Spay Recover

[xDeadxStarx]

My puppy got spayed yesterday, she has an e-collar and pain meds but those were the only things they mentioned at the vet's office (and having to go back to get the stitches removed), so I was just wondering what things should be and shouldn't be done during the recovery of getting spayed?

[Jaybay]

Mostly just keep her quiet.  If she's used to sleeping in a crate, that's where she needs to be for the most part.  Trips outside for the next couple of days should be done only for elimination purposes, and she should be kept on the leash at those times.  You don't want her to get running after a bird or a squirrel and risk popping the stitches and spilling her intestines out of the incision.  I know that sounds dramatic, but it's been known to happen.

Hyradration is very important to healing, so she needs to have easy access to water day and night.  She may not feel like eating much for the first 48 hours after surgery due to the anesthesia and pain.  Plain white rice and canned white chicken usually go down pretty easily in the beginning.

Just keep an eye on the incision for any swelling or redness that goes beyond the actual incision.  A tiny bit of draining between stitches is OK, but a lot of thick, smelly drainage isn't.  Incision problems or an obvious fever need to be reported to your veterinarian.  Of course, you should call your vet with any and all questions about your pup's post-op care, so don't feel foolish for making the call for more information.