A small number of studies report that unspayed female dogs who are aggressive to family members may become more aggressive after they're spayed. This could be caused by a decrease in estrogen and oxytocin, both of which may have calming, anti-anxiety effects.
However, spaying does not change your dog's personality. She will not be any less hyper or aggressive after spay surgery if those are her normal personality traits. Spaying will simply calm the aggressive and hyperactive behaviors associated with them being in heat.
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.
Neutering is a reasonably safe process; however, you can expect sharp changes in your dog's attitude right when you bring them home from the procedure. These side effects can range from increased aggression, depression, anxiety, or even clinginess; however, they only last for a short amount of time.
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.
Some females become irritable or anxious and others might feel pain. Because spayed dogs don't have to go through these hormonal changes, their behavior may be more consistent. Females may show less aggression towards dogs and humans after they're spayed.
Generally, spaying or neutering your pet will not change its personality. If there are any effects on behaviour, they tend to be positive (reducing unwanted behaviour). Spaying or neutering will not change your pet's affection level or playfulness. For females, there is typically no change at all.
Your dog will be calmer if his environment is calm. Put him in a quiet room without a lot of noise or other distractions. Stay calm, use a calm voice, and don't be too active around him. Getting too excited around your dog could rile him up.
Occasionally the disorientation can cause some dogs to show aggressive behaviour after their operation. This should only be temporary but if it lasts for more than a few hours, it could suggest they're in pain.
After Spay Surgery
Sometimes, a pet who is spayed can return home the same day. Other times, she may need to spend the night under veterinary supervision. Pain medication can be given to your pet if she needs it, but most don't. Your pet may be nauseous following the procedure and not want to eat for a day or two.
Your pet needs to be kept in an indoor crate/ kennel for most of the day and night for the next 10 days. The time of highest risk for the sutures breaking down is 3-5 days after surgery.
If your dog seems hyper, or overly-excited, the problem likely stems from boredom and a lack of stimulation. So in order to address the problem, you have to assess the way you are interacting with your dog and the kind of activity your dog gets on a daily basis.
A lot of owners find their dog chills out more after being neutered whether they're male or female. While neutering your dog might help to calm them down a bit, sometimes that's not the only cause of a dog being a bit much. You might find they aren't getting enough exercise and need to let off steam.
Ovarian remnant syndrome is a condition that occurs when ovarian tissue remains inside the body after a female dog is spayed. This tissue can produce estrogen, triggering signs of heat in the dog. In an intact female dog, the ovaries produce hormones, including estrogen.
How long can I leave my dog alone after being spayed? After the first 24-48 hours, it should be okay to start leaving your dog at home. However, for the first 3-5 days of your dog's recovery, you should only leave your dog alone for up to four hours.
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. In fact, many dogs will appreciate some quiet time and the opportunity to sleep after the anaesthetic.
After surgery, you need to have your pet rest and heal for ten to fourteen days and limit physical activity. Among those limits includes not allowing her or him to jump after surgery because jumping could cause the sutures to open, which would cause additional health problems and complications.
An age of six to nine months of age may be appropriate for neutering or spaying a toy breed puppy or small breed puppy but a larger or giant breed may need to wait until they are near or over 12-18 months of age.
Hormones play a large role in your dog's emotional state, and when surgical procedures disrupt your pet's hormone levels, depression often follows. Dogs who've been spayed or neutered are the most likely to suffer hormonally triggered depression, thanks to the removal of their reproductive organs.
Here are some symptoms we can look for that MIGHT indicate trauma in a dog: Anorexia, won't eliminate, pacing, inability to sleep, hyper-vigilance, extreme fear, being easily startled, outbursts of aggression or rage that have no predictable pattern, and refusal to play.
Symptoms of PTSD in dogs can include: panic, panting, fearfulness, being timid and clinging to their owners, aggressive reactions in dogs that were never aggressive before, depression, and hyper-vigilance (especially for working dogs and guard breeds).
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Cats and Dogs
Trauma can also manifest as “shaking, hiding, urination and/or defecation when the trigger attempts to interact, howling, pacing, excessive vocalization, and panting,” says Pia Silvani, director of behavioral rehabilitation at the ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.