When you welcome an intact male dog into your family, whether he is a puppy or and adult, is is always a good idea to consider having him neutered. Neutering a male dog will prevent the risk of unwanted litters of puppies being born and can also curb undesirable behavior. Neutering is a relatively simple surgical procedure that is performed by your dog's vet. In most vases, you will drop your dog off at the vet in the morning and you can pick him up that afternoon or evening. While neutering is considered a simple canine surgical procedure, there is a recovery period. Use the following tips to help your dog while he recovers from being neutered:
Expect Some Grogginess
Since neutering is done under general anesthesia, your dog may not act exactly like his normal self when you pick him up from the vet's office. As the anesthesia wears off, you dog may act groggy or be a lot less energetic than he usually is, but this is completely normal. Every dog reacts differently to anesthesia, so do not be alarmed if your dog is acting out of sorts when you bring him home.
Monitor Food and Water
When you arrive home from the vet's office, offer your dog a small amount of food and water. Some dogs may be eager to eat after fasting most of the day, while others may not be interested in food if they are still feeling the effects of the anesthesia. If your dog is not interested in eating when you arrive home, attempt to feed him again a few hours later.
Keep the Cone Collar On
Many vets place a cone shaped collar around a dog's neck after they are neutered. This collar is put in place to help ensure that the dog does not lick or disturb the surgical site. Some dogs may act very irritated when the collar is on, but resist the urge to remove it. The collar will not hurt your dog, and it can play a very important role in ensuring that the surgical site does not get infected.
Give Your Dog Space
For the first few days after surgery, allow your dog to rest as much as possible. Discourage active play, and limit walks to short bathroom breaks. If you have multiple dogs in your household, consider keeping your newly neutered dog in a kennel or other room during the healing process to ensure that his surgical site is not harmed in any way by licking or rough housing.
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