What to expect after spaying?

[Bluecatt]

Well, we've booked Magic to be spayed on Aug. 18th (one day before her 6 month birthday!!) I feel so bad putting her thru it, I hope she'll be okay. :sad:

Can anyone tell me what we should expect with her after the surgery? Behaviour? Pain? Level of activity? Will she be able to go outside to pee?

We're going to bring her home from the vet that evening, after the surgery. We don't want her staying locked up in a cage all night. Thankfully my husband is a stay-at-home dad so he and the kids will be with her during the day.

[bendyfoot]

She'll be just fine. Probably quiet and a little dopey from the anaesthetic the night you get her back. She'll probably want to pee, have a nice little snack and some water and then nap. But expect her to be back to about 70-80% normal the next morning and likely 100% the day after that. There should be little to no pain or discomfort. You'll likely have a hard time keeping her quiet (no big running or jumping) for the recommended 10-14 days. She'll definitely be able to go out to pee right from the get-go, but keep her on a leash so you have control if she decides to get the zoomies.

[kathryn]

Uh, there's nothing to feel horrible about. You are preventing unwanted pregnancies among other things. Spay surgeries are more complicated then neuters, but overall it is a complete basic and routine procedure.

For dogs, when you get them fixed you have to take them outside on a leash.

For cats, you just want to make sure they don't get litter in their wounds.

It's not complicated at all and the vet will give you post op and pre op instructions.

[badger]

There should be little to no pain or discomfort.

But ask the vet for a few tablets anyway, just in case.

[dogcatharmony]

I opted to bring my girl home the day of her spay also. I didn't want her to be stressed being in a cage all night either, plus I was in major panic mode just at the thoughts of her being gone ( I have an anxiety/panic disorder so I was frantic)

In a way I think now that I would have rather had her stay overnight at the vet.....caused more panic for me. Really dopey from the anesetic, sleepy and just because I was so darn nervous any little move she made I was a worry wart hovering over her. It was a very very long sleepless night for me. The next day she was a little off, wanted to lick like crazy and by that night it was like nothing happened to her. She was a handful at trying to keep quiet, that was really the biggest challenge.

If you do bring her home the same day the vet will give you a rundown of what to do. I know mine did and made sure I had phone numbers just in case of any emergency.

And don't feel bad about having to put her through it.......If she could I imagine she would thankyou for having it done. Scary all the things that could happen to an un-spayed female.

[kiara]

Please don't worry about your dog's stay overnight at the vet's, it is actually necessary, since your dog is a female and her surgery is more invasive. Your dog will for sure be in pain, lethargic etc. May need pain medication. Ask your vet questions about the dog's post-operative care. I don't understand why vets allow their patiens to go home the day of the surgery, (never for males, but only for females, it is not very practical????) I guess there are all kinds of vets ???? I am a cat rescuer and have had many female cats spayed and they always stayed overnight, probably because of a possibility of complications. Your doggie will be fine in a short time.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by kiara

I don't understand why vets allow their patiens to go home the day of the surgery,

Not all vet clinics have staff available to check on overnight patients. It's far more dangerous to leave an animal unattended after surgery than it is to take it home.

[bendyfoot]

I've never had any of my animals stay overnight after a spay. They were all comfortable and relaxed being at home, and they are usually given an injection of pain releif that will last all night. I see no reason to keep them overnight.