Having your male dog neutered can have several benefits including preventing serious illness as well as unwanted litters of puppies. Here, our vets in Boulder County talk about how you can comfort a dog in pain and how giving your dog pain meds after neutering surgery can help relieve their discomfort.
What are the benefits of neutering your male dog?
Frequently referred to as having your dog 'fixed', getting your dog neutered can have several benefits for your dog.
- Population Control: It is estimated that more than three million dogs enter US rescue shelters every 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 have the added benefit of helping to curb undesirable behaviors such as mounting, roaming and animal aggression, in addition to preventing the risk of fathering unwanted puppies.
- Health Benefits: Neutering your dog reduces their risk of developing testicular cancer, prostate diseases, perineal tumors and hernias.
Is it safe to have my dog neutered?
Both spaying and neutering surgeries are commonly performed by veterinarians. Even so, there are still risks associated such as with anesthesia.
To minimize surgical risks for your dog, your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive examination and may recommend diagnostic testing such as blood work be performed before surgery day. This can help to ensure that your pet does not have any undiagnosed health concerns that may increase their risk of surgical complications.
During your dog's surgery, our veterinary team will continuously monitor their vitals for signs of complications, ensuring their safety.
How to Comfort a Dog in Pain
We understand that you'll want to keep your dog comfortable while they recover from neutering surgery. The simplest way to accomplish this is to follow your veterinarian's specific postoperative care guidelines. After surgery, your veterinarian may prescribe pain medications for your dog; if this is the case, make sure to administer all medications as directed. Other ways to help relieve your dog's pain after neutering surgery include:
- Put your dog in a cone (e-collar or Elizabethan collar) or postoperative jumpsuit (recovery suit) to prevent him or her from licking the incision site which can cause infection.
- Check the incision site daily to confirm the incision is healing well, and that there are no signs of infection.
- For two weeks after the neuter surgery, prevent your pet from jumping or running.
- 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 indoors, 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. Your pup should begin behaving more like themselves the next day and show little sign of pain or discomfort.
You should notice an improvement within a few days, and your dog should look like their old self after about a week. If your pet appears to be in discomfort or pain for more than a few days, consult your veterinarian for further 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 neutering, 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 postoperative pain your dog may experience. Rimadyl or Torbugesic are both common dog pain medications prescribed after neuter surgery. 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 dogs.
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.