Behavioural issues after spaying

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

My one-year-old dog was spayed on Tuesday morning. The op went well and I picked her up mid-afternoon. She was awake but still a bit groggy.

Since I brought her home, she seems terrified; she won't leave her bed, and when she does get up, she just runs to hide in a corner... She's refusing to go outside, so I have to carry her out. Even when I call her to come up on the sofa with me, she won't budge from her bed; she just looks at me and whines. She isn't coming into the kitchen anymore either, even though she's usually right there hoping for a little treat.

On the plus side, she's eating normally and hasn't been bothering her stitches.

The vet thinks she's just anxious, but we're going back to see them tomorrow anyway just to be sure everything is okay.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of behaviour after their dog was spayed? What could be causing it? How can I help her?

Thanks in advance for your help...

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    • Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yesss, Bach flowers, such a brilliant remedy! They really do work!
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    M
    Mayalita Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I also had my dog spayed back in February and she reacted exactly like yours did. She was absolutely terrified for a few days after the surgery. We would take her out to do her business and she’d pull like mad to get back indoors and hide in her bed, where she wouldn’t budge from all day. We eventually gave her some Bach flower remedies which really helped, as we soon had our girl back to her usual happy self and full of beans again, thank goodness!! Even now, I can’t explain what happened and neither could the vet, but luckily it’s just a bad memory now! Hang in there, it’ll be the same for you in a few days!
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    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yes, it’s quite a major operation, and some girls cope better than others. Just a few days of patience and the lovely girl will be back to her old self (well, almost – nice and peaceful! No more seasons).

    Another thing: it’s not normal for her to be in pain during her jabs. The vet isn't doing it right – I had the same issue with my first vet, and we switched; it was brilliant!! It can cause real trauma; the animal will think to themselves, "ouch, that hurt". Maybe I’m anthropomorphising a bit too much, but animals definitely have memories.

    Cuddles for the lovely girl, and keep us posted. Thanks!

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    We went back to the vet this morning: he gave her an anti-inflammatory injection as he thinks the wound is causing her pain. But there are no signs of infection and no temperature.

    Actually, she’s just very sensitive and is likely to feel some discomfort until her stitches are taken out...

    To be fair, even her booster shots seemed to hurt her...

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Okay, that's something at least ;)

    Yes, it's very strange indeed. I'm not really sure what to tell you, as my girl didn't do that at all after she was spayed...

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I know my vet really well; they looked after my previous dog for 16 years, so I trust them implicitly.

    Basically, as soon as she gets up, she immediately dashes off to lie down in the first corner she can find. When I carry her outside, it’s the same story—a few "running" steps and then she just lies down on the ground...

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Oh no, it’s definitely not normal for her to be terrified... It might be normal if she’s a bit reluctant to walk or jump, as spaying is a pretty major operation, and the anaesthesia takes its toll too. But showing signs of fear isn’t right at all.

    This might sound like a bit of a daft question, but do you trust this vet completely? Are you sure they weren't a bit rough with her while you weren't there?

    Translated from French

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