Acting weird after spay

[Tara and Maggie]

My Maggie (golden doodle) was spayed on Wednesday (she’s 7 mos) and I realize it was only a few days ago, but I just feel something's off. She is eating and drinking some again, but she acts so weird....at first she didn’t want to walk...she’d walk a few steps and immediately go for her stitches or plop down on the ground. Now she will walk more (and has her pep back), but the weird part is she will be totally calm and then Twitch or jerk (kind of  like someone poked her with a pin) and she freaks out and goes for her stitches. I’ve taken her to the vet twice.  Thursday (the very next morning) and then again yesterday, ,and they assure me everything is ok, that they think she has anxiety (so, they gave her ACE, an anti-anxiety medication.  She’s already on Tramadol for pain and Meloxidyl, an anti-inflammatory.  I hate to add more drugs to the mix, but it also breaks my heart to see her when she has her weird freak outs. So, we gave her half a pill along with the Tramadol and Meloxidyl and it didn't seem to do much of anything.  Nothing seems to work to settle her down when she gets worked up. She also pants a lot and breaths fast.  Has anyone else experienced this?  I called the vet again today and here's what she has suggested (stop the Tramadol in case it's a side effect of that med) and increase the ACE tab to one whole pill.  Still give the anti-inflamatory.  If that doesn't work then she gave me a different antianxieity med to try tomorrow when this one's out of her system.  I really don't like all these medications.  I also hate seeing her like this.  She had an exploratory surgery at 4mos (long story), and she did NOT act like this. It’s very strange.  I just feel something is off.  I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this?  Thanks!
Tara (Maggie’s Mom)

 

[Stella]

The stitches could be pulling and uncomfortable. Panting can also be a sign of pain, so they may want to switch her painkiller, maybe the tramadol isn't working well for her.  Remember, she has basically just had a hysterectomy, that's a big surgery and now she will be having hormaome changes happening as well as recovering from surgery. I personally would not give the ACE, it's a horrible drug that essentially paralyses the dog but the brain is still active, so they can actually become more anxious / panicky, but you can't see it. There are much better anti-anxiety meds out there, Trazadone is one that can be used in the short term. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree, ACE is a horrible drug. 

[Tara and Maggie]

Thank you so much for your response!  That sounds so terrible!  We did give her one yesterday (prior to reading your reply) and I hated the way she looked so she hasn’t had another and it should be completely out of her system by now. In the meantime, I was able to take the cone off her head and got a surgi suit -a breathable fabric suit but keeps stitches covered so she can’t get to them, it also snugs her a little so I think she finds a little comfort in that?!   So far this morning she’s acting more herself.  She hasn’t done any of the weird acting like she’s been poked with a pin freak outs, and isn’t panting like she’s in pain.  It makes me wonder if she did have a reaction to the Tramadol?? (Which should also completely out of her system at this point).  The only medication she’s on right now is the meloxidyl and she’s peacefully resting next to me.  Of course it’s sunday and my vet is closed so I can’t ask her about the Trazadone....the backup medication she gave me of the ACE didn’t work was Gabapentin, which from what I read is more like an anti-anxiety/pain med.  The weird thing is that the vet said to make sure to try the ACE first...I wonder why?   ACE sounds so terrible!    As I said, currently she doesn’t seem to be in pain so other than the meloxidyl she’s not on anything, but should she start her panting/freakouts do you think I should try the Gabapentin?   (Fingers crossed she’s on the mend and we don’t need to do anything). 

[Dolly Dykhouse]

Hi Tara,

Henry acted the same way after he was neutered...fine one minute and then he would jump up as if stuck by a pin, race across the room and quickly throw himself down panting. He never tried to lick at his incision site, which was a plus as I was able to keep the cone of shame off of him. This odd behavior went on for a few days and I agree that it is probably the swelling at the incision site pulling on the stitches which might feel like being poked by a pin. Male dogs seem to have a much easier time recovering from being neutered than females, Henry recovered quickly and was fine by day 3 after surgery. Hoping Maggie feels better soon!

[Tara and Maggie]

Thank you!  Me too...the behavior was just so strange...hopefully she's over it now.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Gabapentin is actually a medication for nerve pain; it's occasionally used off-label for anxiety, but IMO it shouldn't be. I would not give it to her. I honestly do not think her behavior is being caused by anxiety, but even if it is, I'd rather have some mild anxiety than put my dog on these drugs unnecessarily. Why mask the symptoms if there is something wrong? 
I'd also stop the meloxidyl; it's not only an anti-inflammatory, it's also used for pain, and the Tramadol works fine for that. Meloxidyl is Metacam, which like all NSAIDS has gastrointestinal side effects and is primarily used in dogs with arthritis. Maybe your dog is acting weird because she's in pain. 

Please don't be offended by this, but I'd look for a new vet. Nobody should be prescribing all these drugs, many with serious side effects, for spay surgery or because a dog is acting anxious after spay surgery. I've had many dogs spayed, (many fosters for rescvue as well as my own) and all that is needed is the Tramadol, and maybe an antibiotic to prevent infection. 

[Tara and Maggie]

I agree...I HATE all the drugs!!  But I also don't want her in so much pain.  As I said, she's acting so much better this morning...but she was acting SO strange when she was on the tramadol I hate to try it again.  It may not have been it at all, but I did read that one of the side effects could be anxiety, so perhaps that was it?  I just pray she's on the mend and I don't need to give her anything else.   Regarding the vet..I am never offended by your opinions.  Karen, you seriously helped me so much with Maggie's problems (post coccidia) when she was a baby I truly value your opinion.  It was you, not the vet that got her on track and she has absolutely no issues now.  That is why I value this site so much.  That said, this is the second vet she's been to because the first one was such a disaster.  I feel funny switching again, but you may be right.  We need to find a vet that's a good fit for our family.    

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have an acquaintance in the St. Louis area who has had the same problems finding a vet who is UTD with current prescribing practices and treatments; her original vet refused to even do three year rabies shots! I can reach out and ask for a recommendation, although she may not be anywhere near you. 

Jack was on Tramadol for a couple of years for his spinal issues, and I did not see any anxiety. But every dog is different. Sometimes the dosage just needs adjusting.  

[Tara and Maggie]

That would be great...and thank you again!! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Unfortunately, I just heard back from my friend and she is also still looking for another vet; her current one also doesn't offer three year vaccines or keep up with current veterinary protocols. It's so funny how certain areas of the country seem to have this issue; I know Nevada is also a hard place to find a good UTD vet. 
Anyway, she said she has heard good things about Mexico Road Animal Hospital in St Peters. They don;t seem to have a website, so I have no idea what they are like, but the reviews online are very good, for what that's worth. 

[Stacy]

Are we talking about St. Louis? Maggie's foster parents were in that area and she went to Creve Coeur Animal Hospital (I have no idea where that is in relation to anything!) I have her vet record and they seemed very thorough. They gave her the 3 year rabies shot and she had all the monitoring and what-not when she was spayed. That's not a personal recommendation, but might be something to check into if it's in the area.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, St. Louis. Thanks for the info, that's the first one I've found who at least does 3 yr vaccines, so that's promising. 
Here's their website:
http://crevecoeurvets.com/