Spaying - Seems to have really taken it out of my doodle

[Caroline]

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice or has had similar experiences... My little mini-doodle Christy was spayed four days ago, and still seems to be feeling "off color." I know it is major surgery but keep reading info online saying how pups are often back to normal in 1-2 days, but this just isn't the case with my girl.
She is still sleeping most of the time and doesn't really seem to want to walk anywhere (even to her food bowl - I've been hand feeding her food and water; her intake is reduced but reasonable). She seems to walk ok when I take her outside, but in general wants to be carried everywhere and "paws" me to be picked up, and is very needy.
She also often just can't seem to get comfortable in one spot, claws at her bedding and has started rubbing her nose repetitively on her bedding (is this hormonal?)
She has been whining on and off too. Sometimes it seems to be that she needs to pee, sometimes for food/ attention, and I am thinking she may still have pain. She had a post-op prescription for 3 days' worth of percocet painkillers from the vet, which I have given continuously - 3 times a day , as I thought she needed them.
I have already had her back to the vets (Friday) and they said she looks ok and that the painkillers will have a sedative effect. I also spoke again to the vet yesterday (Saturday) and got an extended prescription for painkillers for a further four days (they didn't suggest examining her again).

She also did a "Houdini" with her hood, so I have put a babygrow/ romper suit on her to stop her getting at her stitches (scratching and licking/biting) as these are another source of irritation. I bought some Lidocaine cream to put on her tummy as the vet said this would be ok, but it doesn't seem to help much. The stitches are due to be removed in 10-14 days. My doodle is just on 7 months old.
Suggestions gratefully received!

[Kelly Gallagher]

Caroline -
Our Maddy was spayed on Tuesday. She is 6 months old and NOT a mini - she weighs 41 lbs already! I think the surgery takes more out of them than we realize. Maddy is doing ok...she will eat and walk and stuff but she is definitely not herself yet. She's a bit mopey and looks sad from time to time. She had a prescription pain patch that was for 3 days...it's still on her because it's stuck to her skin pretty bad but there isn't anymore medicine on it. She's had diarrhea for the past 2 1/2 days so tonight I gave her chicken and rice for dinner to hopefully calm her stomack. I think the stress of the surgery and wearing the cone has upset her stomach a bit. Anyway..I think it's very possible that the pain medicine is making Christy feel a bit loopy and not like herself. I know that pain meds can make a person feel very groggy, weak and even nauseous so maybe this is part of the reason she is whiny and not that interested in eating. I would give it another day and then have the vet check her again if your gut is telling you she's just not herself. Mom's know best. Good luck and hang in there.
Kelly

[Caroline]

Thanks for this, yes - I mean it is a total hysterectomy in a woman! It's just that I keep reading a lot of blogs (and the vet said before surgery) that they're often back to normal in a couple of days. I also looked after a Labrador once two days post surgery and she was so full of beans that I had to calm her down. But everyone's different I guess. I have also read that the smaller dogs don't have as high a pain threshold as the bigger ones - but again, I think it's individual.
Sorry to hear your girl has diarrhea - my vet warned me it's quite common apparently after the stress of surgery and the drugs they administer during it. Chicken and rice is good and hopefully will settle her.
It's difficult when they can't tell us what's wrong isn't it?
Christy does seem a little better this evening actually - she's just started growling at the TV (favorite passtime)! Fingers crossed!
Hope Maddy's tummy settles.

[Karen & Lucy]

Well, I'm not a vet, but I am a RN. My first question would be, is she pooping???? The percocet is a narcotic and in humans will constipate you, big time. She is not drinking as normal as usual and is not moving around like normal. All leadiing to constipation. Next, does she really need all of that pain medication???? She is probably doppy (?sp.) from the narcotic. My suggestion is to cut back on the pain meds or cut them all together and make sure she is pooping normally. Don't carry her, she needs to move. Just my suggestions from a nurse of humans.

[Kyoko]

I am sorry to hear that she is not feeling wel......
I have to agree with Karen in regard to Percocet, though. It was prescribed to my daughter when she got her wisdom teeth removed. She went to school, but was not able to do anything because she was too groggy!

I hope she feels better and back to herself soon.

[Caroline]

Thanks Karen and Kyoko, she is still pooping but only once a day to her normal twice. I am going to try cutting back on the percocet and see how she goes. Hate to think of her in pain still but hopefully it will be less now...

[Tammy & Gracie]

Yeah, I agree, cut back on the pain meds a little. My bichon acted like Christy. The vet said she was a "kind of sensitive little girl". Also, I can tell you from personal experience that you should let her walk. It sure helped ease my pain and stiff abdominal muscles, not around the block mind you but to the backyard or kitchen. Yes she is needy and wonders why her belly hurts. It will ease up soon. Hang in there!

[Leslie C.]

Hi, Caroline.
LiliBear just came home today from the vet's from her spay . . . she is sleeping on the floor nearby.
It sounds like you have been getting some good advice. The only thing I would add is to go out and buy her a new toy or new stuffed bone to chew on. It's time that you both do something different and put back some gentle enjoyment in your life..
I'm sure she will be better soon.
Take care,
Leslie

[Marcia Black]

Hi Caroline - I understand what Christy is going thru - Taharaa was just spayed on Friday last week - she did a lot of licking too so we took her back to the vet - they put in disolvable stitches - but she is still pretty lethargic and also is doing the whining - I would take Christy back to the vet and make sure they check her completely and maybe do labs to confirm nothing else is going on. I think we forget that the puppies have a lot to go thru from the spay/neuter, then teething, and everything else. Just love on her! I'll send up happy thoughts!

[Caroline]

Thanks so much for all your well wishes. Update : the vets couldn't find anything additionally wrong with Christy and just thought she was a bit slower to recover than some of the other pups. Having said that, I did cut back on the percocet just to see how she'd be and she seemed almost back to normal from day 5/6and was tearing about the place as usual. I needed to encourage her to walk, but then it seemed as if she got her confidence back. She's now doing great and stitches are due out next week. Some say laser surgery is better for healing, but they aren't currently offering it at my vets. Thanks again

[Caroline]

Hi Marcia, how's Taharaa doing now?