Washing a dog after a spay? Just the face and front legs?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

My pup, Jade, just got spade a few days ago. She vomits in the car regardless and she had a reaction to flea meds just last week which caused her to drool. She had a bath prior to being spayed, but she vomitted on the way there and back as well as after surgery.

Her beard is really gross and smelly as well as her front legs due to the car vomiting and then bile after the surgery. I know you aren't supposed to wash them thoroughly until at least 10 days. Wiping her down with a warm cloth or dog wipes isn't working.

Any ideas how to wash just the face and maybe the front legs? Will a dry shampoo get gunk out of her beard?

[Kamela & Beckett]

If she's the right size and you have a bath tub for which this could work, could you put her front legs in the tub and leave her back half out so you could wash the front of her but be sure to keep the "business" end of her dry?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

You know what. I have a small plastic tub that would probably do the trick! Thanks. That's why I posted to get ideas!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

There are a lot of dry or waterless dog shampoos out there.  Even some DIY ones.  You might look at one of these to at least get rid of the smell.  Just stay away from the incision.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Thanks, I will do that.

[Sheree Small]

Hi, in my opinion (and we did this) it is ok to sponge wash the stinky areas. Just stay away from the sutures. Use your regular shampoo and just use a wash cloth and a little soap. Then wipe with clean cloth/water until you get the soap out and dry well. Good luck!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Thanks! I was worried about water getting to the incision. So far she's doing really good with everything. She looked a little pathetic yesterday and the day of her spay, by today her eyes are shiny and sweet looking. She wants to be with us, but the gross smell is not allowing it for the most part. ;)

[Cheryl]

Have you thought of using cornstarch on her? Just apply to her coat and brush out. And re: the flea - my Taps reacted to topical flea treatement Vectro . He was just shy of 6 months. within a couple hours of it being applied by my Vet a horrid chemical breath - followed by him coming  to me standing w/ head hanging. Nudging my knee over and over as if something was wrong.  He was trying to swallow with great difficulty– trying to roll his tongue. Tongue seemed cherry colored – “I quickly  took him outside for air and a walk and he pulled around but it was scary. My niece a CNA was here and was very concerned and said also definite negative reaction..  I shared w/ my Vet when I returned and he seemed surprised but if you look up flea reactions to golden retrievers, poodles and goldendoodles you will find research - I am now using the oral Nexguard. So far he had one dose and he seemed non reactive. His next dose is in a couple days. So I am nervous. Good Luck with Jade!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Thanks! I used this little plastic tub that we wash their paws in and washed her front feet and legs plus beard.
It didn't get the whole smell, but most of it, so I might do the cornstarch as well.

I put Vectra 3D on her which is what I use for my other dogs. I didn't think anything about it, but did watch her as my schnoodle has had a reaction to over the counter products from Walmart (years ago). His was an immediate reaction - drooling, foaming, shaking his head, and walking funny. Anyway, at that time, I threw him in the tub and washed him with dish soap (as per online suggestions). It cleared up after one day the symptoms lessened that evening and by the next day he was fine.
However, with Jade, there was no reaction for two days. None that I saw anyway. But, by Friday morning her breath was atrocious. I noticed she was licking the carpet - something she never does and I checked her and noticed icky drool stuck to her beard, plus she wouldn't let me open her mouth. With that and the breath at first I thought it was a tooth problem and set up an appt.
By the time the appt came it was 3 pm. Her breath had worsened and the drool was in strings. It was gross. But, we got to the vet. He checked her teeth but didn't see anything wrong with them. Said her throat was red and would prescribe her a anti inflammatory and an antibiotic. She also had a temp. Then we noticed she had spots inside her ear and he then checked her belly - spots everywhere. He said it looked like she had a reaction to something. That's when I told him I had given her the flea med two days prior. I had no idea they could have a delayed reaction, but he said it happens. So, he gave her a stronger antibiotic than he was originally going to give her. Poor thing was miserable.
Just today she is acting more herself. Trying to play and stuff. Of course, I'm supposed to keep her calm. Ha. She is just a little over 5 months so very similar. I am going to give them all an oral called Bravecto starting next month.