As for why the vet didn’t initially give me a prescription, it might be that the vet didn’t want to overprescribe (for both health / cost reasons), seeing as many dogs don’t need anything more than the initial injection. On the other hand, this may be a way for him to make a few extra dollars profit on the extra vet visit. I really hope it isn’t the later because it makes me sick to think that Maggie has had to suffer so much so that someone could make some profit. That would be grossly inhumane.

In any event, I am very grateful for this site & your (extremely timely) reply. It is comforting to know that there are people out there who have shared similar experiences and that genuinely care. Thank you so much!

Coton Mom

A few of our girls had blood in their pee and we were initially worried but it is actually quite common. The eating is the same. Daisy went for an age before getting back to normal and has an extremely hard time of it. Her stitches split, she would not eat for days and was in pain even with her meds. They will get back to eating in their own time. They will never starve themselves. Just carry on with nice treats for a while.

What I am concerned about is that like a few other people you were not given antibiotics or pain meds. I would call the vet to check on this. And if you or anyone else could report back on what the vet says about not supplying pain meds or antibiotics it would be a great help for everyone. For all 3 of our girls we were given a prescription for both, expensive but it seemed very necessary, especially for Daisy who was in a very bad condition for quite some time afterwards.

I am somewhat worried about Maggie as her recovery process seems to be much slower than many of the dogs I’ve read about. She is in a lot of pain… the first night after her surgery she cried a lot and did not sleep at all. The crying has stopped, but she is still in a lot of discomfort. She has been in her bed since we brought her home and outside the occasional spasm (where she frantically runs/hobbles around in a spastic circle and then stops suddenly)she hasn’t moved an inch. Her behaviour is very worrisome… she looks so scared… she panics when I try to touch her… and any motion causes her lots of pain. I wish there was something I could do for her and it concerns me to read that other dogs were hiking / back to there old selves in this time frame!

She is not eating or drinking much either. She won’t eat from her bowls, even when I place them under her chin, so I have resorted to hand feeding her. She turns away from all her usual favourites and the most I have been able to get her to eat is some bread soaked in milk. I have brought her outside and she has gone to the bathroom, so at least that part is OK. I am sure her appetite will return if she could just get over the pain.

One thing I did notice tonight is that Maggie has some dried blood near her pee hole area (not where the stitches are, but where the entry of her vagina is). She has never had her period so it was shocking for me to see blood there, nor did I notice the blood when we brought her home, so my concern is that she is bleeding internally. Is this possible or could it be just reminants from her surgery?

I know spaying a dog has a lot of benefits, but 3 days after the surgery, I am really worried about her and somewhat regretting putting her through this terrible pain.

Coton Mommy

That is totally normal. Some Dogs will sleep, and others will fight it and try to move about to get away from the sensation. I am surprised again that you had no pain meds given. It seems to be quite common judging from the comments here. If she whines or really tries to get at the stitches, or jumps in shock then you will know she is in pain. I would call the vets to ask about pain relief. Could you let us know what they say?

I think now you will have to wait until she has had her season and then it can be done fairly quickly. But just ask the vet they will know what is best for her.