Neutering or spaying a dog is a common procedure many pet owners choose to ensure their furry friend's health and well-being. Below, our New York vets explain what to expect after the surgery and give tips for recognizing the signs of infection to ensure a smooth recovery for your pet.
What to Expect After Neutering or Spaying Your Dog
The initial recovery period is crucial after a neutered dog or a female dog is spayed. Here’s what you can expect:
- Your dog may feel a little queasy or tired after the procedure, which is a common side effect of anesthesia; however, your dog will be given pain medications to help alleviate the discomfort. During the first 24 hours, their appetite will be reduced as well.
- Your dog must wear a cone to avoid licking the incision site, and you should not bathe or allow them to swim for at least 10-14 days. It's critical to keep the wound dry until it heals.
- It's also critical to restrict your dog's activities and ensure that they get enough rest until they recover. Even if they try to run or jump, this does not mean they will heal faster; dogs do not understand the importance of rest, so you must limit their movements.
- Keep your pup in their crate or a small room away from excitement to limit their movements (no running or jumping).
- Pain medication prescribed by your vet should be given directly to keep your dog comfortable.
The Healing Process of a Dog Neuter Incision
The healing process involves several stages, and regularly monitoring the incision site is important.
Initial Healing (Days 1-3):
- Mild swelling and redness around the incision are normal.
- Continue to restrict activity to prevent strain on the incision.
Intermediate Healing (Days 4-10):
- The incision may start to scab and itch. Prevent your dog from licking or scratching the area.
- Look for excessive redness, swelling, or discharge, which may indicate an infection.
Complete Healing (Days 10-14):
- If non-dissolvable sutures were used, your vet might remove them around this time.
- Gradually reintroduce normal activities, ensuring the incision site has healed properly.
Signs of Infection & Complications in a Neutered/Spayed Dog
It's important to remember that while complications following a spay/neuter procedure are extremely rare, any surgical procedure carries some risk. Therefore, following your veterinarian's post-operative instructions to the letter is critical. If you don't, your dog will take longer to recover and may develop other complications or infections. Some of the possible side effects of a spay and neuter procedure include:
- Infection
- Anestetic complications
- Self-inflicted complications
- Poorly healed wound
- Scrotal bruising/swelling in males
- Incontinence problems
- Hernias in female
- Internal bleeding
- Ovarian remnants in females
Below are the signs of infection and complications you need to keep your eye out for:
- Lethargy for more than a couple of days
- Refusal to eat more than a couple of meals
- Signs of pain for longer than a week (shaking, hiding, drooling)
- Acute redness, swelling, or bruising at the incision site
- Bleeding or pus from the incision site
- Vomiting or diarrhea longer than 24 hours after the procedure (some immediately after can be normal as a result of anesthesia)
- The incision site reopens
- A bad smell coming from the incision site
Your veterinarian will give you more information about what to expect after the procedure, including minor swelling, lethargy, and vomiting. However, if your dog exhibits any of the above complication symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.