Advice on spaying?

[Amy Clayman]

Hi all!  Roxie Rose is due to be spayed in 2 weeks. Getting nervous for my spunky monkey. Any advice on recovery or strategies to keep her busy while she recovers. How long does recovery take?  Anyone ever used the alternative soft cones or rings instead of the hard plastic ones?  Any advice is welcome and appreciated. RR is a standard doodle and about 25 lbs now. Thanks!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I was nervous when Bailey was spayed too!  Our vet doesn't start them off with a cone..only if they don't leave their incision alone.  Bailey never had to use one..She was really good about leaving it alone. 

I think my only suggestion would be to make sure you get pain meds for her.  I have seen others post that meds were optional post surgery .  My vet gives pain meds post surgery around the clock for 2 days..Bailey never hurt and did really well..

With recovery the hardest part is to keep them quiet...REALLY...Bailey was a crazy puppy...to me that was the toughest part....

Good luck, she will do great!!!

[Amy Clayman]

Well shemight be closer to 30 lbs. I am told at adulthood she will be around 50 lbs. so maybe that is a medium?  Anyway, thanks to all who responded. I will definitely look into pain meds. Good suggestion. No reason at all for her to suffer. One of my biggest concerns is keeping her quiet as she is super active. Hmm. Thanks all!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Good luck keeping her quiet...after day 1, Peri was back to her normal self.  Keeping her from jumping on things was hardest.  We definitely crated her while we were away from her.

And by the way, Peri (mini doodle) was 16 pounds when she was 5 months old - when she got spayed. I remember that specifically.  So your girl will probably be between 30 and 40.  A GREAT size in my opinion.  Peri is 25 total now, but her brothers are in the mid-30s and that size is super nice.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I don't have any advice that is better than what you have gotten--but I was wondering why you consider her to be a standard size--if she is 25 pounds at 5 1/2 months, she is probably a medium--maybe even a mini? That is small for that age compared to a standard that can weigh 50-70 pounds at adulthood. I doubt your little cutie will reach 40 pounds.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Being nervous is normal, my Sasha went thru her spay like a champ.  I think I was worse than she was - LOL.  I never had to put a cone on her because she never once even looked at her incision.  The difficult thing was keeping her quiet and not running around for two weeks.  I had to take her out on a leash and she wanted to run and play so bad.  RR will do just fine - good luck :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

So glad you are doing it - it is so much better than the alternative.  Actually many good breeders are having their pups (pet quality) spayed or neutered before they even go to their new homes.  I rather prefer that, but many people are against the early spaying or neutering.  My last two dogs came already neutered and I guess it is a little easier with males.  Your vet can give you all the information you will be needing.  Don't worry about it too much - think of it like having a baby.  You can worry about it as much as you like, but it has been happening for a very long time.  Relax.