Spay-and-Neutering-Instructions

Having surgery is never fun for anyone, including pets. When your dog gets home from being spayed, the recovery time is usually quick. Find out about the recovery process and what to keep an eye out for to ensure your baby is feeling like her old self in no time.

Spaying your dog is a great way to give your dog a longer, healthier life. It is a routine surgery and most dogs go home the same day, unless there is a complication, and recovering within a couple days. Here’s what you’ll need to know about dog spay recovery when you bring your dog home from the vet.

When You First Come Home

Before you leave the vet, schedule a post-operative check-up. They may be available for free. Your vet surgeon may have also prescribed painkillers, so make sure to have your prescription filled and use only as directed. Make sure for the ride home someone sits in the back seat with her and that you have her covered with a warm blanket. If she does pant you may remove the blanket until she stops panting. Their body temperature is lower after surgery so you want to keep them warm and not let them get a chill. Room temperature at home will be fine.

During recovery, your dog should have a quiet place to herself. Keep her away from other pets and children for a few days. Let her get a lot of rest and keep her confined in a crate or small room the first night.

Dogs often want to lick or chew the incision site, and can easily re-open the wound. Buy a blow up balloon collar for a male dog and a surgery shirt if you have a female and have her wear it for a week to keep her from reaching the site. She probably won't like it for the first day, but will get used to it. The blow up collars work amazing and are not an obstruction when they are eating or drinking.

Keep in mind that anesthesia used during surgery can upset the stomach. Restrict food intake for 12 hours, meaning NO food the day you bring her home. When you do return home, fill a small bowl with 8-10 ice cubes and wet them with a very small amount of water. Your dog is going to be very thirsty, but you do not want them to drink too much at once or they will throw up. As the ice melts they can drink that water. After an hour or so they can have as much water as they would like. Please give your dog a TEASPOON of Dyne and water to wash that down when you arrive home. Give another TEASPOON of Dyne before bed. You may skip the second dose if they are sleeping comfortable. The next morning you make give boiled chicken shredded and Success Rice mixed together with the broth. You may give this mixture three times on the first day if you would like. Don’t give pain meds on an empty stomach. Please continue this for the first three days. If you have leftover mixture after third day you may add it in with their regular kibble.

Activity Levels

For the first few weeks, don't let her jump up high onto beds, stairs, or sofas to keep her from pulling on the stitches. Don't give her a bath or let the incision site get wet for 10 days. If it gets dirty, consult with your vet about how to clean the site.

As much as possible, keep her inside. You can go on short walks with a leash but try not to let her run, jump, or play for about a week. You'll also need to keep her away from male dogs for a month after surgery, since she may still attract them and mating could hurt her.

What's Normal?

During recovery, you should expect your dog to be sleepy, and you may see some swelling or blood. Certain reactions and symptoms are normal:

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Groggy, sleepy, or agitated on the first day

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A small amount of blood around the surgery site for the first day and a small amount of swelling and redness for a week. If your dog was in heat, she may have discharge for a couple days

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A green tattoo marking her as spayed (Make sure to tell them ahead of time if you do not want this done!)

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Mild coughing for the first day or two

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Eyes that look weepy—sometimes an ointment is used during surgery

What's Not Normal and When to Seek Immediate Care

Sometimes there are complications after surgery. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should contact your vet or an animal hospital as soon as possible.

The First Day

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Your dog is unable to stand or walk after 12 hours

After the First Day

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Not eating or drinking

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Coughing

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Vomiting and diarrhea

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Symptoms of discomfort or lethargy after 48 hours

Anytime

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Difficulty breathing

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The incision re-opens

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Significant bleeding, swelling, drainage, or fever