How to Care for a Dog After Neutering Surgery - The First 24 Hours

How do I care for a dog who's just been neutered? How do I keep my dog from licking his stitches? Keep reading to learn how to care for a newly neutered dog after surgery.

Spaying or neutering a dog is the only effective method of preventing a dog from reproducing. The surgical procedure used to sterilize a dog is called neutering, while the procedure used to "fix" a female is called spaying. This article will focus on surgery after care for a male dog who has just been neutered. A dog owner will need to take special measures to care for the dog after the surgery is performed to neuter the dog. Recovery from a neutering procedure takes between 10 to 14 days.

Difficulty:

 

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• An E-Collar (a.k.a. "Lampshade," "Cone" or "Elizabethan Collar.")
• Betadine
• Bland Dog Food Like Plain Skinless Chicken and Plain White Rice
• A Male Dog That's Just Been Neutered!

1. • 1
     PICK UP THE DOG AFTER THE SURGERY: When a dog is neutered, the surgical procedure is typically performed in the morning. Barring any post-surgical complications from general anesthesia, the dog will usually be sent home late in the day. Be sure to go over after care instructions with the veterinarian and ask any questions you may have at this time.
   • 2
     HELP THE DOG IN/OUT OF THE CAR AFTER SURGERY: The dog may also have a difficult time getting in and out of the car, so you will need to assist. DO NOT let the dog jump - he may damage the stitches in his fresh incision. Use a ramp or pick up the dog, wrapping your arms around his chest and rear legs (a technique you'd use if picking up a small sheep or goat.) If possible, collect the dog from the veterinarian's office using a sedan-type vehicle rather than an SUV - this will make it easier for the dog to get in and out of the car.
   • 3
     HELP YOUR DOG ON STAIRS: After surgery involving general anesthesia, a dog will be groggy and he will usually be a bit off balance. This lack of coordination can make it difficult for the dog to climb stairs, so go slowly and stand behind the dog as he climbs stairs. Be ready to catch him if he starts to fall.
   • 4
     BRING YOUR DOG TO HIS BED OR CRATE: When you arrive home, immediately bring your dog to his bed or crate. Chances are, he will go right to sleep. Rarely, a dog will have a normal energy level. This type of dog will need to be kept in a crate to allow for proper recovery in the hours after the dog is neutered.
   • 5
     ISOLATE YOUR DOG FROM OTHER PETS AND KIDS AFTER HIS SURGERY: A dog who has just been neutered will experience some pain and discomfort, particularly as the effects of anesthesia are wearing off. Anesthesia can make some dogs a bit disoriented for a period of 18-24 hours after surgery. These factors will make a dog more prone to growling and nipping at other dogs, the family cat or even a child. Prevent dog bites after a dog undergoes surgery by keeping the dog isolated as he recovers during those first 24 hours.
   • 6
     OFFER SOME BLAND FOOD TO YOUR DOG: Offer a homemade bland dog food, like plain white rice with plain, skinless chicken or boiled hamburger with the fat strained away. Offer between 1/2 and 2/3 of the dog's normal meal size to prevent stomach upset. This homemade bland food will tempt the dog to eat, but the meal will also be easy on the dog's stomach. Remember, anesthesia will often make the dog nauseated. Also remember that the dog has not eaten in 24 hours. This results in the accumulation of stomach acids which can upset the lining of the stomach, making the dog prone to vomiting and nausea. If your dog does not want to eat the night after surgery, do not force the issue. It is not uncommon for a dog to refuse food after he's just been neutered.
   • 7
     TAKE THE DOG ON FREQUENT BATHROOM TRIPS AFTER NEUTERING: When anesthesia is administered, a dog will be provided with additional fluids by IV as a supportive measure. What goes in must come out, so your dog will need to urinate fairly frequently following his neutering surgery. So every 2-3 hours, take the dog outside on leash for a bathroom break. It's important to note that a dog who's just been under general anesthesia will sleep heavily, so some dogs may urinate in their sleep in the hours following surgery. Other dogs who usually signal the need for a bathroom break by standing by the door, etc. may not do this after surgery. So anticipate your dog's bathroom needs and take him out a bit more frequently than usual.
   • 8
     DO NOT REMOVE THE DOG'S E-COLLAR: In most cases, a dog who has just been neutered will be sent home with an e-collar, short for Elizabethan collar. It's also known as a "cone" or "lampshade." You must keep this on your dog until healing is complete to prevent the dog from licking the surgical incision. As the dog heals after neutering, the incision will start to itch and the dog could remove the stitches prematurely. So it's important to keep the e-collar on the dog until the stitches are removed.