Is this normal after a spay?

[Deadnettle]

My mini poodle had a laparoscopic spay (oophorectomy) and umbilical hernia repair on monday. The vet said that the hernia was bigger than the port so needed disecting so one of the wounds is bigger than normal.

I've never had a bitch before so I don't know if my dogs reaction is normal or not. At her checkup yesterday the vet said she should be getting back to normal, but she's really not yet.

Although she doesn't seem to be in pain, she's not moving unless she really has to. She's not greeting Dh when he gets home like she normally does, nor is she following me around. She wouldn't move for her favourite treat yesterday either. She's also piling up her bedding and lying on them so there is pressure on her tummy. She's not doing anything other than lie in the same position all day.

She is eating and drinking and is more like her normal self when I take her out as she seemed totally fine at the vets yesterday but then spent the rest of the day looking miserable.

She has metacam twice a day.

Is this normal after a spay? I was told that with a lap spay dogs are often back to normal a day or two after the op but my dog is nowhere near normal yet.

[Holdbacktheriver]

Both my bitches were grumpy and out of sorts for maybe a day or two but then were back on their feet and we were having to stop the jumping about in case they burst their stitches.

I'd maybe give the vet a ring. If she's not in pain maybe the metacam is making her feel a bit off?

[Deadnettle]

I've call the vets and am waiting to be called back as both the vets are busy at the moment. I think we're going to try a different painkiller. The person I spoke to (a nurse) said dogs are normally back to being themselves by now. Trust mine to be different!

Poor dog now also panics on the grooming table which she has never done before. I think its because of the pre-med, as she found that painful (she squealed) and was on a table at the time.

[Deadnettle]

The vet call back and my dog is been switch to pardale and been give an antibiotic. Hopefully she will feel better soon.

[Holdbacktheriver]

Fingers crossed she is feeling more herself soon. it's awful watching them after a spay can't imagine how you feel with her this long after.

[Deadnettle]

Thanks Holdbacktheriver, the vets haven't been doing lap spays for long but did say they hadn't had any issues whatsoever so it's annoying to be the first ones having problems!

A friend is collecting the new painkillers on her way home so hopefully she can have them soon. Then all I need to do is get her to take them!

[LaGattaNera]

Ah hope she is soon back to herself. I always got mine to take any tablet by popping it into a cube of pate - straight down. Hope she has a restful night and is feeling brighter tomorrow. Such a worry.

[Deadnettle]

LaGattaNera I never had a problem giving tablets to any of my previous dogs but this one is awful. She only eats (even treats) when she is hungry (but not too hungry) and then only if she is not bored of whatever you are giving her. She can get bored of something after having (and enjoying) it once! She also knows you are hiding stuff so will refuse it based on that alone.

[LaGattaNera]

wow! she could be a sniffer dog for the drugs squad. good luck and hope she is ok.

[Deadnettle]

The new drugs have been delivered and eaten by the dog! I wrapped them in cheese. Hopefully that'll work tomorrow!

Thanks LaGattaNera, she does indeed have a good nose. I'm teaching her to find things that I've hidden and she's very good at it.

[Deadnettle]

The new painkillers worked! About an hour after I gave them to her she returned to her normal happy self. I am so relieved.

[LaGattaNera]

oh great news!

[Deadnettle]

The downside is that I now have a very active poodle!