Spaying is a common procedure for dogs, and an important one. However, your pooch may experience some side effects during recovery. It’s natural to worry if your dog is crying after getting spayed.
You should know that some crying after spay is normal, but if it’s excessive, you should be concerned.
Why is my dog crying after getting spayed?
It’s normal for your dog to whine after a surgery like getting spayed. There are several potential reasons for this.
Dysphoria
Dysphoria is essentially disorientation or confusion that occurs after anesthesia. When your pooch undergoes spay surgery, she will be put under anesthesia before the procedure.
This allows her to sleep through the procedure. However, when she wakes up, she will experience confusion and disoreintation.
If you’ve ever had anesthesia, you probably experienced the same thing. You may be confused. Perhaps it took a bit for you to realize where you were, and what had just happened.
When your pooch experiences this, it’s natural for her to whine or cry. She lacks the understanding that we have as humans. She only knows that she’s confused. This can cause her to be scared or anxious, which typically leads to crying.
Pain
The most common reason for a dog to cry after surgery is pain. Spaying is a major surgical procedure. Incisions are made, and reproductive organs are removed. This is generally a safe procedure, but it will cause pain during recovery.
This type of crying usually begins as the anesthesia begins to wear off. Immediately after surgery, the anesthetic will prevent your pooch from feeling pain.
In the hours after surgery, your dog may begin to start feeling pain. This can cause her to cry.
You may notice that she cries more when moving or immediately after movement. This is a sign that pain is likely the culprit. If she hasn’t had pain medication recently, this makes it more likely that pain is the culprit as well.
Anxiety
Surgery is a pretty traumatic event, for a human or a dog. Of course, they should recover quickly, and there are plenty of benefits to spaying. However, they may experience anxiety after the surgery.
This can be due to the confusion after anesthesia, pain, or simply their routine being turned upside down. Anxiety after surgery should calm within a few days after surgery.
If it doesn’t, you should consult your vet.
Other signs of anxiety include panting, pacing, and drooling. They may seem restless or lethargic.
Positive Reinforcement
Have you ever had a sick child? You drop everything each time they ask, and give them plenty of extra attention and affection. As they get better, they often still expect this same level of care and attention.
You and your dog can also fall into this pattern, because dogs learn from positive reinforcement. Your pooch cries, and you go check on them. After this occurs a few times, they learn that crying brings attention from you.
They naturally enjoy this, so it encourages them to continue whining to get your attention. It may start out with them crying for a legitimate reason, and continue because it gets them what they want.
Is it normal for dogs to cry after getting spayed?
It’s normal for your dog to cry some after getting spayed. It is a surgery, and your dog may experience pain or discomfort, anxiety, and disorientation.
What Isn’t Normal?
If your pooch is experiencing severe pain or whining after surgery, this might be a cause for concern.
You should expect your dog to not feel like themselves and experience pain during the first few days after surgery. However, if they seem in distress or intense pain, give your vet a call.
You should also call your vet if your pooch seems to be in pain after they’ve had pain medication. Remember, the medication can take a little time to work.
However, if they seem to be in significant pain an hour after their medication, they may be experiencing a complication. It’s also possible that they are simply more sensitive to pain, or that there’s another cause for the whining.
How Long Will My Dog Experience Pain?
It’s normal for your dog to be in pain for about a week. The pain will likely be the most intense during the first few days after surgery.
If your pooch is still whining often after the first few days, it’s a good idea to give your vet a call.
What to do if my dog keeps crying after getting spayed?
It’s hard to see your four legged family member in any type of discomfort, no matter what the cause of the whining is. If your pooch keeps crying after getting spayed, there are some things you can do.
Give Her a Rest Area
Your pooch will need to take it easy for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. The first few days it’s especially important that she gets plenty of rest. You’ll want to give her a soft comfortable bed.
It should be in a quiet area. However, many dogs prefer to be near their owner, so you may want to put her in a corner of the living room, within sight of you.
Place her food and water near her rest area, so she doesn’t have to move around too much. You may also want to place a puppy pad nearby, if she’s not up for going outdoors to potty.
Comfort Them
One of the best things you can do for your pooch is simply to be there for them. If they settle down when you are there, they need your presence.
If it’s within the first 24 hours after surgery and they stop crying when you are with them, it’s likely disorientation due to anesthesia. You let them know they are safe and ok.
If it’s been longer than 24 hours and they calm down as soon as you are by their side, they may be experiencing anxiety. They may also simply be accustomed to the extra attention.
If you suspect anxiety is the cause, be patient with them. They should recover from it soon.
If positive reinforcement is the issue, you’ll need to wean them off extra attention. Start delaying responding to them, eventually ignoring some of their cries, as long as you know they are ok.
When Comfort Doesn’t Work
You’ve tried sitting down beside your pooch and even giving her a good petting. She’s still crying. Now what do you do?
In this case, she is likely in pain. Give her pain medication if you are allowed to do so. Never give your pooch human medication. Only give what your vet prescribed, in the correct dosage.
If she still seems to be in pain, give your vet a call. She may need a different pain medication. Your vet may also want to examine her to check for complications.