What You Should Not Do After Your Dog’s Spay Surgery
Spaying is a routine but significant surgical procedure that requires careful aftercare for your dog to heal properly. Post-operative care directly affects your pet’s recovery and overall health. To ensure a smooth recovery after a spay, there are several critical actions pet owners should avoid.
Why Post-Spay Recovery Matters
Although spaying is commonly performed, it’s a major surgical operation involving the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Thus, the days following spay surgery are crucial for healing. Improper care may lead to complications such as infection, wound dehiscence, or internal injury.
Top Things You Should NOT Do After Spaying
- Do NOT let your dog run or jump: Excessive activity can strain the incision site, potentially causing bleeding, swelling, or the wound to reopen.
- Do NOT allow licking or chewing at the incision: Licking introduces bacteria and can easily lead to infection or busted stitches. An E-collar or protective garment is essential.
- Do NOT bathe your dog or allow swimming: The incision must remain dry. Water exposure increases the risk of infection, delays healing, and may cause wound contamination.
- Do NOT skip checking the wound daily: Monitor for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, discharge, or foul smell to catch problems early.
- Do NOT remove the E-collar too soon: Dogs are often persistent and may wait for any unsupervised opportunity to lick the wound. Keep the collar on until healing is confirmed by a veterinarian.
- Do NOT apply creams or medications to the wound without veterinary guidance: Human topical products are not safe for dogs and may hinder healing.
- Do NOT ignore signs of pain or illness: Continued lethargy, vomiting, or discomfort needs prompt veterinary attention.
- Do NOT allow contact with other pets: Other animals, especially playful or aggressive ones, can cause unintended harm to a recovering dog.
- Do NOT miss the follow-up vet appointment: This is essential for checking wound healing and possible suture removal if non-dissolvable stitches were used.
- Do NOT give human medication: Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen can be toxic to dogs. Only give medications prescribed for your pet.
General Guidelines for a Successful Recovery
- Keep your dog indoors in a quiet, calm space.
- Use a crate or confined area to limit movement.
- Leashed walks only for bathroom breaks.
- Check the incision site 1-2 times daily.
- Monitor appetite and behavior closely for the first 48 hours.
- Feed regular food unless nausea persists.
- Administer all medications exactly as prescribed.
- Prevent exposure to dusty or muddy areas around the incision.
Recognizing Complications
It’s important to distinguish between normal healing symptoms and alarming ones. Here’s what to watch for:
- Normal: Slight swelling, light discharge first few days, mild redness, reduced activity, and slight appetite loss.
- Concerning: Yellow/green discharge, persistent vomiting, fever, incision gaping, heavy bleeding, pale gums, or painful swelling.
- Emergency: Unresponsive behavior, inability to walk, seizure, difficulty breathing, continuous bleeding or suture loss.
Final Thoughts
Spaying is an essential component of responsible pet ownership, and ensuring your dog’s recovery is equally important. By avoiding the listed actions after surgery and adhering to veterinary guidelines, you provide the best chance for a healthy, complication-free recovery. Always communicate with your vet if you notice anything unusual or if you have questions about your dog’s healing journey.
