Hi all :)

My 6 month old maltese x cavalier is at the vet as I type, getting her op. Just wondering if there's anything follow up stuff I should be aware of? I realise she'll probably be drowsy and off her food for a bit. How long do you think I need to keep her quiet, and how long does it usually take for the stitches to heal? Do some dogs bite at them? I hope they do a good job!

Thanks,
Anne

Hopefully before she leaves the surgery she will have a long lasting pain killing injection and a supply of anti-biotics to prevent infection. Make sure you keep her warm on the journey home as she will be shivery from shock and loss of fluids. Dont worry about feeding her much on the same day - its fluids she needs, offer her a small breakfast the following morning. She will be quite groggy for 12 hours or so and may need helping outside to do her business - do go with her as she may be dis orientated, dont just put her outside. She may forget her house training for a day or two. There may be the odd few drips of blood on her bedding from her wounds but it should not actually bleed. Dont bathe the wound - it should stay dry. She will be stiff the following day but by day 3 should be perking up and by day 4 should be almost back to normal. If the surgery has gone well after a week(or maybe less) she will hardly notice that she has had an op. Make sure you know how many stitches she has so you can do a quick count every now and again to make sure they haven't popped open. Mine have never tried to chew their stitches but if she does some "Bitter apple "spray will discourage her. She will have them out 10-14 days afterwards, which is very simple quick and painless. A percentage (I think about 10%) of bitches have wee incontinence to a smaller or greater degree after being spayed, which few vets mention to clients. There are also sometimes coat changes - becoming more profuse and fluffy. Hope she recovers quickly for you.

Thanks for the reply westie lover!

Nikki is home now. She's been woozy, but not shivery at all. She threw up once, but has since been fine and just sleeping it off after a drink, some food and peeing/pooing.

We didn't get any antibiotics from the vet tho? :-\

When Thistle was spayed 6 months ago they didn't give her any antibiotics to bring home. Maybe they give them a long lasting injection at the vets. Like Nikki she was sick the first night, but after that she didn't look back. I kept her quiet till she had her stitches out (no jumping) and after that she was back to normal. Hope Nikki's the same
Jane

Westilover
I was just reading your relpy re: bitch spaying. My 9mth Westie dog is booked in for castration on 20th Dec. Is the OP and recover the same for dogs. (taking the obivious differences into account). I've heard its not as bad for dogs but have never gone through this before and don't know what to expect afterwards.

Budmag

It does not require an internal operation as a spay on a bitch would but some dogs need to wear a wide collar to stop them licking until the stiches are out. As licking will make the area swell up and can cause infection or the stiches to pull through, the dog may also chew at the stiches. The dog will still have had a anaesthetic and will need the sort of care that requires, as Christmas is due 4 days after your dogs op I hope you have a quiet one planned. Ja:)kie

The morning after and she was all awake and waggy and nibbly (grr) as usual. Thanks for the info, its helped ease my mind :)

I think Molly is going to be spayed next week and I am dreading it. I say "think" because she has a few scabs which could be dermatitis so that is being checked Thursday to make sure she is 100% to have the op. I really dont want her to have it but she hasnt a choice as she has had an awful phantom pregnancy after her first season and I think it is best - going by Book of the Bitch and vet. Glad of this thread cos I would have panicked if she had been sick and I didnt know it was normal :) :)
Gina