Post-Surgery Recovery Care for Neutered Dogs

One safeguard against pet overpopulation is to surgically alter your dog. In the male dog this means the removal of his testicles, which is referred to as desexing or neutering. Aside from preventing unwanted litters, neutering your dog also helps it live a healthier life by preventing such problems as testicular cancer or prostate problems. It also deters undesirable behavior such as aggression, roaming or "marking" its territory with urine. Because this is a surgical procedure, it requires a bit of extra post-operative care.

  1. Environment and Exercise

    • Keep your dog in a quiet, safe, clean environment away from other dogs in the initial days after its surgery. The veterinarian closes the incision typically with stitches, and this wound can tear open if the dog is allowed to return to its normal, preoperative behavior. Allowing your dog to go outside could introduce dirt or bacteria to the incision area, which can lead to infection. Instead you may walk your dog on a leash for minimal exercise.

    Wound Care

    • Don't bathe your dog for the first two weeks after the surgery, and you should also avoid using any kind of ointment on the wound site. The dog itself my try to lick at the wound or tear at the stitches with its teeth, and you can deter this behavior by either using a bitter apple spray or a plastic Elizabethan collar, or E-collar. Keep a watchful eye on the wound daily to make sure it doesn't show any signs of infection or wound breakdown from ruptured stitches.

    Food and Medicine

    • Your dog will be able to resume its preoperative diet almost immediately after the surgery. Some pet parents opt to provide a bland diet for their dogs in case of stomach upset, but this is not usually required. You should, however, avoid any kinds of heavy human food. Your vet will likely recommend when you can resume feeding your pet after the surgery. Some of the pain medications, such as anti-inflammatory medication, are administered along with food or not at all. Follow your vet's specific instructions on what types of medication should be administered, and don't give your pet human painkillers.

    Considerations

    • Whether your dog will need to return for suture removal depends on what type of sutures are used. Many vets opt for those that absorb into the tissue. Some warning signs to look out for include any kind of bleeding or discharge from the incision site, or a persistent or increasing redness and swelling beyond the first few days. You should also note any kind of depression or lethargy, nausea, vomiting, labored breathing or difficulty urinating. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these signs.