Problems with spaying

5518 Views 23 Replies 11 Participants Last post by jester's mom, Dec 9, 2009

dt7624

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2009

I've only had males so I'm not sure what to expect so thought I'd ask your opinions. Lucy was spayed last Friday - came home and slept alot but was acting fine, chewing bones, eating, etc. until Sat. afternoon. Then she started panting and acting restless, trying to run in circles and by Sunday night I was holding her down to keep her from tearing her incision or stitches. I took her to the vet this morning and they increased her pain meds and added an antibodic but she seems to just be getting worst. The only way I can keep her still is in her crate with one of those collars on that is way too big. I'm afraid she's going to strangle herself in it since it's so loose. This evening her incision was red and swollen. I called the vet again and they said to give her another 24 hours. Is this common after being spayed? She is so miserable I'm not sure what to do. Thanks for any thoughts.

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Mandycasey'smom

· #2 · Dec 8, 2009

no wouldn't say normal at all but could she just need some excersize?

I have never even given a dog pain meds after a spay so wonder if maybe the drugs are bothering her?
To me this is really odd and if your not comfortable I would get her into vet asap as it could be as simple as needing a walk to something worse like a reaction to meds.

taxtell

· #3 · Dec 8, 2009

Hmm, sometimes when they are healing they have a bit of suture reaction. There is a layer of suture under the skin, and it can cause inflammation and itching as it absorbs and she heals. Is there a hard lump at the bottom of the incision?
As long as things aren't open, oozing or smelling bad, she should be fine. I hope this passes quickly for her. Poor girl.

bigpoodleperson

· #4 · Dec 8, 2009

no wouldn't say normal at all but could she just need some excersize?

No, no exercise!!! The least amount of activity the better!!! Pain meds are also very benifecial after a spay. Dogs heal faster, better and more comfortablly with pain meds (actual studies have been done on this). I always feel bad for pets who are spayed/neutered without pain meds.

I would definatly keep her crated with the e-collar on! It probably looks way too big, but it has to come beyond the tip of her nose in order to keep her from licking at herself. See how it does overnight, and call your vet in the morning with an update. As Traxell said, as long as its not open or oozing then she might be fine.

Can you take her temperature at home (if over 102.5-103F then she is running a fever and i would call a vet that is open)? She just might be overly sensitive. Pain meds and antibiotics are good. Perhaps ask your vet for a sedative for the rest of the recovery period to help her relax. I hope everything goes ok with her! Good luck!

Mandycasey'smom

· #5 · Dec 8, 2009

I didn't mean a crazy zoomie run but she should be able to be going for a gentle walk on a leash now. it is amazing how even 10 minutes seams to calm them.

She is apperently uncomfortable and needs something.
Never even had a vet offer pain meds after a spay. I know that on tylonol 3 i don't sleep well but anything higher then that like percaset I have reactions so can't take.

Good luck to her and hope you find out a solution soon

desertreef

· #6 · Dec 8, 2009

How is she this morning?
Could be an alergic reaction to the product used?
I've not had any problems at all so this would concern me too.

Olie

· #7 · Dec 8, 2009

My Aoki acted very strange afterwords. To the point that our Vet said she was a bit spoiled and being dramatic. It is uncomfortable for them sure, but to be tearing at the sutures is concerning..... Thats why laser and glue is so much better IMO. I would not be using pain meds because it does not seem like its pain it's just the irritation bothering her. Maybe a benedryl to relax her (not now) she's on enough but I would not give that anymore because that causes them to be even more unlike themselves. I would not let her in the crate with the e-collar either. Just let her out of you have too. Good luck. Wish I had more to offer.

bigpoodleperson

· #8 · Dec 8, 2009

I really dont want to sound mean or snobbish, but working at a vets and seeing how much trouble dogs can get into after surgery, i have to say a couple more things.

Pain meds are good!!! We send home a 5 day course of them. They not only allievate pain which helps the pet relax and actually HEAL, they reduce the inflammation with the surgery. Would any of you want to go through a Major (yes major, just becasue its routine doesnt mean it isnt hard on them) surgery with no or only a couple days worth of pain meds?

Also, e-collars are Life Savers! If she is in her crate alone without one and wanting to lick or tear out her staples then she needs it! It is Much better for her to have it on then opening her incision and having to have Another surgery to fix it!! Monday we just had to take a dog back to surgery and re-close the wound as his owner left him alone and he did alot of damage.

Any updates on how she is doing today? I hope she feels better soon!

KPoos

· #9 · Dec 8, 2009

I want to say one thing about pain meds. Certain ones make your skin crawl and make you itch. I've had to take them before and it never fails, I feel like I could scratch my skin off. Maybe she's having that type of reaction and it's bothering her?

Olie

· #10 · Dec 8, 2009 (Edited)

bigpoodleperson said:
I really dont want to sound mean or snobbish, but working at a vets and seeing how much trouble dogs can get into after surgery, i have to say a couple more things.

Pain meds are good!!! We send home a 5 day course of them. They not only allievate pain which helps the pet relax and actually HEAL, they reduce the inflammation with the surgery. Would any of you want to go through a Major (yes major, just becasue its routine doesnt mean it isnt hard on them) surgery with no or only a couple days worth of pain meds?

Also, e-collars are Life Savers! If she is in her crate alone without one and wanting to lick or tear out her staples then she needs it! It is Much better for her to have it on then opening her incision and having to have Another surgery to fix it!! Monday we just had to take a dog back to surgery and re-close the wound as his owner left him alone and he did alot of damage.

Any updates on how she is doing today? I hope she feels better soon!

I dont think your mean or snobby you have your experiences which is great - for me and agree that baby tylenol or motrin is fine for swelling but from my experiences with PK in dogs it has not been good, pain medicine can alter behavior - fact and this could be causing the increased irratability. Also I agree with the e-collar if it fits, this one does not so No in this situation I would get one that fits or not have it in the crate, still agreeing they are life savors if used and fitted correctly.

If pain meds seem to work for the dog then it's fine and I would use but this situation seems that it is a possiblity not to rule out.

Bella's Momma

· #11 · Dec 8, 2009

Poor girlie, how is she doing?

taxtell

· #12 · Dec 8, 2009

Olie said:
I dont think your mean or snobby you have your experiences which is great - for me and agree that baby tylenol or motrin is fine for swelling but from my experiences with PK in dogs it has not been good, pain medicine can alter behavior - fact and this could be causing the increased irratability. Also I agree with the e-collar if it fits, this one does not so No in this situation I would get one that fits or not have it in the crate, still agreeing they are life savors if used and fitted correctly.

If pain meds seem to work for the dog then it's fine and I would use but this situation seems that it is a possiblity not to rule out.

Ack not to be a pain either, but Tylenol and Ibuprofen are both VERY hard on dogs, (potentially deadly) you want to stick with plain coated aspirin or pet specific pain meds!

taxtell

· #13 · Dec 8, 2009

bigpoodleperson said:
I really dont want to sound mean or snobbish, but working at a vets and seeing how much trouble dogs can get into after surgery, i have to say a couple more things.

Pain meds are good!!! We send home a 5 day course of them. They not only allievate pain which helps the pet relax and actually HEAL, they reduce the inflammation with the surgery. Would any of you want to go through a Major (yes major, just becasue its routine doesnt mean it isnt hard on them) surgery with no or only a couple days worth of pain meds?

Also, e-collars are Life Savers! If she is in her crate alone without one and wanting to lick or tear out her staples then she needs it! It is Much better for her to have it on then opening her incision and having to have Another surgery to fix it!! Monday we just had to take a dog back to surgery and re-close the wound as his owner left him alone and he did alot of damage.

Any updates on how she is doing today? I hope she feels better soon!

I agree 100%..I hate when we have to go back in! It is horrible.

Do you ever see the suture reaction at your clinic?

I am a HUGE fan of Metacam, I think it's the best out there.

bigpoodleperson

· #14 · Dec 8, 2009

Yes, we see suture reactions. We had a poor little bulldog that had to have a tail amputation (what was left of it), and he had a Horrible reaction to all of the sutures! It was bad, and the whole tail came open. Unfortunatly you never know who is going to have a reaction to what. Mostly its just mild redness and swelling though.

Most people dont know how e-collars should be fitted. We have people think we send home Way too big ones all the time. They then cut them down at home, and the dog can reach whatever we were trying to keep them away from. :doh:

taxtell

· #15 · Dec 8, 2009

Ha yeah, we get that too.

We tried those 'whiplash' collars for a bit too, but they are also pretty much futile.

I have a whole discharge speech for the e-collars now. :/

bigpoodleperson

· #16 · Dec 8, 2009

I have a 2 page discharge sheet!! Some people just take common sense and throw it right out the window. :doh: *talking about noone on here

*

taxtell

· #17 · Dec 8, 2009

I have had a person throw one in our trash on the way out of the door!

Seriously.

Gotta love it.

dt7624

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 9, 2009

Thank you for all the helpful comments. Lucy's doing a little better but boy was last night bad. I almost took her to the ER - she was so agitated and just acting out of control but the vet said to wait 24 hours unless her incesion was open. I was afraid to leave her in her crate that she would strangle herself with the collar not fitting properly so I put her in our bed with a leash beside me so she couldn't move and tried to just comfort her. It was a really long night! That huge collar was not comfortable for anyone and I didn't have her pain!

I agree that she needs exercise but the vet said that she can not move around that it will cause more inflamation and longer to heal and it does make sense. When I take her outside on her leash, she tries to take off like a bat out of hell but I can't let her. One good thing about the collar is that she doesn't move with it on and she can't get to her stomach. This morning her incision was so swollen that the stitches were embedded. It looked so painful but her panting has stopped so the added pain meds must be helping.

I thought about maybe a reaction to meds but it seemed like the panting and weird behavior was from pain. It didn't let up when it was time for her next dosage as the meds would be wearing off. I can't imagine having surgery without pain meds and it does seem as if you would heal faster if you're not so stressed out by pain.

I called the vet this afternoon but they said to wait another 24 hours that it takes awhile for the antibodics to work. It is so hard keeping her still. I've been giving her chews to distract her but one of us has to be right next to her so she doesn't move and she can't be left alone. Tonight she does seem better though. I can't wait for this to be over - she's been in so much pain. Doesn't it seem that spaying could be done laproscopy it not so invasive.

Thanks so much!

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Olie

· #19 · Dec 9, 2009

taxtell said:
Ack not to be a pain either, but Tylenol and Ibuprofen are both VERY hard on dogs, (potentially deadly) you want to stick with plain coated aspirin or pet specific pain meds!

I didn't mean motrin but the others I did, I have not used but my vet did recommed a specific dosage for my poms when they were spayed and neutered. Neither were sent with pain killers or antibiotics but both had laser not sure that was why.......but I will look at that. It can cause death if they over dosed with the medication, this is why it is always best to use a vets recommendation and dosage NEVER just give a dog or cat OTC w/o knowing whats safe or not.

I hope things get taken care of soon, its an unpleasant experience as it is.

artsycourtneysue

· #20 · Dec 9, 2009

I am glad Lucy is doing a little better. We just had Cozi spayed last week too. Today is day 8. It has been a lot more difficult than I expected as well...I don't want her to have to be in her crate all day but it was definitely hard to keep her from running and jumping and agitating the stitches.

She is much better now but the first 3 days she was pretty irritated and I had to tie her to our coffee table so that she could be out but not run around...she just kept sitting and giving me a sad face....

I hope it gets better for Lucy!!! I didn't expect it to be so hard for Cozi but it is getting better too...

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