Recovery After Spaying Surgery
Most pets will start to feel better in 24 - 48 hours, but full recovery takes between 10 to 14 days. During this period you should aim to keep your pet calm and refrain from allowing them to jump, as this could cause the incision to reopen.
Staying Indoors
Even if your pet normally lives outside, it is very important to keep him/her indoors at all times (except to go to the bathroom) for the next 10 days to prevent infection and allow for proper healing.
Keep your pet confined where it will be quiet and warm. DO NOT place it on a bed or other high place. Keep your pet away from other animals and children for at least 12 hours. Offer water and food in very small amounts for the first 12 hours.
Cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles
Your dog loves to be by your side, so post-op recovery is a perfect time to cozy up with your pet and relax together.
The pain associated with spay or neuter surgeries is typically more of a discomfort and may last for just a few days and should be completely gone after about a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days it's a good idea to contact your vet for further advice.
We recommend they are closely observed during the first 12 hours after surgery. It is not necessary to stay up, or sleep next to your pet and you can leave your dog alone after surgery for short periods as long as they aren't likely to lick their stitches.
Avoid running, jumping, and excessive playing. Strenuous activity increases your pet's risk of developing swelling around the incision site that could result in premature dissolving of sutures, opening of the incision, and costly medical care that would be your responsibility.
It is very important that you restrict your pet's activity. No running, jumping, rough housing allowed. Walk your pet outside on a leash to urinate and defecate. Do not let your pet run around the yard.
It's completely normal for your dog to be quieter than normal when she returns home after her spay. She may cry or moan a little, and might just feel like sleeping. It's important to let her rest, keeping her still will be essential for an uneventful recovery.
It's perfectly normal for dogs to whine after being spayed. Some amount of pain is normal for dogs that have been spayed immediately following their procedure. While some dogs can tolerate pain more than others, don't be surprised if a dog is whining a week after spay.
The cone should stay on until the site is fully healed, and/or the sutures are removed. Most sutures and staples are left in for 10-14 days. Other lesions may take less or more time than that to heal completely.
It's common for pets to be a little tired the evening after their spay or neuter surgery. But if your pet is super sleepy, not responsive to your touch or voice, or otherwise acting in a concerning manner, it's time to call your veterinarian (or an animal ER if your veterinarian's office is closed for the night).
Typically, a dog will need to wear their cone for 10 to 14 days after a spay or neuter surgery — but will need it for much longer (6 to 12 weeks) for orthopedic surgeries. With some simple conditioning, it will be much easier for you to put the cone on and take it off your dog throughout their recovery.
DOES SPAY/NEUTER CAUSE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR CHANGES IN DOGS? Many guardians of spayed dogs report significant behavior changes (skittish, aggressive, anxious) after their dog fully recovers from the spay surgery.
You can use any shirt that will cover the wound and prevent your dog from licking at it. You can make your own dog cone, too.
An average incision typically takes 10-14 days to fully heal. This means remaining disciplined as a pet owner and keeping your pet's e-collar on while limiting her activity levels for at least 2 weeks following the surgery is a must.
Yes – dogs can sleep, eat, drink, pee, and poop with a cone on. In fact, the stricter you are with the cone (officially called an Elizabethan collar or E-collar for short), the quicker your dog will get used to it.
For these, it often takes two to three days for dogs to return to their normal selves after a spay and one to two for a neuter. Dogs over three years of age may take a day or two longer to recover. In many instances, older dogs (over six) can take up to a week to feel completely better after a spay or neuter surgery.
This disorder is often referred to as “spay incontinence” because it appears in female dogs after they have been spayed. The cause of incontinence in these patients is most likely related to decreased estrogen levels associated with removing the ovaries during the spay.
And there have been cases of animals spreading resistant strains of staph infections and other diseases by licking cuts and wounds after surgery, so it's not recommended that pets be allowed in bed then.
Your dog will feel confused and uncomfortable after her surgery. Set aside extra time to snuggle with her, pet her, and just dote on your pup. The more reassurance she has from you, the better she'll feel. Your dog may also need distractions and mental stimulation if she hates being confined.