My girl was spayed on Thursday and I’m worried….

[GARLANDGIRL2024]

She’s still very quiet and sleeping a lot
like all day

shes a 2 year old Labrador usually full of spark and energy so seeing her like this is concerning
i know she’s had a major operation but the vets told me she should be back to normal within 48 hours
its been 5 days now

i called the vets but constantly engaged

should I be worried ? She is eating and drinking and toileting normally

My dog got neutered a couple of weeks ago now and it took him until about the 8 day mark to get back to "normal" and thats a much less invasive op. I think 48hrs is optimistic of them feeling normal again for sure and he just slept a lot but was still eating, drinking, toileting normally and if prompted would play but just slept so much. I'd send a message to your vet just for your peace of mind but its not abnormal

Aw bless her, she may still be a bit sore. Good signs that she is eating (although I realise it would take a lot to stop a lab eating) and toileting. Is she still on pain meds? When is her check-up booked for?

Do you have free online vet consultations included with your pet insurance? That could be an option but if not you’ll just have to persevere in calling your vet or leave her at home and go down there if local.

As long as she isn't getting worse and her wound looks clean and not inflamed, I wouldn’t panic, she may just be taking a bit longer than normal to recover but I know what it’s like when they are out of sorts and you just want them checked over for your peace of mind.

If dog is eating and drinking and poo and wee is normal, she should be OK- It’s quite a big op that recover from.

That's not usual according to any of the dogs I have had done, even the ones with a traditional open spay were acting back to normal after 24-48 hours tops.
Does the wound look OK?

Small blebs can happen along incision- my Whippet developed a “ Stitch reaction “ And needed 2 lots of antibiotics and bathing to keep it clean. ( done by very experienced vet as well- )

Has she been given any painkillers?

That's absolutely not normal IME.

Thanks all. She was only given 2 days of painkillers
her wound looks lovely and fine

Do you have any follow ups with the vet booked? Our lab girl had a lap spay but had 3 and 10 day follow ups. Obviously not as big a procedure but she was bouncing off the walls by the Tuesday having had it done on the Friday

I was a vet nurse for many years, I would call the vet she may need further pain relief often lethargy/malaise can masquerade as pain, really good the wound is looking well and she is eating

Our boy only had his balls off which was much less invasive, but one hadn't dropped so needed some fishing out, but it was a good week for him to be back to normal, I wouldn't be majorly worried yet.

I would be concerned 5 days after spaying if the dog was still lethargic. I would want a vet check

Speak to the vet. My dog had 4 days of painkillers and two follow ups. It was well over a week before she was back to 'normal' and we were struggling to keep her on floor level!

It's a major op and she will be very sore.

2 days of pain killers is inadequate for a bitch spay (unless a lap spay) should be nearer 5. Keep trying your vet.

Our springerdor was spayed 3 weeks ago and has only really been herself for about a week. My daughter is a veterinarian nurse so we were lucky.

olive was on pain meds for 8 days and tbh she did need them. My daughter said it’s a 8 to 10 day recovery and go very gently with her but she was so sleepy she only did gentle!

I’ve just spoken to DD her advise is to keep trying to get in touch with vet, she should have been booked a follow up appointment 3 days post surgery and then the following week. She asks is she showing signs of pain, hunching her back or curling tight into herself when asleep. The wound heals much quicker outside than inside so no walks just a gentle stroll round the garden and no jumping on or off furniture or stairs. She also just said to ask you if the wound / abdomen is swollen at all.