Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog is getting spayed. What should I expect for her recovery and safety?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8 years and 9 months old | 4 lbs

Precious is most likely getting spayed next month & Im already getting nervous. Will she handle it well at her age? She’s hyper now than she was as a puppy & she hasn’t had any health problems. She also handled the anesthesia well when she got her teeth cleaned in 2015. I don’t really know what to expect & I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. Will it change her at all? How long after woupdnshe be back to her playful self? Why are any other helpful tips?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on October 22nd, 2017

Good on you for getting Precious spayed! As with any surgery, of course there will be risks, but it is a routine surgery and it's not often that things go wrong. It's good that she handled the anesthesia well in 2015, and your vet will check to make sure that her organs are functioning well so that the anesthesia and surgery will go as smoothly as possible. In addition, there will be someone monitor her anesthesia at all times during the surgery to make sure it goes as well as possible. It won't change her personality, but she will likely be a little sleepy and painful the first couple of days after surgery. Your vet will send home pain medications for her to help her be more comfortable. Typically we see dogs bounce back pretty quickly from a spay, and it's extremely important you keep her as quiet as possible while she is recovering. No running, jumping, or playing at all under her sutures are removed. Too much exercise and movement post surgery can lead to complications, which is why it's so important to keep Precious quiet. You also need to make sure she doesn't lick her incision site and sutures, and she will likely be sent home with an Ecollar. Dogs typically don't like them, but she has to wear it all the time to make sure she doesn't mess with her incision. As hard as it is, try not to worry, she will be in good hands with your vet. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi My dog’s breed is bichon frise, she is 7 Month old and she has not been spay yet , I'm so scared of anesthesia and her doctor told me if you don’t spay her , she may be ill in the future , What should I do?
While any anesthesia carries a risk, spaying is generally a very safe procedure. The risks of anesthesia increase as a dog ages (I'm specifically referencing senior dogs like 10 years and older), but there are few risks for a young and healthy puppy. Your vet is right she could be ill in the future if you don't spay her. Not spaying her leaves her at risk of developing a pyometra in the future. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment, and spaying the dog is part of the treatment of a pyometra. That surgery is high risk due to the severity of the illness in the dog from the infection, and it costs thousands to perform. In addition, dogs who are spayed are at an increased risk of developing mammary tumors. Of these mammary tumors, 50% of them are malignant. For her health, it is best to spay her now. I would speak with your vet about getting it done. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
is spaying your dog a high risk procedure? i’ve been so nervous about spaying aubree she will be going tomorrow and I can’t keep myself calm i’m really scared. she will be also getting her teeth clean while she’s under anesthesia. she is a yorkie sil
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! As much as any surgery and anesthesia can be routine, a spay is a very common procedure. Complications are rare and we take every precaution to have successful outcomes. You vet wants everything to go well too! Spaying her is the best thing for her health! I wish Aubree the very best tomorrow!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I planned to get Precious spayed next month but she just started her heat cycle. • when can I expect it to be over? • is her age a big concern for surgery? She does not act like a senior dog at all. • is she too small? • shes only been under anesth
Most dogs are in heat for an average of 2-3 weeks. Keep her away from any intact males during this time. The surgery itself will likely take 20-30 minutes (o complete. She isn't too small or too old. Your veterinarian may recommend pre-anesthetic blood work and a pre-anesthetic exam to confirm good health. Recovery will take about 2 weeks. Try to limit excessive running, jumping or rough play. These activities could place undue stress on the incision and prolong recovery. A crate can be used if necessary. She will probably have an e-collar (cone) on when she is discharged to prevent licking or chewing of the incision. You should get complete discharge instructions from your veterinarian when you pick up Precious.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
are there any major risks when putting an over weight dog under anesthesia. My yorkie silkie is 18lb she was schedule to get spay today but the vet on duty couldn’t do it bc she was a little chuncky he said, tomorrow she has to go back in and anothe
In an overweight dog, there is more fat tissue to get through, and within the abdomen there is fat covering everything making it more difficult to see, and slippery to handle the tissues. It is a little more challenging than a spay in a thin dog. If they rescheduled the procedure with a different veterinarian, it is possible that the veterinarian on duty today wanted to make sure she was in more experienced hands. A spay is a very routine procedure, although no surgery is without risk. You should be thankful that the veterinarian today did what was best for Aubree, and I hope everything goes well tomorrow. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Im trying to feel a bit better about getting her spayed Wednesday. But spaying really doesn’t increase the chance of hemangiosarcoma does it? Like have you seen an increase? & are there any other risks? Because Precious could easily live another 9 ye
There are the usual risks associated with any general anesthesia procedure; which includes complications from surgery like infection, irregular heart beats and apnea. Surgical complications are rare in hospitals that follow standardized protocols and constant monitoring of the patient while under. Ask your vet about the protocols and safety measures that they take for their patients, so that you have a better understanding of the care she is going to receive there. This will hopefully give you some peace of mind. Take care!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I want to spay Lucy.can it be dangerous for her?are there any risks?I'm so worried about her
HI, thanks for using Boop by Petco! In the US spaying cats and dogs is very common. Most Veterinary clinics place IV catheters, give IV fluids, intubate and have them on inhaled gas and oxygen. We monitor them with pulse oximetry and EKG and track blood pressure. Despite how often we do it, it is a major surgery with removal of the ovaries and entire uterus. Cats tend to be "easier" then dogs and the procedure is quicker. The biggest, be it rare, complication would be bleeding or an unpredictable reaction to anesthesia. Sadly no surgery or anesthesia is risk free but the likelihood of a complication is very very small. I feel the health benefits outweigh the small risk. I hope this helps and I wish you and Lucy the very best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I was wondering if a puppy that had been hit by a car would be able to be spayed without any harm from anesthesia? She was a stray a few months ago and went into the vet right away once we found her, she acts like she was never injured for the most p
She would need to be thoroughly examined by a vet. Most dogs that are otherwise stable (as in living day to day without any issues) can undergo anesthesia without complications. The vet may want to take a few extra precautions if they have concern that she could regurgitate during or after anesthesia.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog has never been put under her surgury is already as dxpensive as it is, i can't afford to do the blood work but she has never had any health issue her breathing seems just fine i mean i take her to the vet often. Also she is 4 years old soon sh
Spaying your dog will contribute to her living longer and having a healthier life by eliminating the surge of hormones from when she goes into season that can lead to a uterine infection that can be life threatening, not to mention the additional stresses the hormones and the anxiety of being in season can have on a dog. Bloodwork is a good idea, to get an idea of how her organ systems are functioning and how well she will tolerate the anesthesia. Getting both procedures done at one time will eliminate the need for more than one anesthesia event, so that itself lowers her risk. Ask you vet if they are willing to work with you on getting the bloodwork done, either by running just liver and kidney function testing or if there is a discount for doing all of the work at one time.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
are there any major risks when putting an over weight dog under anesthesia. My yorkie silkie is 18lb she was schedule to get spay today but the vet on duty couldn’t do it bc she was a little chuncky he said, tomorrow she has to go back in and another
There are a couple of reasons that they may have delayed Aubree's surgery. Overweight dogs have a lot more fat in their abdomen which makes the spay procedure more difficult. The surgeon today may have felt that the surgeon who is on tomorrow is a better surgeon or may have worried that they didn't have enough time on the schedule today to do both her spay and her dental. Overweight dogs will sometimes need more careful anesthetic monitoring, but that is always part of what we do when a dog is under anesthesia. Although anesthesia always has risks in any dog, we do everything we can to minimize those risks and certainly the health benefits of a spay and a dental cleaning are worth those risks. Remember, they would not have delayed Aubree's procedures unless they felt it was in her best interest, so they will do everything they can to take care of your baby. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and makes you feel better. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
She is getting spayed today. We are taking her in for her exam at 8:30 am then we will be leaving her and picking her up later. What should we expect when we go get her. I’m really scared and nervous about this
You have very little to worry about, at this age this surgery is considered to be very low risk. when you pick her up she will probably be fully recovered, she might be a little wobbly but that's about it, she will be able to walk out of the clinic by herself. at home she will probably go to sleep until tomorrow, that is normal. make sure to give her the pain killers that your vet provides.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog First Aid & Recovery Dog Recovery Cones & Surgical Suits Dog Health & Wellness Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Dog Braces & Splints Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Bandages & Wound Care Dog Anxiety Medication Dog Lift Harnesses & Wheelchairs Well & Good Dog Recovery Cones & Surgical Suits DOG by Dr Lisa Dog First Aid & Recovery Pride+Groom Dog First Aid & Recovery Well & Good Dog First Aid & Recovery Prednisone Dog First Aid & Recovery All Four Paws Dog Recovery Cones & Surgical Suits Prednisone Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Zen Pet Dog Recovery Cones & Surgical Suits Galliprant Dog First Aid & Recovery Dogswell Dog First Aid & Recovery
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored