Help with Spaying

Luxie · 07-19-2011, 02:08 PM

Luxie is getting spayed tomorrow at 7am. Does anyone have any tips or advise what I should do for her? Do I need to put her on antibiotics, use a bite neck collar, or any other tips people have. She's 5 months old. I would love any advice. Thanks so much!

**gsdraven** · 07-19-2011, 02:18 PM

The vet should tell you all of that. They may give her antibiotics and/or some pain meds. The no bite collar is something handy to have around but it depends on if she has external stitches or bothers the area. They drive me nuts so I used a t-shirt for Raven tied at the waist so she couldn't get to the incision and used the collar when she wasn't supervised closely.

Have stuff to keep her occupied and calm while she is recovering (frozen kongs for example). It's been a couple of years since Raven was spayed but my foster girl had her surgery today so I'll be reminded of all the tricks when I pick her up tonight.

n2gsds · 07-19-2011, 02:41 PM

My Jenny was spayed yesterday. I think that I had a worse time than she did. I cried because it was such an important and controversial decision but in the end know that it was the right one for us. So what to expect: Each dog is different. Jenny was very groggy when she got home yesterday evening, fed her just a tiny bit so she wouldn't throw up, she drank some water, got her Rimadyl pain med and went to sleep. Today she wants to play ball, fetch the stick, etc. I am watching her carefully and crating her when she needs to get rest. We are definitely not doing any physical activity other than going out to the bathroom. They used dissolvable stitches and put glue on the outside incision to help seal it. We go back in about 10 days for the vet to just check the incision. Her appetite is back to normal. She hasn't bothered the incision so no Elizabethan collar needed so far. I had her microchipped while under too. Are you planning to have the pre-anesthesia bloodwork done? If not, I would definitely suggest it. Jenny did get an antibiotic but only because she had "puppy acne" on her belly. Good luck and keep us posted!

wyominggrandma · 07-19-2011, 04:02 PM

Mainly keep her from doing any jumping and running around for a few days to help the incision heal without pulling apart. We also use dissolvable sutures and to be honest, very few girls need a collar to prevent licking. None of my girls ever have used one or needed to use one, they left the incision. However, if she does start licking it, please get a collar to stop her. Licking the incision irritates it, makes the tissues swell and can actually open up. Most vets do a double closure, so the guts will not fall out if the incision opens, but its best if she does not lick at all. We keep them overnight and suggest when they go home to give half the usual food intake that evening and make sure they are drinking normally , peeing and pooping. Peeing especially since sometimes the bladder gets a bit irritated during surgery.
I have had all my girls spayed by six months and have never had an issue after surgery either from the surgery itself or after effects of spaying.
We also tell folks to please call if they have any questions or concerns at all. No question is stupid or a waste of time.
She will do fine.

Freestep · 07-19-2011, 05:38 PM

At her young age, she should bounce right back from surgery. She'll be groggy for about 12 hours from the sedation meds, but after that, you will probably have to FORCE her to take it easy, as she'll be feeling like running around playing and doing all her normal doggie things! So try to keep her relatively quiet for a week to ten days, until her sutures are out. And no baths or swimming until the sutures are out.

Most females don't need a collar to prevent licking the area, but it's good to have one on hand just in case. The vet may or may not prescribe antibiotics for her, but most of the time it isn't necessary. The vet should fill you in on all the details. Don't worry, she will be fine.

malinois_16 · 07-19-2011, 05:44 PM

5 months IMO is way to young to spay. You shouldnt spay/neuter until growth plates have closed and thats not until about 2 years.

Recovery is pretty quick

Luxie · 07-20-2011, 08:44 PM

Been a nervous wreck all day with lux getting spayed today.. She's slept about three hours and she's awake now in lots of pain sooo sad

.... She ate a little and drank a good bit of water.

AddieGirl · 07-20-2011, 08:49 PM

Did she get pain medication? Sorry she is hurting

Addie is getting spayed next month when she's 6 1/2 months old and I am already nervous about it. Hope she feels better soon!

n2gsds · 07-20-2011, 09:23 PM

Glad Luxie is home but sorry she is in pain. I've been lucky with Jenny and she responds well to the Rimadyl. Today is the 3rd day and I have trouble holding her back. She wants to do everything but take it easy. Give Luxie lots of love and attention and if she didn't get pain meds, I would call the vet. No need in her being in pain.

Luxie · 07-22-2011, 07:20 PM

Oh yea she got two pain shots before we left the vet and she is on Rimydal. She has been crazy today. I mean crazy running, chewing, playing with her 2 year old sister like nothing happened. I've tried my best to keep her calm. She hasn't really been licking at the stiches but I've kept the cone collar on her when I can watch her and when we sleep. Other than thats its going great today!!

07-19-2011, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Luxie Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 70	Help with Spaying Luxie is getting spayed tomorrow at 7am. Does anyone have any tips or advise what I should do for her? Do I need to put her on antibiotics, use a bite neck collar, or any other tips people have. She's 5 months old. I would love any advice. Thanks so much!

07-19-2011, 02:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
gsdraven Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mont Co, PA Posts: 4,627	The vet should tell you all of that. They may give her antibiotics and/or some pain meds. The no bite collar is something handy to have around but it depends on if she has external stitches or bothers the area. They drive me nuts so I used a t-shirt for Raven tied at the waist so she couldn't get to the incision and used the collar when she wasn't supervised closely. Have stuff to keep her occupied and calm while she is recovering (frozen kongs for example). It's been a couple of years since Raven was spayed but my foster girl had her surgery today so I'll be reminded of all the tricks when I pick her up tonight. __________________ Jamie Raven (GSD) - December 8, 2007 Kaiser (GSD) - November 2009 Lead The Way Life's Abundance

07-19-2011, 05:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,087	At her young age, she should bounce right back from surgery. She'll be groggy for about 12 hours from the sedation meds, but after that, you will probably have to FORCE her to take it easy, as she'll be feeling like running around playing and doing all her normal doggie things! So try to keep her relatively quiet for a week to ten days, until her sutures are out. And no baths or swimming until the sutures are out. Most females don't need a collar to prevent licking the area, but it's good to have one on hand just in case. The vet may or may not prescribe antibiotics for her, but most of the time it isn't necessary. The vet should fill you in on all the details. Don't worry, she will be fine. __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

07-20-2011, 08:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Luxie Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 70	Been a nervous wreck all day with lux getting spayed today.. She's slept about three hours and she's awake now in lots of pain sooo sad.... She ate a little and drank a good bit of water.

07-20-2011, 09:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
n2gsds Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 256	Glad Luxie is home but sorry she is in pain. I've been lucky with Jenny and she responds well to the Rimadyl. Today is the 3rd day and I have trouble holding her back. She wants to do everything but take it easy. Give Luxie lots of love and attention and if she didn't get pain meds, I would call the vet. No need in her being in pain. __________________ Brenda & Jenny AKA Brenleigh's Lady Guinevere RIP-Carleigh 8/98-12/10

07-19-2011, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
n2gsds Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 256	My Jenny was spayed yesterday. I think that I had a worse time than she did. I cried because it was such an important and controversial decision but in the end know that it was the right one for us. So what to expect: Each dog is different. Jenny was very groggy when she got home yesterday evening, fed her just a tiny bit so she wouldn't throw up, she drank some water, got her Rimadyl pain med and went to sleep. Today she wants to play ball, fetch the stick, etc. I am watching her carefully and crating her when she needs to get rest. We are definitely not doing any physical activity other than going out to the bathroom. They used dissolvable stitches and put glue on the outside incision to help seal it. We go back in about 10 days for the vet to just check the incision. Her appetite is back to normal. She hasn't bothered the incision so no Elizabethan collar needed so far. I had her microchipped while under too. Are you planning to have the pre-anesthesia bloodwork done? If not, I would definitely suggest it. Jenny did get an antibiotic but only because she had "puppy acne" on her belly. Good luck and keep us posted!

07-19-2011, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
wyominggrandma Master Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 983	Mainly keep her from doing any jumping and running around for a few days to help the incision heal without pulling apart. We also use dissolvable sutures and to be honest, very few girls need a collar to prevent licking. None of my girls ever have used one or needed to use one, they left the incision. However, if she does start licking it, please get a collar to stop her. Licking the incision irritates it, makes the tissues swell and can actually open up. Most vets do a double closure, so the guts will not fall out if the incision opens, but its best if she does not lick at all. We keep them overnight and suggest when they go home to give half the usual food intake that evening and make sure they are drinking normally , peeing and pooping. Peeing especially since sometimes the bladder gets a bit irritated during surgery. I have had all my girls spayed by six months and have never had an issue after surgery either from the surgery itself or after effects of spaying. We also tell folks to please call if they have any questions or concerns at all. No question is stupid or a waste of time. She will do fine.

07-19-2011, 05:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
malinois_16 Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 743	5 months IMO is way to young to spay. You shouldnt spay/neuter until growth plates have closed and thats not until about 2 years. Recovery is pretty quick

07-20-2011, 08:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
AddieGirl Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 353	Did she get pain medication? Sorry she is hurting Addie is getting spayed next month when she's 6 1/2 months old and I am already nervous about it. Hope she feels better soon!

07-22-2011, 07:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Luxie Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 70	Oh yea she got two pain shots before we left the vet and she is on Rimydal. She has been crazy today. I mean crazy running, chewing, playing with her 2 year old sister like nothing happened. I've tried my best to keep her calm. She hasn't really been licking at the stiches but I've kept the cone collar on her when I can watch her and when we sleep. Other than thats its going great today!!

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