I feel terrible for getting her spayed

[Shauna129]

My 6 month old rottie got spayed today and had rear dew claws removed (the vet said they were floppy and could get caught on stuff if not removed). I've had her home for a little over 2 hours now. She's been crying constantly, but when I come near her, she turns away. She won't even look at me. I feel terrible. She's been near the back door the entire time. She won't move from that spot, probably because she's so sore. I have no idea what to do for her. I'm thinking that she hates me because I'm the one that took her to the vet and picked her up. Is this normal after they get spayed? Is there anything that I can do to make her more comfortable? I know this is probably a pathetic question, but I feel so bad for her.

[brunie's mom]

Honestly...I don't know why vet's do not let the dog stay overnight after a spay. It's so much easier on the owner not to see their dog recovering from the anesthetic. Most dogs just lay in their kennel and sleep away, and when you pick up the dog the next day...the dog looks and feels so much better.

She is not mad at you for having her spayed...she is recovering from surgery. How would you be feeling a few hours after a hysterectomy?
Give her a bit of water...take her outside for a pee, and put her in her crate to sleep. She will feel better in the morning.

Gina

[AngelBunny]

It's a mistake to attribute human emotions to our canine companions. Dogs' brains aren't wired like ours.

Your girl isn't mad or angry or otherwise upset with you. She's still drunk from anesthesia.

If she wants to go outside, take her outside, but make sure she doesn't fall over or hurt herself as she's doubtless still wobbly.

Really, the best thing you can do is put her in her crate on a comfy blanket, offer her some water, then leave her alone. She'll be fine.

[Dugganmom]

When my Choc. Lab got spayed she was out of it for the rest of the night...She was wobbly and wanted to be right next to me. She would only let me take her outside. Actually she is still like that, I call her my velcrow dog. Both my dogs and my foster pit are like that..MaMas Boys/girl. I dont know avout the crying like the others said maybe just a side effect from the anestesia. If she continues(i mean for a day or two) she may need to be seen. She probably just feels like crap. I have also heard that having the dew claws removed is really painful, does she have meds?

[Shauna129]

yes, she got an injection for pain before she left and she has meds that will last her for 3 more days. She's a little more awake now and she's not whimpering quite as much. I think she's really frustrated with the fact that she has an e-collar on. The biggest challenge will be trying to keep her from jumping and running around the house for two weeks.

[Static'sMum]

We had Static neutered last wednesday. He had an infected foot (got something in there, and then licked it so much over night it ended up red raw) The vet said that the easiest way to shave and clean him would be under anesthetic. We decided that seeing as we were going to have him neutered next month, and he needed to be put under for his food anyway, we would have him done now - and we also had his front dew claws removed. To be honest though, we have had almost no worries with him since he came home. He did cry when we put the elizabethan collar on him to go to sleep the first night, and sat and stared at the wall - wouldnt sleep. So we gave in and took it off, and I slept in the same room with him. I just had to sleep lightly and tell him to stop licking his various stitches. Static wasn't that doped up when we got him home, he was almost back to normal. I would think your girl is just a little confused - hence the crying. She will be fine, and you shouldn't feel guilty or anything.

[poohbearsmom]

In addition to what the other's said - your dog will take queues from you - if you are acting funny, she will too. Be sweet to her, talk to her in a sing-songy voice and allow her to recoup.. and let her rest.

[kathyg]

Another thing your girl is adjusting to is the sudden lack of estrogen & some other hormones that were being produced by the ovaries...this can & commonly does cause behaviorial changes (many times dramatic ones) but the good news is...they last only a few days or so & the mind/body simply re adjusts. You'll have your girl back, I promise. My Addie went through something similar. She's a big sweetheart, loves everyone, doesn't have a mean bone in her body...but right after her spay? She was growling, (NEVER at me, though) lunging, snapping, and other wise telling her normally beloved Bernese Mountain Dog "brother" that she was going to rip his throat out if he even looked at him! A few days later? She was snuggling with him again.

She's had a trauma. Your vet SHOULD be explaining all this to you, but it's so "old hat" to them, they just shrug it all off & usually don't bother. The drugs from the surgery, the lingering pain, the emotional trauma, & the hormone adjustments are all causing atypical behavior. She's not "mad" at you, she'll be A-OK as soon as you know it. You'll see. Don't be hesitant to call your vet with any concerns you have either. Good luck.

[Shauna129]

Thanks for all the replies. This is the first time I've raised a puppy and this is all new to me. I've done a good job with her so far, but I constantly worry about her. She's like a daughter to me. I did notice this morning that she wanted to sit on my lap and be by me more than usual. She's not whimpering anymore, so I think that must have just been from the drugs messing her up last night. If anything else happens with her, I'll be sure to update.

[Canula2000]

some dogs have a hard time with the anaesthesia and will act differently until it has worn off. It was suggested to me with one of my foster dogs to keep in a crate for the day until the medicine wore off. He told me that a dog has been know to bite just because they aren't themselves and he was afraid because she was having such a hard time. She was the only foster that had a hard of a time with it, but was back to herself the next day although more quiet.

[jlaack]

I am sorry to hear your girl is in pain. There was a recent article in a veterinary magazine (??? the title) that discussed the use of pain relievers after a spay. It does cause pain and similar procedures in humans come with a take home supply of pain relievers. Since these surgeries are routine and dogs can't really say, ouch I hurt, most vets don't even think about it. The article said it is becoming more common to provide pain management after a spay. I realize this post won't help in your situation, but it may help someone else.

[molochai2580]

I never seemed to notice, but that's because my vet keeps all spays overnight. When I picked them up the next day they are happy to see me and it's a job keeping them calm for the 5 or so days afterwards.....

[livertw]

Do not feel guilty. Poor baby is NOT angry with you. She's groggy. If you act as if something is wrong, she will pick up on it. Talk to her in a happy voice. Pet her. Offer ice cubes. Does she need the E-collar? Daisy did not. Her incision was glued shut and she never even sniffed at it. You can make a thick collar with a bath towel and duct tape that will allow her to lie down comfortably and also get at her water dish but will not allow her to get her mouth near her belly. She'll be fine.