Care of Recently Neutered Dogs

One of the most common procedures performed on a male dog is a neuter. In most cases it is a simple and quick process with a fast recovery. The use of pain medications often completely controls any pain from the procedure and there are rarely complications.

  1. The Procedure

    • A basic neuter procedure is mildly invasive and healing time in a normal healthy dog should be quite quick. The main concern with this procedure is the incision site, as the surgery is superficial. In dogs with an undescended testicle, or a cryptorchid, the neuter procedure becomes more complicated as the veterinarian will have to open the abdomen to remove the testicle. Whenever the abdomen is opened, risk of infection goes up and healing time increases.

      If at anytime during the healing process the dog seems to increase in pain, is lethargic, vomits, has diarrhea or loses his appetite, see your vet immediately for a recheck

    Medications

    • Most veterinarians will send pain medications home after the neuter. The most common type is Carprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. On average, three to five days of this medication will suffiece to control swelling and relieve pain. If the basic neuter had complications, the vet may prescribe another pain medication like Tramadol to be used in conjunction with Carprofen. Antibiotics are not typically prescribed as the neuter is a superficial procedure with a low chance for infection.

      In the case of a cryptorchid, where the abdomen is opened, pain medication and antibiotics are commonly prescribed. The types and length of administration are determined by the veterinarian and based on how the procedure went. Occasionally with this more invasive procedure, a sedative might be sent home to keep the dog quiet during optimal healing time of the abdominal wall.

    Healing

    • Keep a neutered dog as quiet as possible for at least a week following a neuter, especially in the case of cryptorchids with an abdominal incision. If the incision heals without incident, it will likely never bother the dog again. If it heals poorly, it may cause future problems, including infection or hernia. Do not let the dog get at the incision site; if necessary put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent him from licking and scratching. After about a week, the dog can return to his normal activities.