Hi My GSP yesterday had to have general anesthetic to clean & stitch a vicious dog bite on her back. She has been back home since yesterday 5pm but has constantly whimpered all night & day. I've given her pain killers & antibiotics & she doesn't seem to be in pain. It seems to be more mental anguish. Has anyone experienced these after effects with their dog?

I have one dog who becomes horribly unsettled after a GA. So much so that, for her own safety, I crate her. Big comfy bed inside the crate and cover the crate with a thick dark blanket. It is the only way to stop the pacing (staggering pacing albeit!). However, she's always back to her usual self come morning and I am always amazed at how rapid their recovery is.

I have to say, I would be very worried about the whimpering. Whilst it can be anxiety, it may also be that the painkillers are not being effective. Perhaps call your vet for some advice? I understand you may not want to take her back to the surgery unnecessarily if you are concerned it is anxiety over the whole ordeal. However, in your shoes, I would at least want to talk it over with my vet.

Poor mite - I do hope she recovers from this horrible ordeal soon.

I would think that it is pain myself.  Hope she's better soon.

my last dog was traumatised after being attacked by another dog and whimpered / shook for days after :(   it may not be the drugs but the fear.  I would have a word with your vet though

Was thinking why are you thinking it is the GA it may well be the effect of being attacked or there may be further damage.

As always if you are worried contact your vet.

My SIL's Lab was given morphine after a TPLO and she was very whiney. I've had some that take ages to get the GA out of their system, but like your dog one of mine was attacked and traumatised, he cried a lot and the only place he would calm down was in the back of the Volvo where he spent most of the next few days. As soon as I felt he had recovered physically & mentally I took him out on his own to mix with other strange dogs again & thankfully he was fine.

Hi All ..Yes I did ring my VET & she said if my dog is generally improving & is just being whiney then there should be no cause for concern. The painkillers & antibiotics should kick soon & sometimes GA affects for more than 48 hours.
Today she has been proven correct because after a long romp on the moors & a belly full of food my dog is now completely settled, upside down in her bed snoring... the best sleep she's had for 2 days. The stitched up wounds are healing nicely although the drain is a bit messy. I have to visit the vet again on Tuesday. Now to fill out the insurance forms :( .
Thanks for all your posts & concerns.

Glad your dog is feeling better now.

My Dobermann has had more than his fair share of GAs and always whimpers and whines something terrible for the first couple of days. One of our previous Dobes never had to have a GA so not sure how he would have reacted, but the bitch had a couple and she would just be zonked out afterwards. Was very worried the first time the current boy reacted like he did, but he has done the same everytime since and always comes good in the end!

two days before christmas one of my dogs had to have major surger.  this was the same op as one of my other dogs had the year before. my first bitch to have the op was on morphine when she went home. she slept through me preparing her chicken and slept for the next 12 hrs. only awake to have a small meal and toilet.  I slept on the floor with her and I was awake all night!  my girl who had her op two days before christmas had morphine also but she cried most of the night, I believe she was very sore. the positioning of the dog during the op will have contributed to this and of course the op itself, and I suppose like people they all have a diff tolerance to pain.

Last year when I had a pup in hospital, I spent a lot of time with her.  The vets don't restrict "visiting hours!"

However, it did mean that I witnessed dogs being brought out of theatre, and carefully laid on blankets to come round.  I was surprised to hear the noises from some of them.  One dog in particular was howling for england.  Yet he was fast asleep!  I do think that different dogs have different reactions to anaesthetics.

My Dobermann has had more than his fair share of GAs and always whimpers and whines something terrible for the first couple of days. One of our previous Dobes never had to have a GA so not sure how he would have reacted, but the bitch had a couple and she would just be zonked out afterwards. Was very worried the first time the current boy reacted like he did, but he has done the same everytime since and always comes good in the end!

Dobes particularly seem to be quite affected by GAs and they can leave dogs feeling exactly as the op describes.  I dread whenever my Dobe has to have a GA as she panics and fights it.  She can't realax into it and won't settle afterwards, crys, and won't lie down just stands swaying, it's awful to see - I end up having to physically plonk her on a sofa and cuddle her and she eventually will relax a bit but if I move that's it she's unsettled again, and I can understand it really.  Having had GAs myself it does leave you feeling quite strange afterwards and of course they can't understand it.  Glad that your girl is feeling better.

My gsp has drainage tubes put into her wounds. She has to visit the vet on Tuesday, 5 days after her operation. Does anyone know how these drainage tubes (I believe they are called Penrose) are removed. Is it just a simple pulling out or does it require anesthetic? Also stitches ~ are they easily removed? Thanks

Don't worry. :-) Drainage tubes and stitches (I've had both removed myself so can verify this!) are painless to remove and need no anaesthetic.

Thank you Jeangenie PHEW! I couldn't bear her to go through any more trauma!  She is the sweetest of dogs and just doesn't deserve any of this! 

saga ,hope your dog is all ok,and also glad to hear I am not alone,one of my dogs had her teeth cleaned and one extracted,it was a couple of years ago,cried all the way home,all evening,and cried in her sleep, had painkillers so I know it wasn't pain.needless to say I was up all night fretting,but of course when she woke up in the morning,it was game on as usual.

Whis had his anal glads removed he was fine but collapsed twice, all shakey and distressed. Two days later off with the larks right as rain, caused me a sleepless night I thought he was dying!!! They think it was anesthetic reaction. It wasn't the first time though the second!?? time he had been knocked out the forst was castration.

ALL seems well .. Rio had her penrose drain removed yesterday. Is still on anti biotics but is in good spirits. The stitches come out on Monday.
Thank you all for your support & comments it has been a great help. LIZ & RIO X

Pleased that she is recovering nicely!  Well done.  :-)

Unfortunately now the drain has been removed she has developed a seroma!!  :(  She is ok in herself but it looks awful. As it is Sunday I am trying not to worry about it just keeping an eye on it. She is seeing the vet tomorrow for the stitches to be removed.. Hopefully the swelling will go away on it's own.. Oh dear what a worry these furry angels are!!