Warning Signs After Spaying a Dog

An ovariohysterectomy is the most common form of spaying because it is the most comprehensive. By removing both the ovaries and uterus, it stops the dog from being able to produce sex hormones which influence physical health and behavioral problems. It is a surgical procedure which requires general anesthesia for the dog. Immediately after the procedure, it is normal for the dog to be groggy.

After being spayed, a female dog usually regains consciousness after about an hour. Some may only take a few minutes. During this time, there is still anesthetic in their system, so they can be a little disorientated. They need to be supervised for a few hours, but they are usually allowed to return home on the same day.

During the first day after being spayed, it is normal for the dog to be lethargic and somewhat apathetic. This may be a result of the overall experience, not just any medication. However, once they reacclimatize to their home, they should return to normal behavior soon. Some dogs may be awake and jumping around only a short time the surgery.

If apathy and lethargy continues for a prolonged period, it is not normal. In this case, it is a warning sign after the spay surgery which indicates a problem. This could be one of the following:

• Surgery complications: such as internal bleeding from ruptured or poorly placed sutures.
• Bacterial infection: could also be during surgery or due to poor hygiene during spay recovery.
• Medication side effects: some dogs are given analgesics or even anxiolytics after surgery to which they may experience adverse reactions.
• Dehydration: not drinking enough water during recovery.
• Depression: although rare, it is possible a dog has a negative emotional response to some aspect of the spay experience.

What to do if a dog is lethargic or apathetic after spaying

If the dog is lethargic for a a day or two after surgery, it is relatively normal. However, during this time you should see them gradually return to their normal selves. Despite tiredness, we will still need to ensure they drink enough water and urinate to eliminate anesthesia.

For dogs where the lethargy and apathy is prolonged, you need to take them to a veterinarian for assessment. For surgical complications or infections, the dog is at risk of sepsis. They may go into shock, so they will need treatment as soon as possible. They will also be able to treat other issues such as changing or ceasing medications.

Learn more about this procedure with our article explaining how you can tell if a dog has been spayed.

The spay incision wound is found on the abdomen since it is from this area the veterinarian removes the sex organs. It is difficult for some dogs to reach, but most will have fairly free access. Even when the surgery has gone completely well, the incised skin will still be agitated. This will cause discomfort in the dog, although it will be relatively mild, especially in young puppies.

To relieve the sensation, dogs will try to lick their incision wound. It is normal and can last for a few days after the spay surgery. Unfortunately, licking and scratching the incision wound can introduce bacteria and infect the incision. This is very dangerous, especially because it can infect their internal tissues.

Warning signs include when the dog keep licking or trying to lick the area, but we also need to be observant for other symptoms. If the spay incision has signs of infection such as profuse bleeding, pus or a foul odor, then we can suspect an infection. If they lose their appetite, become lethargic or stop responding to stimuli, it suggests the infection has progressed.

What to do if my dog keeps licking their spay incision

As the veterinarian will tell you, preventing the animal from licking the wound is one of the most important guidelines to ensure proper healing of the injury. To do this, it will be necessary to use some system that prevents the dog from being able to access the incision wound. An Elizabethan collar is the most used canine accessory, but some dogs may use a spay recovery suit for more comprehensive protection.

If you see your dog has signs of infection, take them to a veterinarian immediately. It could be due to post-surgical infection, but it is also another potential complication in the dog after neutering. Treatment such as antibiotics or even further surgery may be required.

As you can see, the warning signs after dog spaying can be normal symptoms of recovery. The difference between a warning sign and a normal recovery sign is usually their extent. Tremors or other forms of shaking also fall into this category.

When a dog has returned from the veterinary clinic after being spayed, they may tremble for various reasons. One of the most common is the stress of the experience, with some dogs being more sensitive to veterinary visits than others. Physically, general anesthesia affects the nervous system and also reduces the animal's body temperature. This can result in shaking after being spayed.

Tremors should not persist once the general anesthesia has worn off and the dog has started to recover emotionally. If they do, it could be a warning sign of fever, possibly due to infection or another inflammatory process.

What to do if my dog is shaking after spaying

The shaking should stop within a few hours after surgery. To speed up the process, it is important that you keep the dog comfortable and warm once you get home. Place their bed in a quiet area, with dim light and without drafts or direct sources of air. If the weather is cool, place a blanket or hot water bottle near her to help her warm up.

For prolonged tremors, you will need to take the dog to a veterinarian for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about the possible causes of tremors with our article on why my dog is shaking and acting weird.

During the recovery from spaying, it is not usually necessary to change their diet in any way. They should soon regain their appetite and will eat as before. You can provide a small amount of treats to help them feel more reassured if they have found the experience traumatic.

The dog may not gain their appetite back immediately. This is often a result of the anesthesia, as well as the abdominal discomfort after the spaying procedure. Since they are not using as much energy, we can reduce the amount a little to best ensure they don't gain unnecessary weight. It is also common for the dog to have loose stools for 24-48 hours due to the procedure.

Appetite should be regained in the dog after 24-48 hours. Longer than this duration may mean there is a problem which needs to be addressed as it can suggest complications and act as a warning sign after a dog is spayed.

What to do if my dog loses their appetite after spaying

Once you get home, wait a while before offering the dog food. Let her rest and take her time, but always have fresh, clean water available. If the animal does not seem interested in eating after a few hours, you should provide them with some healthy and appetizing food. Use wet food as it is more appetizing or even make homemade food if possible.

Eating may be particularly important for dogs taking medication. Many drugs should not be taken on a empty stomach, so ensure they eat something.

If appetite loss persists, go to a veterinarian. This is especially so if the dog has vomiting and diarrhea for more than 24 hours after spaying.

Sometimes the incision area may begin to bulge in the days following surgery. It is relatively common to find a lump after spaying a dog. If the lump is soft and extensive , it may be a seroma. This is a leak of blood serum which accumulates in the area where the incision scar is located. It may appear as a consequence of traumatic tissue handling. It is relatively common and not very serious, but it does need treatment.

Hard lumps on the incision site may also appear as a result of suture absorption. This is normal and they should disappear on their own after a short time.

Lumps on the incision are warning signs when they are signs of infection or other inflammatory processes. In these cases, they may be warm to the touch, have a bad odor or even become purulent.

What to do if my dog has lumps after spaying

If we are sure the lumps are due to suture reabsorption, then we will not need to do anything. This problem will resolve on its own. For seroma in dogs, the fluid accumulation may need to be drained. We also need the seroma to be diagnosed by the veterinarian since other lumps may appear. This will require clinical diagnosis. When profuse bleeding, purulent discharge or other signs of infection occur, take them to the veterinarian immediately.

One of the most common complications in female dogs after spaying is the possibility of urinary incontinence. If it occurs during the 24 hours after surgery, it may be a normal response to the general anesthetic or even a result of going through a stressful experience.

When urinary incontinence continues after 24-48 hours have elapsed, then it could be a warning sign of a severe complication. Although rare, it is possible a tissue adhesion has been created between the bladder and uterine stump during surgery. This can cause the dog to be unable to stop the urge to pee.

What to do if my dog won't stop peeing after spaying

If you notice that your dog begins to urinate inside the home, leaves droplets of pee wherever she goes, asks you to go outside more frequently and is otherwise unable to hold her urine, you should go to your veterinarian. Although there are several possible causes of urinary incontinence in dogs, it is necessary to determine it clinically. The veterinarian may prescribe treatment such as medications, lifestyle changes or even further surgery to correct the problem.

The warning signs after spaying a dog can be hormone related. As we have already stated, ovariohysterectomy should stop the majority of sex hormone production. This means they should not go into their heat cycle and should develop a more even temperament while still maintaining their own personality.

Since it takes some time for the sex hormones to leave the dog's system, they may still be affected them for up to 2 weeks after being spayed. If the dog is still acting as if they have hormonal issues, it is possibly a warning sign of complications such a pyometra. A spayed dog should not normally develop pyometra, but it can occur if a uterine remnant is still present. This may be due to improper removal during spaying.

It is important to know that these cases are very rare, but you should take the dog to a veterinarian if you see any of these signs. The point of development at which the dog is spayed is also important. If they are spayed after their first heat cycle, they are more likely to maintain certain hormone-related behaviors because they have become assimilated into their personality. In these cases, training and education are required to redirect them.

Learn more about how sterilization affects both male and female dogs with our article on what to expect after a dog is neutered.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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