Signs of Infection After Neutering Dog

Having your male dog neutered is a common veterinary surgical procedure, but you do need to monitor your pup following the operation. In this blog post, our Apple Valley vets discuss what you can expect after neutering your dog and share some signs of infection to keep an eye out for.

What You Can Expect After Neutering Your Dog

As a common effect of the anesthesia, your pup will most likely feel a bit tired immediately after their spay or neuter procedure. They will be given pain medication to help alleviate any pain and discomfort they experience. You may also notice a reduced appetite during the 24 hours that follow the surgery.

Your dog will have to wear a cone to prevent them from licking or biting at the incision site. Additionally, you shouldn't bathe your dog or let them go swimming for about two weeks. It's critical to keep the incision site dry until it heals to avoid infection.

It is important to restrict your dog's activities over the next week or two as they recover. running, jumping, and general play can tear their stitches and prolong the recovery process. Limiting your pup's movements may require you to keep them in their crate or a small room away from any excitement.

Although the procedure for spaying female dogs is also more complex than neutering male dogs, neutered and spayed dogs typically require the same amount of recovery time (approximately 10 - 14 days). It's essential to keep your dog's cone on, the incision site dry, and to limit your pup's activities until they make a full recovery.

Signs of Post-Op Complications & Infections

Complications after a neutering procedure are quite rare, however, with every surgical procedure, there is some level of risk involved. This makes it very important to follow your veterinarian's instructions for post-operative care.

By not following your vet's instructions carefully, you are putting your dog at risk for a longer recovery period, complications, and infections. Some of the possible complications following a neuter procedure include:

Signs to Look Out For

Here we have listed the signs of infection and complications you need to keep your eye out for:

Your vet will provide you with more information on what you can expect after the procedure, including some minor swelling, lethargy, and vomiting immediately afterward. However, If you see your dog exhibiting any of the above signs of a complication, it's important to call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Has your dog recently been neutered and is showing signs of a complication or infection? Contact our Apple Valley vets right away to have your pup cared for.