Having your male dog neutered offers several benefits, including preventing litters of unwanted puppies and serious illnesses. In this post, our La Pine vets discuss how you can comfort a dog in pain after neutering and how giving your dog pain medications can help relieve their discomfort.
What are the benefits of neutering your male dog?
Getting your dog neutered (also often referred to as having your dog 'fixed') can offer several benefits, including:
- Population Control – It's estimated that more than three million dogs enter rescue shelters across the United States each year. Neutering your pup is one of the best things you can do to help reduce the number of homeless dogs in your area.
- Behavioral Benefits – These surgeries also help curb undesirable behaviors in dogs, such as mounting, animal aggression, and roaming, along with preventing the risk of your dog fathering unwanted puppies.
- Health Benefits – Neutering your dog reduces the risk of developing testicular cancer, perineal tumors, hernias, and prostate diseases.
Is it safe to have my dog neutered?
It absolutely is. Veterinarians regularly perform spaying and neutering surgeries. However, there are still risks associated with the procedures, such as anesthesia.
To minimize surgical risks for your pooch, your veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive examination, and potentially diagnostic testing such as blood work, before the day of your dog's procedure. This can help to confirm that your pet does not have undiagnosed health issues that may increase their risk of surgical complications.
During your dog's surgery, our veterinary team will continuously check on their vitals for signs of complications to ensure their safety.
How to Comfort a Dog in Pain
We understand that you'll want to help keep your dog comfortable while they recover from their neutering procedure. The easiest way to accomplish this is to follow your vet's specific post-operative care instructions closely. Dog pain meds may be prescribed after surgery. If this is the case for your pup, be sure to administer all medications as instructed by your veterinarian. Here are some other tips to help you relieve your dog's pain after neutering surgery:
- Put a cone (e-collar or Elizabethan collar) around your dog's head to prevent him from licking the incision site. Licking the site can introduce bacteria and cause infection.
- Check the incision site daily to confirm it is healing well and that there are no signs of infection.
- Prevent your dog from running or jumping for two weeks following his neuter surgery.
- If you notice any discharge, swelling or redness at the surgery site, or if the incision opens, contact your vet. Also, call your vet if your dog has diarrhea, begins vomiting, stops eating or seems lethargic.
- Have a quiet place for your dog to rest and recover, away from other animals.
- Follow your vet’s advice about physical activity following the procedure, since further restrictions may be required for your dog.
How long will my dog be in pain after neutering?
After surgery, your dog may seem tired or queasy due to the effects of the anesthesia. The next day, your pup should begin behaving more like itself and show little sign of pain or discomfort.
You should notice an improvement within a few days and your dog should seem like their old self after about a week. If your pet seems to be experiencing discomfort or pain for more than a couple of days, contact your vet for more advice.
What can I give my dog for pain after surgery?
Anesthesia will help to prevent pain during the actual neutering procedure, but your dog will require pain meds to help with pain after surgery is complete. Following the surgery, pain medication will be administered to your dog through an injection your vet will provide. This long-term pain medication should remain in your dog’s system for about 12 to 24 hours.
Your vet will prescribe take-home medications intended to help relieve any post-operative pain your dog may experience. When it comes to giving your dog pain medications, follow your vet’s instructions exactly and carefully. Never provide human pain medications to your dog as many of our pain medications can be harmful and even poisonous to them.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.