[Dailydrool] Spaying Maggie

[Beverly Szaton]

Maggie should act fairly normally after the first 48 hours. Sometimes it
takes them a couple of days to REALLY shake the anesthesia. She should be
hungry, alert, and willing to move around. If she seems dull and listless or
refuses to eat after a day or two then she needs to be seen. But you know
all this. She should wear some kind of protective collar unless you are
sitting with your eyes upon her. This includes leaving to stir the Risotto
or answer the phone. No matter what Maggie promises, do not believe that she
really will leave the stitches alone. Maybe she will. Maybe she won't.
The incision should be dry and clean. Sometimes dogs have allergic responses
to the suture material and the line will become red and weepy. If it does,
or if pockets of fluid form or she seems to be dripping light pink blood,
she is probably ok but take her in anyway and double check. Better safe than
delaying healing time.
About day 5 the stitches start to dry out and pull. My experience has been
that this is when they start messing with the sutures. NEVER leave her alone
without a collar on even if she hasn't shown any interest in the stitches at
all. They have inflatable collars, and soft sided collars which are easier
for dogs to move around with. She should not run, climb stairs, wrestle or
go for long walks. For two weeks or ten days she can stand just going out,
peeing and coming in.
If she has a reaction to the suture material it may slow healing or, when
the stitches come out it may look as if they took them out too early. It
should only be a day or two before the tissue has returned to normal.

At any time if YOU think there is a problem or you are worried then call
your Vet. Most dogs sail through this with nary a look behind. I am sure
Maggie will, as well.

MomPerson to Nigel, Llewis, Conley & Cooper.
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