Why is my dog crying after getting neutered?
There are a few reasons your dog may cry after getting neutered. The good news is, this is normal, particularly in the hours after surgery. Understanding why your pooch is crying can help both of you to get through it.
It’s common for dogs to cry or whine after surgery due to anesthesia. If you’ve ever undergone anesthesia yourself, you probably remember being disoriented or confused in the hours after you woke up.
Your dog also experiences this. Unlike us, dogs don’t understand what is going on. They don’t know why they are confused or disoriented, which can make it scarier for them.
This type of crying should stop within 12 to 24 hours after surgery, as the anesthesia wears off.
If your pooch is crying due to confusion, you may notice they stop crying when you are nearby or petting them. This is because your presence them makes them feel safe.
The pain from neutering will be the worst the day after surgery. At this point, the anesthesia has worn off, and healing is in its beginning stages. Your pooch should seem a bit better the next day, or two days after surgery. The pain should be completely gone 1 week after surgery.
If your pooch is in pain, you may notice that they don’t stop crying when you are nearby.
They may also pant and shake. They may attempt to lick the incision site. On the other hand, your pooch may not groom themselves as they normally do.
They may also be lethargic or reluctant to get up and move, because it causes them more pain. It’s normal for them to have a reduced appetite and thirst when they are in pain as well.
Stress or anxiety can also cause your pooch to cry after being neutered. Surgery is a very stressful event for a dog. They go to the vet, and they are put to sleep. They wake up confused, with no idea what happened.
They may realize they are in pain, or have a wound. The anesthesia keeps them disoriented for several hours after surgery. It’s easy to see how they could be very anxious.
This can continue even after the pain has lessened and the anesthesia wears off. Unfortunately, neutering can also cause behavioral changes, including increased fear and anxiety.
Other signs of anxiety include drooling, excessive barking, pacing, and being destructive. They may also have house accidents.
Of course, after surgery, some behaviors should be expected. Your pooch may need to use the potty indoors until they are themselves again. Lethargy is normal for the first day or two after surgery. However, other signs are clues that your pooch might have anxiety after netuering.
Just like humans, dogs get bored. Have you ever found yourself in bed recovering from surgery or illness, feeling like you were losing your mind due to boredom?
This may be how your dog feels after surgery, and it can cause them to cry or whine. After all, they can’t do their normal activities in the days after surgery. This can be particularly difficult for them if they are high energy, or used to being outside daily.
If your dog is bored, they may lick excessively, chew things they aren’t supposed to, bark excessively, or pace.
How long will my dog be in pain after neutering?
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries lasts for just a few days and should be completely gone after about a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days it’s a good idea to contact your vet for further advice.
How can I comfort my dog after surgery?
Following your dogs spay or neuter surgery you will want to help your pet to rest and feel as comfortable as possible. Here are a few things that you can do to help comfort your dog after neutering:
Contact your vet if you spot any redness, swelling or discharge at the incision site, or if the incision has opened.
Symptoms such as lack of energy, reluctance to eat, vomiting or diarrhea also signal the need to call your vet.
How To Care For Dogs After Spay Neuter
Our South Charlotte vets understand that the decision to get your dog spayed or neutered can be fraught with emotion. If youre unsure whether you should get your dog fixed keep in mind that these surgeries are routine for most vets, and the pain from neutering is typically short lived and easy to manage.