Have you just get your dog spayed? If so, then we can’t help but saying you’ve done a great job. Spaying is the key to controlling the pet population. Recovery from spaying usually takes up to 10 to 14 days. However, many dog owners aren’t aware of that. In fact, they don’t even have the slightest clue of the symptoms they’ll soon find post-surgery. As soon as those symptoms start showing, they almost end up having no idea what to do about them and start worrying.
Hence, we’ve decided to discuss this matter so that you don’t go through the same things we’ve just said. We’re going to be discussing things like the basic definition of spaying, are they safe or not, the decision to get your dog spayed is worth it or not, and many more things that dog owners usually have but don’t know the answer to them. Let’s take a look then, shall we?
What is Spaying?
Spaying is an invasive process where the vet cuts the abdominal wall thoroughly. It needs minimal hospitalization and offers numerous lifelong health benefits. Overall, spaying helps mitigate some undesirable behaviors that you’ll commonly find in female dogs like aggression, roaming, and mounting. It’s also effective in preventing unwanted puppies. It’s the best way to reduce the overall number of unwanted pets in your area.
Many people think spaying and neutering are the same terms, which is actually not. Yes, both of these processes refer to a surgical procedure that’ll make your pet incapable of reproducing. Still, spaying indicates the surgical fertilization of a female animal through the removal of ovaries and the uterus, while keeping it under general anesthesia. On the other hand, neutering means the surgical removal of the testicles from male dogs while keeping them sedated with general anesthesia.
Benefits of Spaying
The decision of spaying your female furry friend may not seem like something necessary to do, however, going through this emotional process is definitely worth it; for you and your canine companion. Spaying keeps your dog protected from uterine infections and breast cancer.
Though cycles can vary, female dogs generally go into heat four to five days once in three weeks during the season of breeding. However, if you’ve already spayed it, then it’ll yowl and urinate more frequently to catch the attention of mates instead of roaming outside in the heat.
Moreover, one of the greatest benefits you’ll get is control over your dog’s reproducing abilities. Stray dogs pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, cause harm to the local fauna and scare the children. With spaying, you’ll be able to reduce the number of such animals on the street.
Is It Safe For Dogs?
Spaying is 100% safe for dogs. Surgeries related to this process are quite common veterinary medical procedures. Most vets have a great number of experiences of performing them. However, like people, it sure does involve some level of risk at a minimal level. Still, don’t worry as the vet will keep a close eye on your pet and be on the lookout for any signs of illness or complications during the entire procedure.
How to Help Dogs Feel More Comfortable After Spaying?
It’s not unusual for most dog owners for wanting to help their dogs get enough rest and feel as comfortable as possible after they’re done going through this process. Here are some things you can follow to make your dog feel comfortable after spaying:
- Ensure a quiet place where it can recover indoors and stay away from other pets
- Restrict its running and jumping for two weeks following the surgery. Follow the instructions your vet provided to you regarding activity seriously.
- Make your dog wear an Elizabethan collar or post-operative jumpsuit or recovery suit. With these wearing, you’ll be able to prevent your dog from getting its tongue on the incision site.
- Don’t bathe your dog or let it swim if you want the incision site to heal as quickly as possible. You need to make sure of this at least for 10 minimum days after the surgery.
- Inspect the incision site every day for signs of infection. Moreover, if you notice any redness, swelling, discharge at the site or if you see the incision has opened, you should immediately contact your vet. You should also immediately contact the vet if your dog seems lethargic to you, stops consuming food, has developed diarrhea, or starts to vomit.
Will The Dog Have Pain Meds after Surgery?
Throughput the surgery, your dog won’t have any consciousness, it’ll be clueless about what’s happening to it and most importantly, it won’t feel any kind of pain. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean it’s immune to feeling any sort of pain after the surgery.
As soon as it wakes up after the surgery, you’ll need medication to keep the pain in control. After the surgery, the vet will administer your dog with long-term pain medication with an injection which will last for 12-24 hours approximately. The vet will then prescribe you any take-home medications that can ease up your dog’s post-surgery pain. Some of these medications include the use of Torbugesic or Rimadyl.
When it’s about giving pain medications to your dog, it’s your responsibility to follow the instructions carefully. Don’t ever think of administering human pain medications. Some of them can have a poisonous effect on your dogs.
How Long Will My Dog be in Pain After Spaying?
When you pick your dog up from the vet’s office after the surgery, it may look tired, queasy, or anything that they didn’t show when they were their usual self. These are all typical side effects of general anesthesia. The following day, it’ll start acting more like itself and show little or no sign of pain.
Even if you see your dog facing some sort of discomfort after the surgery, it’ll last for a few days only and will completely go away after a week. If it’s experiencing any pain or discomfort for more than a few days and a week, immediately make calls to your vet for further advice and assistance.
Final Thoughts
You should always remember that pain is pretty much normal for your dog to experience after spaying. However, if you know your dog best and if the way it’s acting seems unusual and abnormal, then you should go to the veterinary’s office without making any delay. In this way, you’ll be able to reassure yourself about the worries you developed.
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