Complications After Dog Spaying

The process by which a dog is sexually sterilized is known as spay for females and neuter for males. The technical name for spay is ovariohysterectomy, which means removal of the uterus and ovaries. In most cases, this is an elective surgery, but the benefits outweigh the costs and potential complications in most circumstances. However, it is important to consider the potential complications when electing to have a dog spayed.

  1. Reactions to Anesthesia

    • Although it is rare for a reaction to anesthesia to lead to death in a dog, it is possible for dogs to experience serious reactions to anesthesia due to allergies or other problems. The amount of anesthesia that a veterinarian administers is based upon the size, breed and health of the dog. If the dog receives the wrong amount of anesthesia, or too much for its health, complications can occur.

    Stitches Pulling Out or Breaking

    • Another common complication after spaying a dog is that the dog can pull out the stitches or cause them to break. After your dog is spayed, she will have to wear an E-collar cone around her neck for several hours to several days depending on the healing process. If she itches or messes with the wound, it can cause the stitches to break or pull out, which can cause further complications. If stitches break or become loose prematurely, consult a veterinarian to determine whether or not the stitches should be replaced.

    Bleeding

    • Even if the stitches do not tear out, bleeding is still a potential complication for a dog following a spay surgery. Bleeding is a potentially serious complication, because it can mean that there are underlying problems. If the wound is bleeding or appears not to be healing properly, you need to contact a veterinarian for advice. Make an appointment as soon as possible so that the cause of the bleeding can be determined before it becomes even more serious.

    Infection

    • Another complication after dog spaying, however rare, is infection in or around the surgical site. There are many different potential causes of infection, and they can impact the incision site during the healing process, or they can cause serious problems in the dog's insides. If the dog is experiencing an infection, it may show signs of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or lethargy. If the dog's behavior differs in any way from the veterinarian's instructions, make an appointment immediately to have the dog examined for potential infection or other complications following surgery.