Spay/neuter advice -- please

[elarkin]

Hi all,
I read Pet Talk posts almost daily but have never posted myself until today. I have two puppies, Teddy and Ellie (5 mos.), who are going in for their spay/neuter on Monday. Any advice for making them comfortable after I bring them home? I don't really know what they should or should not do. I know a lot of you have been through this already so if you can help, that would be great. Thanks a lot.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

I am sorry I am going to be NO HELP, i've only spayed and neutered cats. What I did for them though is put their toys up untill the stitches came out, so they wouldn't play too much. Don't worry about it though they will be fine. Just ask your vet of some things to can do to make them feel comfortable.

[Logan]

I think keeping them quiet is the main thing anyone will tell you. If they aren't spending the night at the vet's office, you may find that they are a little sick to their stomach from the anesthesia. My Lilly was. But I was so happy to have her here, so I could watch after her.

Your vet will probably give you very detailed instructions about limiting activity for a while, because of the stitches, and keeping them from running and jumping once they feel better (easier said than done). But you'll be amazed how quickly they bounce back.

Good for you for going ahead and having it done now. And Welcome to Pet Talk! We're glad you posted!!

[sabies]

It's important to limit activity, hiding toys is a good idea, encourage laying down for a petting. It doesn't help to tell a puppy "take it easy, you just had surgery!" and it's not easy to keep them mellow - good luck!

By the way, my dog took a 3 foot jump the day or so after her surgery. She let out a yelp but was fine - so don't worry too much if they overexert themselves by accident unless the pain continues for more than a yelp.

[Cincy'sMom]

We just had my younger pup spayed about a month ago and my other dog a year before. Both girls did good coming home from the vet. Sadie layed around all the first night, abrely even lifting her head. She would only drink water out of my hand and overnight couldn't even go out to go potty. By the next morning she was much better and within a day wanting to run and jump and do all the things she wasn't supposed to
Cincy had an esier time with the anesthesia, but it was the third time she had had it (She has 2 eye surgeries before she was 6 months) She stilled layed around all night, but she would eat ice cubes and by about 9 or 10 o'clock ate a few pieces of Kibble. Next day she was a little better...still not quite her ornery self but by day two was again, running and juming and attacking Sadie...

It is hard to see your babies so drowsy when they come home...the seem miserable. Just know you diod the right things and they will be up and going in no time!

[anna_66]

Like everyone else said keeping their activity low for the first few days is the main thing. Roxey slept all the night she had it done and alot of the next day on & off. They just need to take it easy as not to rip the stitches out. Oh, the worst thing, the tape they have over the stitches, "ouch", it had to hurt

[Corinna]

I agree on the laying low but being puppies they won't much. If you can keep them confined in a small area it helps. We advise crating if possible to our clients for the Flathead spay and netuar task force. I had problems with Merlin tring to rip them out after the 2nd day. Luckly he heeled just fine. But he was two years old when he was done. The younger the faster they heal.

[kobieeli]

I'm not sure of your puppies' gender(s), but if you have a male you'll probably notice he bounces back from the surgery a little faster than a female does. I've heard that the spaying takes longer and is a more complex surgery than a neuter is.

Eli was neutered at 7 months, and although he was groggy that evening he seemed almost back to his playful self the next day! We had to really work at it to keep him from getting too active.

Kobie was spayed at 6 months, and even after she stayed overnight at the vet's and came home 24 hours after the surgery, she was quite an unhappy little camper. She had to wear a "lampshade" to boot, poor thing, because she wouldn't leave the stitches alone.

Your vet will probably give you all kinds of written advice and instructions, so don't worry too much! They'll be fine with a little TLC for a few days!

[ellensy]

What's easier to handle? -- having a puppy spayed, or having a fully grown dog spayed?

sorry for the dumb question

[Gio]

Welcome to Pet Talk I'll be thinking of you and your pups today.

[aly]

My newest addition was just neutered on Wednesday night. About 2 hours after his surgery, he was standing up barking and growling at the vet, yelling at him for neutering him I haven't really had to do anything to keep him comfortable. I don't think I could slow him down if I wanted to. Boys bounce back very quickly from the surgeries. Girls take a little longer, but are still fine the next day. I would limit their play, but still let them play. I probably see 30-70 animals a week go through the surgery and 90% of them are back to normal in no time. Just watch their sutures and make sure they don't get red or inflamed. Oh and ask you vet if he uses the dissolvable kind. I like those better.

Good luck!!

ellensy - Puppies handle the surgery better and bounce back a little quicker. There are a few exceptions though.

[mugsy]

12 of our 15 have been either spayed or neutered (Jessie goes in on the 28th since we thought she had been spayed and lo and behold she went into heat last week). None of ours have had an adverse reaction regardless of the age. In fact, we generally have to force them to lay low for the first night...Sox was running around like a little banshee and jumping up on the bed right after we brought her home. Dr. B. told us to limit the amount of water (a few sips the first night) and the amount of food (a bite or 2 if they want it) for the first day and then it will be fine. We have him trained...he doesn't even ask anymore if we want them to stay, because we had an argument about it the first 2 of them and we insisted that they come home because at least we would be there overnight, whereas he wouldn't be in the office. He did recommend that we NOT neuter Butterscotch and Dudley because of their ages (and Dudley's health), so we aren't. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[elarkin]

I knew you all would come through for me. Teddy and Ellie both did very well. He, as you thought he would, recovered very quickly (a little too quickly for my comfort) and she's taking longer. Teddy was pretty energetic from the time he came home yesterday but Ellie was not feeling well, upset tummy mostly and really tired. Today, they're both doing fine, eating and playing (carefully because I am a nervous mommy.) Ellie has been a little more quiet than normal which is driving her brother crazy but he's been pretty gentle with her. Thank you all for your responses. Talk again soon.

[anna_66]

Thats great to hear! Thanks for keeping us posted. Can't wait to hear more about them!

[mugsy]

I knew it would go well...and they did exactly what I figured they would do. I'm glad that everything was fine. Thanks for the update.