs as young as five months can undergo the procedure. Even if there are some risks with senior dogs, the benefits still outweigh a few risks.
If we spay a female dog before her first estrus, or “heat,” we essentially eliminate her chances of developing mammary cancer. This benefit holds true for any female dog spayed before the age of 2, yet incidence of mammary cancer increases with each estrus period.
Leaving your dog alone after surgery can be hard on you, however, you may not know that giving them space will allow them to rest easier. You don't need to feel bad about leaving them alone, as long as otherwise stated by your vet, leaving them alone is perfectly okay.
If your pet is going to lick or begins to lick their incision, they need to wear an E-Collar (plastic cone) for 7-10 days after surgery. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead much more damage. 2. Limit activity—no running, jumping or playing for 7-10 days.
No running, jumping, climbing stairs or doing anything other than walking on a leash for the next 10 days. Your pet needs to be kept in an indoor crate/ kennel for most of the day and night for the next 10 days. The time of highest risk for the sutures breaking down is 3-5 days after surgery.
Your pet may feel nauseous, and it can take up to 48 hours for their appetite to return to normal. You may notice your pet received a small green tattoo, indicating they've been sterilized. This tattoo is not an extra incision and does not require cleaning.
No walks for 48 hours post-op and gentle, short walks on the lead from then on. At the post-op check-up, ask your vet for advice about when they think it is safe for your dog to go on longer walks. In summary, your veterinary surgeon is the expert.
All animals must have food and water withdrawn the night before surgery at 12:00 midnight. Animals must be in good health, so if your pet is showing any signs of illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, or diarrhea, it is possible that they will be declined for surgery.