Dog neutering & spaying: pre & post-operative care tips

dog neutering & spaying - pre and post operative care tips

Dogs with behavioral issues like trying to mark his territory (by lifting his leg) or paying attention to other dogs rather than their owners are difficult to contain.

This is where the option of spaying, neutering or desexing can play a crucial role. Understanding the difference and acting accordingly can help you to enjoy the benefits in the long run.

This post throws light on spaying and neutering and the pre and post- operative tips related to the process.

What is the difference between spaying and neutering?

Spaying is desexing of a female dog whereas neutering is the desexing of male dogs.

Spaying in female dogs involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus. As a consequence, the female dog no longer enjoys a heat cycle.

Neutering process in male dogs is dominated by the removal of their testicles.

Desexing or both spaying and neutering of dogs eliminate behavioral issues like humping and other unpredictable behavioral tendencies. Additionally, desexing is considered as a great means to prevent unwanted litter.

Dog desexing Pre operative tips

It is important for you to schedule a veterinary examination prior to deciding on whether to desex your pooch. The veterinarian will carry out the necessary test to validate whether he can go ahead with the process.

The test will help the veterinarian to identify any systematic problems that might prevent him from carrying out the procedure.

When admitting your pooch for a desexing procedure, the vet will administer IV fluids to maintain retain the blood pressure of your dog at an ideal rate.

A pre-anesthetic blood test will be carried out to determine the condition of organs like liver and kidney in addition to checking the figures on blood glucose and count.

Post operative care tips

Your dog might require 10 to 14 days to recover completely from the process of neutering or spaying. However, the recovery period can vary with respect to health and other factors. For instance, it is has been proven that attention and special care can second speedy recovery in dogs who have undergone desexing.

For the best results and an efficient recovery, follow these tips:

  • Retrain your dog from interacting with other dogs
  • Do not allow your dog to stretch himself via running and other physical activities
  • It is ideal to prevent your dog from licking the wound
  • Make sure that the wound is clean healing with time. Keep an eye out for swelling or smelly discharges
  • It is ideal not to bathe your dog, the alternative option would be to groom your dog with a wet clean towel
  • If your pet seems to be having some distress or pain, feed him the medication provided by the doctor after the surgery.

Desexing your dog is a big decision that should be backed by in-depth thought and foresight. It is inevitable that you consult with a veterinarian prior to confirming your decision.

Planning to desex your pooch? Drop us a line to get the best advice tailored to the health statistics of your best companion.