How to Care for a Dog After Spaying

For many pet owners, a dog's spay is the first surgery they will experience - and hopefully the last! A female dog's spay is more invasive than a male dog's neuter, and therefore she can take longer to recover. Learn how to care for a dog after spaying.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bland Food, Water
• Betadine
• Cone

1. Keep Her Separated
   
   After getting spayed, a dog will probably experience a few, if not all, of the following symptoms: lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea and aggression. It's best to keep her away from any other pets and small children so that she can rest. Because she can experience the effects of anesthesia for several hours after the spay, she should be isolated from others for 24 hours.

2. Provide Food and Water
   
   The dog was given plenty of fluids during the spay procedure, so she'll most likely be urinating frequently during the first 24 hours. Be sure to provide adequate amounts of water so that she can re-hydrate herself. While many dogs may not want to eat immediately following the spay, it's good to try to provide a small amount of food. Because the dog's tummy may be sensitive - and because you don't want her straining herself when she uses the bathroom - consider giving your dog a bland combination of cooked chicken and rice to eat.

3. Keep Her Away from the Stitches
   
   Once the grogginess of the anesthesia wears off, she will probably become aware that she has stitches. These will more than likely irritate her because they will feel itchy, and she may try to scratch or bite at them. The vet will provide a "cone" for the dog to wear after spaying to prevent her from agitating the stitches.

4. Clean the Incision
   
   Be sure to clean the incision several times a day. The vet will provide betadine (and possibly some oral antibiotics), which should be applied and allowed to air-dry. The area around the stitches may swell a bit because fluid has built up, but be on the lookout for excessive swelling, redness or oozing. Any of these signs may indicate infection, and the spay incision should be looked at by the vet promptly.

5. Keep the Dog Calm
   
   After just a day or two after spaying, the dog will more than likely feel like her old self again. Try to keep her from getting overexcited, and limit her activity. Excessive running or jumping may cause the incision to re-open. If this happens, call the vet immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to make an appointment to have the stitches removed (if they don't dissolve). Stitches left in past when they should can cause infection.

Resources

• How to Treat and Cure a Dog's Eye Infection
• How to Get Rid of Ear Mites in Dogs

[kvnboutte]

on 8/18/2009 Good tips...thanks for the article. My vet did not give me any instructions on how to care for my dog when I got her home.

[godfather25]

on 7/11/2009 These are very important tips. Good article.

[jseven]

on 7/9/2009 Good tips to keep them comfortable as possible.

[mommyhen42]

on 7/7/2009 Make sure she is drinking after the surgery. Twice I have had to offer pedialiyte with beef broth to entice a dog to drink after surgery as they wanted NO part of water. 5* Your dog will love you for the extra care. Also no jumping as this can tear the sutures as well