I had my almost 6 month old puppy spayed two days ago. The area they opened for the spaying looks fine, she's really not bothering that area. But she keeps licking her privates now, and it looks a bit red there. Is that normal or do you think she's getting an infection there? I've put an e-collar on her, but she can still reach that area with it on.
2007-03-23 18:43:09 · 14 answers · asked by Huskies 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I know dogs clean themselves, all dogs do that and she did that before the spaying. But now she's doing it all the time and she acts like its bothering her.
2007-03-23 18:50:40 · update #1
It's not the area of stitches that she's licking, its her vagina.
2007-03-23 18:52:22 · update #2
I have 2 female dogs, both spayed at around 6 months. They did that. They fought and played so much that I really couldn't constrain them very well nor could I keep the weird conical collars on them. They were supposed to stay quiet for a few days, but even if I took them out for a 'bathroom' break, they'd run and play or fight (play fighting.).
Bottom line, it was really about the worst possible scenario for a post spaying dog situation. I was extremely worried. In spite of all the possible issues, they were fine in the long run.
The vet told me there wasn't much they could do to mess anything up, it was just a matter of minimizing recovery time.
They really sew them up well.
They both got minor infections in their incisions, and I had to get antibiotics for them. It cleared up right away. If the incision stays red or starts to seep a little pus, that's infection of course.
Like the other answer said, keep an eye out for infection. Get her to the vet and get some doggy antibiotics if it looks like an issue. Otherwise, I'd guess she'll be fine regardless of what she does.
Good luck.
Kevin
2007-03-23 19:00:00 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let her, the reason its red is because she's licking it. I'm going through the same thing with my four month old who just got neutered (minus the e-collar). After about 2 days of every time i see his head in that area i say 'unnh-uhh' and move it hes pretty much stopped and its only a little red (which is normal). my vet gave specific directions to NOT let my dog lick that are in order to avoid redness and infection. My dog was neutered on Tuesday and his sutures look great now that he's not trying to lick it. also put her in a kennel when you're not at home because she could be jumping etc. and that might cause irritation.
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if its not the wound itself, take her to the vet. I don't know about all vets but my vet doesn't charge for follow ups, especially from complications now if they have to open her back up it might cost you but its best always to just double check.
2007-03-23 19:03:06 · answer #2 · answered by revenantxheart 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is pretty normal, sounds to me like her collar isn't big enough. If it is very red, or has any odor get it checked better safe than sorry.
She will always clean herself down there, but it sounds like this is more than that. Sometimes dogs will obsessively lick themselves after spaying surgery. Which could just be a bit red since she is irrating herself. So, I would get a bigger collar so she can't lick herself there while she heals. If the redness continues you should get her checked.
Once she is healed and the collar is off she will continue to clean herself in a normal manner.
2007-03-23 18:47:55 · answer #3 · answered by Proud to be APBT 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Part of the surgery took place just inside when they removed the uterus, so either their is a problem with it healing inside possibly infected at the top of the vagina, or is it becoming itchy inside from the healing, it is hard to say but to stay on the safe side may be worth a trip to the vet, unless you can find a way to stop her from licking long enough to see if there is a discharge or not
2007-03-23 19:03:35 · answer #4 · answered by OntarioGreys 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's what the collar is for: preventing her licking the area. Talk to your vet about getting her a bigger collar as soon as you can, and you may have to have her checked for infection or if there are any stitches that were messed with by the licking.
2007-03-23 18:53:06 · answer #5 · answered by poetsespresso 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The redness is in all likelihood dryness led to by utilising all the licking. Has she had a bathtub presently? She could be itchy. i'd supply her a bathtub utilising an oatmeal shampoo that may not make the dryness worse. If the purple section turns right into a sore, i'd placed some dogs-secure ointment on it. save a watch on the section and in case you spot any blood or discharge, call your vet.
2016-10-01 10:05:15 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is normal for dogs because licking its privates is grooming or hygenic for dogs. It is to prevent infections on its private parts. I also have a dog, licking his erect male genitalia. Or otherwise, their mating season. It only happens eduring three days a month, 7 months a year.
2007-03-23 19:19:42 · answer #7 · answered by namaste 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very normal...dogs will lick any wound they can find.
As I'm sure your vet told you though...try to NOT let her lick her wound very much right now because she could disturb the stitches. You should be gentle, but firm, in trying to not let her disturb the stitches...if this persists call your vet for advice.
2007-03-23 18:50:39 · answer #8 · answered by Packrabid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you paid so much money to protect your pup from unwanted puppies call the vet and tell them....Also watch for a bubble in the area, sometime they have to drain them.
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See if her incision area is swollen, slightly red, and has a bit of a lump on one side.
2007-03-23 18:56:40 · answer #9 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's probably still itchy, if she keeps getting more red I'd have her checked by the vet that spayed her.
2007-03-23 19:26:45 · answer #10 · answered by Chickaloon Chick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋