How to Care for a Puppy After Spaying

One of the tasks of every responsible pet owner is to have their puppy sterilized at the

appropriate time. This not only safeguards the health of the puppy, but it also prevents

contributing to the burgeoning pet population and unwanted animals.

The sterilizing process for a female dog is called "spaying," in which the ovaries are

removed. This is a surgical process and is more invasive than neutering a male dog. Advice for

the best time to spay a puppy varies depending on who you are talking to. Regardless of the

age, you will need to pay attention to
title="puppy care after spaying">puppy care after spaying.

The most common consensus is between five and eight months, when the dog's reproductive

system has matured and prior to the dog going into heat. However, if the dog does go into heat,

it is not recommended to have her spayed until after the period has ended. The risk for

complications is higher during the surgery as well as lengthening the recovery time.

Some rescue groups will sterilize a dog as young as eight weeks. Contact your vet to see the

most optimum time to sterilize your puppy based on their breed and health. While spaying is an

invasive procedure, there are some simple steps that can be taken to ease the discomfort for

your dog.

Limit Activity

Post surgery is not the time for your puppy to be running around and exploring. Just as you

would for a human family member going through a medical procedure, plan on setting aside some

time to be home to attend to your dog after the surgery. Keep her indoors and limit her space

to roam if possible. Your dog should not be jumping on furniture or doing any other strenuous

activity for the first day or so after the surgery. Make sure to have a comfortable bed that is

easy for her to get on and off.

Protect Stitches

The one challenge after the spaying procedure is that your dog may try to scratch or bite at

the stitches. This needs to be prevented as it could cause the wound to open, the incision to

Monitor Food and Water

The other consideration is to monitor your dog's food and water intake for several days

following the surgery. Ask your vet for the recommended amounts. Also ask regarding medication

usage and dosages for the period following the surgery. Just as with humans, it is better to be

preemptive about pain medication to keep the discomfort to a minimum.

Signs to Watch For

The main signs to watch for after your dog has been spayed is the stitches breaking open or

the wound becoming infected. If the incision area has abnormal swelling or a dark or infected

discharge, contact your vet right away.

Spaying your puppy is a necessary step in the life of your dog; however, with proper

attention to the