Callie was spayed yesterday. When I picked her up the ran down the list of aftercare instructions but I was so focused on her and my daughter who wasn't behaving that I would like to make sure I heard correctly.

She was very groggy yesterday, barely moved and slept all day. This morning she woke up ready to go. We hid all of her toys so she wouldn't hurt herself running. She keeps running though. Should I keep her in a crate? If so, how long until she's able to run free during the day?

Also, it's been pouring rain here... Callie is potty trained so she'll hold it forever if she has too... I know they said do not let her get wet for a week but it's supposed to pour all week, what do I do?

One more thing, they said to monitor the incision. It looks fine, no redness, swelling, or puss but the it a little bump in the middle of it (it looks like another nipple) but it's in the middle of the cut... should I have the Vet check this out, or am I over reacting?

Thanks in advance!

One more thing...

If crating is necessary, I am worried that she will just sit there and lick herself all day long. I am on vacation all week so I do have the time to spend with her to stop her from licking... I just cannot stop her from running.

Luv. I had my mother-in-laws chihuai spayed yesterday. She was groggy as well and slept almost the rest of the day. Today she is up and eating and acting normal except she can not climb on the couch. While I would not encourage her to play I would not try to hold her down. Also I would be afraid if I crated her it would give her too much down time to concertrate on her incision. Cricket does not have that lump, but I remember lUmps with some of the cats I have had spayed, unless it started oozing or getting red and hot I would not worry about it. If she licks the site too much you can always get her a collar. Put her on her leash, take her on very short grass to do her business and then right back inside or on the side walk for short walks.

Usually at that age they do bounce back quickly. I hate it when my vet tells me to keep the puppy quiet and doesn't give me any Valium for them. I would mostly allow allow her to set the pace. Perhaps let her have her chews unless they excite her too much.

A dog that is so small might almost need a golf green to keep the wet grass off her incision. Will she go on pavement or gravel, or even ay bare ground you may have?

You might call the vet with some of your questions.

I am glad you took that responsible step. I wish everyone not willing to make the major commitment to breed quality dogs would do so. You. Your dog, and the rest of society is so much better off with her spayed.

Hi Luv! Glad to see that you were finally able to get her spayed. You are a good and responsible owner. Both bushg & labman have given good advice. Her reaction following the surgery is very normal. It is just the after effect of the anesthesia. Pretty upsetting for us to watch our babies go through. They all act dopey, have trouble walking more than a few feet without collapsing, and will sleep a lot. As you experienced, they are back to their old selves the next day.

There is nothing wrong with your dog moving or running around. Just keep an eye on her. If she won't potty on gravel, pavement or if there isn't grass short enough, you may want to pick up a box of gauze sponges/pads that are large enough to cover the entire area of the incision along with some first aid gauze tape, which has a light adhesive that is easy to remove. Both can be found in the pharmacy section of any store. Right before each walk, put those on her as though you are bandaging your daughter's boo-boo. After each walk, always remove it. That will protect the area from the outside elements.

If she is trying to lick or tear at the incision, the collar bushg refers to is called an Elizabethan collar. You should be able to pick that up at a local pet store or you can purchase one from your vet.

Just keep an eye on the "bump." It just may be slight swelling which can be an after effect of the surgery and will go down on its own, or she may be having an allergic reaction to the stitches, in which case you will see the bump get a little bigger and redder. If that happens, a call to the vet is required. Did the vet give you a "care sheet" or just verbal directions? In any event, since you have paid for the surgery, just call the vet's office if you have any concerns, as labman suggested. They will answer any follow up questions you may have. Since she doesn't appear to be in pain, medication won't be necessary. Just doublecheck with the vet to make sure that she doesn't require you to do anything more than keeping the area clean, keeping her from chewing on it, and keeping her from playing with other dogs or being placed in a situation where accidental pulling on the incision can occur. Even though they tell you to keep the dog from running around, that is pretty standard for them to say but they know that it is an impossibility with healthy puppies. Let us know how she is doing.

Callie is doing well today. The bump seems to have gotten longer today. It looks like the extra skin from where they stitched her up, I guess? I'm continuing to keep an eye on it though.

She won't go potty on the cement or anything (which is usually considered a good thing) but I've mowed the grass really short in a spot where she can go and nothing touches her wound.

Thanks for taking the time to answer. And as always Callie thanks you too! :)