Advice Please

Caley is going to the vet tomorrow to be spayed - I know some of you don't agree with doing it early, but I feel its the best thing for us to do for her, I have my reasons for this. I was unsure whether to come on here and ask for advice as I have seen debates over spaying, but I am hoping you will look past this and help me.

My concern is the best way to look after Caley afterwards, I will be off work now for four days to stay home with her but I wondered for those who have had their dogs spayed what I can expect and the best ways to keep her calm (yes, I know probably alot easier said than done). Also, do I let her walk up the stairs or should we carry her, can I let her in the garden to go toilet, how long before I can take her for a walk - I'm sure the vet will let me know alot of this, but I am trying to get ahead of myself and plan for this as I am not looking forward to leaving her tomorrow and know I will probably forget all my questions.

Many thanks for any advice.

Why not write down any questions you have for the vet on a notepad, this is what I do, they way I dont forget things.

It will be difficult to keep her quiet, but then she may well be a bit dopey for a day or two anyway. I'm sure the vet will fill you in on any questions you have. The veterinary nurse is always a good one to speak to too.

You're right, I don't agree! But your decision!

She'll be quite mopey & maybe a bit whiney when she comes home. Don't worry, she isn't in pain, it's just the effects of the anaesthetic.

You can certainly let her into the garden for a wee etc, but no walks for a few days (the vet'll tell you how long). After that, short lead walks until the stitches come out.

If she wants to go upstairs (and you want her to) I'd let her do it herself, in her own time. If you pick her up you may hurt the wound & that wouldn't be very nice for her.

Caryll wrote:You're right, I don't agree! But your decision!

She'll be quite mopey & maybe a bit whiney when she comes home. Don't worry, she isn't in pain, it's just the effects of the anaesthetic.

You can certainly let her into the garden for a wee etc, but no walks for a few days (the vet'll tell you how long). After that, short lead walks until the stitches come out.

If she wants to go upstairs (and you want her to) I'd let her do it herself, in her own time. If you pick her up you may hurt the wound & that wouldn't be very nice for her.

Agree with this. You may also want to focus on training inside and mental stimulation games to help with her energy.

Keeping a pup calm and trying to stop them jumping about is a lot easier said than done I'd imagine! Maybe just give her stuff she can lie down and chew, like a stagbar or something! I'd try not give rope toys etc as with Bailey he runs about and jumps with a rope toy! I'd maybe let her out in the garden for the toilet for a day or 2 after and then short walks on lead after that.

Cant really help but someone with experience with spaying should be along soon!

She will be wobbly when you bring her home and she will most likely cry a little over night (cairo did).She will mostly sleep as well.Then the next day will come and thats when you will have trouble with keeping her still Keep her from running up and down the stairs.If she is allowed on the sofa,you could get something like a foot rest to help her get up without straining her stitches. With staffies its very hard to keep them still,especially the young ones.Toys to keep her occupied lying down will help.Kongs stuffed with natural yoghurt and some of her kibble and then frozen will be good.

There is a big debate on spaying early,some agree and some dont. Cairo was done before her first season with no ill affects.

I can only echo what has been said, with regs the stairs I was advised to carry her up if, that was my first and with Moo we don't have stairs. Honestly it isn't as bad as you think and will be done and dusted in no time and they heal so quickly. You'll both be fine so try not to worry

i had my gsd spayed when she was 6/7 years old so was very calm anyway but we took her in the garden on a lead and for short walks 2 days after her opp and she was fine
mine never went up stairs but if it were me i would let her take her time

Many thanks for so many responses so quickly.

Caley sleeps in her crate next to us upstairs, I don't think she would like to stay downstairs on her own, but I will see what she wants to do, at worst I will sleep downstairs with her lol

I have wrote down a list of questions to ask the vet now as well.

I feel just as worried as when my son had his op a few years ago..lol and she was not supposed to be my dog.

To be honest, although the vet will probably tell you no stairs, as long as she is allowed to take her time there shouldn't be a problem. When Dempsey had his stomach operation we were also told no stairs (a bit impossible as our front door is on the 1st floor!). Dempsey gradually climbed, one step at a time, with me in front to stop him trying to go too fast & my oh behind to steady him if he needed it. He was fine, and far happier than he would have been if he'd been left downstairs.

We tried to lift him, but he yelped so loudly that we didn't try again.

There wont be any problem with going up and down the stairs.Just as long as she goes up and down them calmly as possible.It may be helpful to follow her when shes going up and down the stairs to keep her steady.

When we got maisy done we was told to take her in garden for wees on a lead for the first few days and not to let her jump up and not to walk her for about a week then just short lead walks for another week, it was hard to keep her calm but she recovered quick and well. Id keep her away from stairs and sofas for a few days if you can .

One of the downsides to a dog sleeping upstairs is times like this. If you are really concerned then spend a night downstairs with her for peaco of mind, we too were told to avoid jumping and stairs. Jumping ok stairs mkuch more difficult as she wanted to be with us all of the time , so take it steady and limit your trips, she will be fine

I'm glad this has been asked, as I was not far off asking myself.

Bode is in her second season as we speak, Ill be looking to have her spayed in a couple of months.

guess living in a bunglaow will benefit us here lol

Let us know how it all goes Debbie

It's amazing how quickly they recover from spaying. The hardest part is convincing them that they haven't really recovered yet.... on the 2nd day after!

Caryll wrote:It's amazing how quickly they recover from spaying. The hardest part is convincing them that they haven't really recovered yet.... on the 2nd day after!

Too true , but maybe 3rd day for Tilly

Well, I have dropped her off this morning and could not believe I actually had a few tears, she went off happily wagging her tail...little does the poor mite know.

In regards to the stairs, we normally have the stairs blocked off during the day, she only goes up them when we go to bed, the Vet said too let her slowly go up or carry her, whichever is comfortable for her, I think now the problem will be the settee she is always on there with us.

OH is off to pets at home today to get her a new stag bar and plenty of chewy things in hope of keeping her calm, but knowing Caley she will want to throw them around and chase them first lol....Roll on 2pm when I can phone and find out how she is...

She'll be fine, honestly. Just need some tlc for a while!