About Dog Neutering Recovery

Neutering dogs is a way to prevent unwanted puppies from being born. The dog is castrated which is a surgical procedure that removes the dog's reproductive organs. Although sometimes complications do occur, dogs recover fast from the procedure which takes half an hour or less to perform. With proper care and attention, a dog should be fully recovered in a few weeks time.

Effects

A dog that has been neutered may appear groggy and quiet or reserved. This is often due to the effects of the anesthesia, which can last up to 24 hours after the surgery. Male dogs recover faster than female ones. During the recovery period, a dog can experience rebound anesthesia. This occurs when the dog slips back into an anesthetized condition. When a dog is waking up from the effects of the anesthesia, it is important not to give him food or water for a couple of hours.

Recovery

A dog is placed in recovery immediately after surgery. During this time the effects of the drugs and anesthesia can be monitored before the dog can be taken home. The pain medication can react differently in some dogs and some may even have allergic reactions. Aspiration pneumonia is a complication that can occur during this stage. Due to the effects of the anesthesia and medications, the dog is not able to protect the airway from saliva or any stomach contents. This can cause an infection if the contents get into the airway and to the lungs. The dog is monitored to prevent this situation from happening.

Feeding

A dog in recovery often has little or no appetite. If loss of appetite occurs together with lethargy and coughing, this could be a sign of pneumonia. The dog should be taken to the vet immediately. Dogs act differently after the operation but most require very little food or drink a day after the neutering.

Conditions

The dog should de kept in a warm and dry place after neutering. This is in order to avoid hypothermia. The dog’s temperature should be monitored regularly during the recovery period. Keeping the dog indoors even during summer will help to monitor and keep him warm and dry. The dog should be kept out of water for 10 days after the surgery.

Duration

Most dogs get back to their usual selves within 48 hours after the surgery. If the veterinarian uses stitches that need to be gotten rid of, this must be done after about 10 days. If the dog is taking too long to recover, this may be a sign of infections or other complications. The dog should be taken to the vet for check up.