Preventive care goes beyond vaccines and parasite prevention, it also includes reproductive surgeries. While the risk of issues is low, you should still know what to look for. Here, our Montecito vets list ways to recognize signs of an infection or complication after spaying or neutering your dog.
What to Expect After Your Dog's Procedure
Anesthesia will likely cause your dog to feel a bit tired or queasy immediately after being spayed or neutered. Your dog will have received pain medications to help alleviate any pain.
During the first night, you will need to monitor their pain levels, continuing to provide them with pain medication as needed. You will also need to watch for any signs of complications.
Spayed or neutered dogs will also usually have a reduced appetite for the first 24 hours following the procedure. In addition, your pooch will need to wear an Elizabethan cone to prevent them from licking the incision site.
Your vet will advise against bathing your dog or allowing them to swim for a minimum of 10-14 days. The incision site must stay dry until it is fully healed.
You will also need to limit your dog's activities and help them rest until they've recovered. Even if they try to run or jump, this does not mean they are healing quicker than your vet initially predicted - dogs don't know that they need to rest. Keeping them in their crate or a small room away from any excitement or outside stimulation will help restrict their movements.
The spaying procedure for female dogs is also more complex than the neutering procedure for male dogs. However, their recovery time is usually about the same - about 10-14 days. It's essential to keep a spayed or neutered dog's cone on, the incision site dry, and their activities limited until they fully recover from their operation.
Signs of Infection or Complications After Spaying or Neutering Your Dog
It's very rare for any complications to develop after a female dog has been spayed or a male dog has been neutered. However, there is still an element of risk with every surgical procedure.
This is why it's critical to follow your veterinarian's post-operative care instructions. If they are not followed closely, your beloved pup will be at risk for potential complications or infections, which can lengthen the post-surgical recovery period.
Some potential complications following a spay or neuter procedure include:
- Infection
- Internal bleeding
- Poorly healed surgical site
- Incontinence issues
- Hernias in female dogs
- Ovarian remnants in female dogs
- Scrotal bruising or swelling in males
- Self-inflicted complications
- Complications due to anesthesia
Here are some signs of infection to watch for after spaying or neutering your dog:
- A bad smell coming from the incision site
- Acute redness, swelling, or bruising at the incision site
- Lethargy for more than a couple of days
- Refusal to eat more than a couple of meals
- The incision site reopens
- Signs of pain for longer than a week (such as shaking, hiding or drooling)
- Vomiting or diarrhea longer than 24 hours after the procedure
- Bleeding or pus from the incision site
Your vet will provide you with more information on what you can expect immediately after having your male dog neutered or your female dog spayed. This can include some minor swelling, lethargy, and vomiting. However, If you see any of the above signs of a complication in your dog it's important to reach out to your vet right away.
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.