Spaying and neutering a cat or dog, regardless of gender, is one of the best things we can do for it. While it is true that the dog is easy to control, the risk will always be there unless we take it to trade.
But after the intervention, an important question arises: How long does it take for a spayed dog to recover? What about a dog? Let's separate it.
Spaying and neutering, two different operations
Often both words are used to define the same thing, but in reality they are two operations that, although they share a common goal, which is the prevention of pregnancy, are very different:
- Castration: Zeal and the behavior associated with it are eliminated.
- Bitches: consists of removing the uterus and ovaries.
- Dogs: their testicles are removed.
- Sterilization: hormonal behavior is maintained.
- Bitches: a tubal ligation is done.
- Dogs: the seminiferous ducts are sectioned (they are the ducts that connect the testicles to the penis).
How long do dogs take to recover?
Because the surgical procedures differ from each other, the recovery times of the female are different from those of the male, let's see a little what the behavior is by type of procedure and by the sex of the dog.
In castration
These interventions are ambulatory, so once the dog recovers from the effects of anesthesia, it is discharged to begin recovery at home. Females have a recovery time that ranges between 10 and 14 days, but in males about 5 days will be enough for them to be very well.
Of course, this recovery process in both the female and the male must have a series of cares, that if we follow them to the letter, we will see our pet fully recovered in a maximum week.
In sterilization
In bitches
Recovery time goes between 4 and 5 days To be fully active, this is closely linked to the care that is offered after sterilization, where the first 24 hours are those that deserve maximum attention.
When the bitch passes this first phase smoothly, the remaining days will only have to be watched so that she does not hurt herself with jumping, running or agitation, try to keep her in a quiet place where she can eat well, rest and have her bowel movements.
On the dog
Recovery is usually much faster, since with proper care, your dog will be doing its normal activities in about 2 or 3 days, although you must know that the effect of anesthesia can last for about 36 hours.
Inflammation in the sterilization area usually causes discomfort, however, it subsides after 7 days. Regarding the stitches, after 10 days they should be completely healthy, but they should be removed after 15 days or a little longer as indicated by the veterinarian.
What care should a sterilized dog have?
Post-sterilization care for a bitch is very important for her proper and speedy recovery, keep in mind that this process takes at least 10 days, during which very specific guidelines are recommended to help her overcome this process.
Prevents licking the wound, since the risk of opening, injuring or infecting it is quite great. This is not the time to rely on the supposed healing properties of canine saliva, but to avoid as much as possible that the wound fills with bacteria and complicates the health of your pet.
You can make use of the elizabethan necklace to minimize the risk, and although it may be a bit annoying for her, it is certainly the best so that she does not have contact with the sterilization area.
No strong exercises or sudden movements such as jumping, running or playing, as the points can open up and cause unnecessary complications. Your dog, on the other hand, can and should go for a very quiet walk, for a very short time, even one day after sterilization.
You must maintain hygiene in the wound, for this it needs to be cleaned very carefully every dayIn fact, it is done twice with an antiseptic-soaked gauze. You should do it gently from the inside out, so that you can remove the accumulated dirt, which prevents this area from becoming infected.
Fulfill the fast of the first 24 hours, since the effect of anesthesia and antibiotics cause discomfort and vomiting, so it is only advisable to give water moderately.
Likewise, you will observe a little lack of appetite the days after sterilization and although it is expected, it is important that you give it water and food in little quantity.
Do not forget take you to the post-operative check-up visit, since the veterinarian must verify that the recovery is successful, as well as detect if there is any anomaly and act accordingly.
How much does a sterilization operation cost to a dog?
The price varies depending on the size of the dog:
- From 0 to 5 kilo It costs between 160-175 euros.
- From 5 to 10 kilos It costs from 200 to 230 euros.
- From 10 to 20 kilos It costs between 250 and 285 euros.
- From 20 to 30 kilos It costs between 350 to 390 euros.
Side effects of spaying a female dog
With sterilization certain health problems can appear that are closely linked to it, among them we have:
- La Urinary incontinence, especially when they are sterilized before 12 months.
- Urinary infections with greater incidence in the cases in which it has been sterilized before 6 months.
- Psychological pregnancies with greater incidence when it is sterilized during heat, in full milk production or two months after heat.
- Presence of aggressiveness when they are sterilized before 12 months, although this behavior is more marked when they are sterilized two months after heat.
It is noteworthy that these secondary complications arise in cases where sterilization is done very early, or at non-recommended stages of the dog's life.
My newly neutered dog does not want to eat, why?
After 48 hours after the castration process, the dog may show symptoms of loss of appetite and reluctance. This is the result of the effects of anesthesia and drugs in your body, so you must be very patient.
What veterinarians recommend is not to supply food for the first 24 hours, only water in a small amount. After water and food are provided in low proportions to help you in your recovery, as well, in the next few days the desire to eat and to get back to your activities will gradually return.
What is more recommended: neutering or sterilization?
It will depend on each one, but we recommend castration. It is a somewhat more complicated operation and the post-operative care is longer, but then that's it. We will have a dog that will not need to mate, that will not have psychological pregnancies and that, over time, can become much calmer.