“How Long Will My Dog Be in Pain After Spaying?” – A Worried Dog Mom!
Spaying is a term that is used to define the surgical procedure known as ovarian hysterectomy. It is a procedure where the ovaries and uterus of a female dog are completely removed for performing sterilization. A modified version of ovaria hysterectomy is known as ‘ovariectomy,’ in which only the ovaries of a female dog are removed.
This article will discover the aftereffects of spaying and their duration. Once you’ve decided to get your dog spayed or neutered, it is imperative that you should know how to deal with the aftermath of spaying! You may not be 100% sure about getting your dog spayed because it does involve a great deal of emotional stress since nobody wants to see their dog go through a painful process. But it would be best if you understood that spaying would only benefit your dog in the long run, and you definitely won’t regret the decision of getting your dog spayed.
Once you’ve decided to spay or neuter your dog, you should be prepared for its aftereffects.
Spaying is the veterinarian’s job, but handling and taking care of your dog after spaying is completely your job!
We know caring for your dog after getting her spayed sounds quite a task but don’t worry because the recovery is pretty straightforward and quick!
How Should I Provide Care to My Dog?
Suppose the veterinarian decides to keep your dog admitted at the clinic/hospital for one night after spaying. In that case, your work gets reduced by half because your dog requires extra care and attention only on the first night after she is spayed.
But suppose the veterinarian discharges your dog from the hospital so that your pet is under your direct observation, then on the first night. In that case, you will have to monitor the incision and ensure that your dog doesn’t hurt the area where she is spayed.
It is extremely crucial to consider the veterinarian’s recommendations and instructions when taking care of the dog. You can ask the vet how you could monitor the incision of the pet and maybe jot down some of his instructions on paper to have a backup in uncertain situations, e.g. if your dog tried to move during the night, is it safe for her to move a little or should he be on complete bed rest?
The first night after getting your dog spayed is not for recreational activities! Once the veterinarian sends you and your pet home after spaying, take your pet straight home. This night is not for going on walks or concerts because your dog might potentially be incontinent for a couple of days! Incontinence is observed a lot in female dogs after getting spayed, and it is caused by the pressure applied to the bladder when handling tissues during the operation.
Keeping a check on the incision is extremely imperative because after getting spayed, your dog might experience redness and discharge from the incision site. You should closely monitor the swelling of the incision site, so keep looking at the opening of the incision site called dehiscence, which has brightly colored tissues.
What Is the Estimated Recovery Time for Her?
Recovery time depends majorly on the size and age of your dog, so there aren’t some fixed numbers of days or weeks estimated for recovery time.
Older dogs take more time to recover. Your dog (in most cases) will be normal and active after two to three days, but if they are still a bit lethargic, don’t fret because they might need some more time to be back too normal.
Dogs over three years may require one or two days to recover completely, whereas dogs aged 6 years and above may take a week to feel active and healthy again. Small dogs experience smaller recovery time because their incision is smaller, and hence the internal anatomy affected is smaller, therefore causing less comfort to the dog. The risk of bleeding after surgery is also lower among dogs aged two to three years.
What to Expect After Getting Her Spayed?
Be prepared to see your fur buddy vomit a lot, and don’t be tensed to see her getting lethargic. Even fully trained dogs might lack the energy to do basic stuff like going to the washroom.
Internal bleeding might also occur in your female dog. These are the three most common and immediate issues after the spaying procedure.
Your dog might also skip some meals and not have a lot of water. Don’t worry about that because veterinarians recommend giving small meals to dogs after spaying.
The symptoms and recovery time varies from dog to dog. Some dogs feel better after a day or two, while some might remain exhausted for three to four days! Some dogs lose appetite for a couple of days, while some start to remain active and ready to roll once they are discharged from the hospital!
Some dogs become lazy and cranky after spaying. Make sure you prepare a comfortable bed with some cushions to give her a relaxing environment on her recovery days.
When Should I Be Concerned?
While there is no way of knowing exactly how your pet will react after the spaying procedure, you should keep an eye out for some of these symptoms that serve as red flags and should be treated as soon as possible!
- If your dog’s favorite food doesn’t excite them anymore, then you should definitely be concerned! Dogs are big foodies, and their favorite food makes them happy like nothing else, so if that food doesn’t seem appealing to them, take it as a major red flag.
- When your dog’s incision area is badly traumatized from bleeding, discharge, or inflammation, then rush to your vet immediately.
- It is a call for concern when your pup has severe vomiting, diarrhea, and starry tools.
- Unlike humans, your dog is unlikely to vocalize its pain. Your dog might be in severe pain when he is aggressively shaking himself. More signs of discomfort are excessively foaming at the mouth, drooling, and hiding away from humans.
- Pale gums might be the indication of anemia or internal bleeding in your dog. Inspect your pup’s gums till a week or two after getting their ‘big girl task’ done!
- Your pup can also have severe discomfort and difficulty breathing. If such is the case, call your veterinarian’s professional answering service immediately or take your dog directly to the vet!
Final Thoughts
The pain might be alleviated in a couple of days, but some symptoms might continue to be manifested in your female dog for weeks. These symptoms are an increase in appetite and a decrease in activity levels. Your pup is likely to gain a few kilos after going through the spaying procedure, so don’t fret because the recovery will take some time, but your dog will be back and active soon eventually!
