GSD Care: Simple Tips to Care for Your Puppy After Spaying
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Simple Tips to Care for Your Puppy After Spaying
One of the tasks of every responsible pet owner is to have their puppy sterilized at the appropriate time. This not only safeguards the health of the puppy, but it also prevents contributing to the burgeoning pet population and unwanted animals.
The sterilizing process for a female German Shepherd is called “spaying,” in which the ovaries are removed. This is a surgical process and is more invasive than neutering a male German Shepherd. Advice for the best time to spay a puppy varies depending on who you are talking to. Regardless of the age, you will need to pay attention to puppy care after spaying.
The most common consensus is between five and eight months, when the German Shepherd’s reproductive system has matured and prior to the German Shepherd going into heat. However, if the German Shepherd does go into heat, it is not recommended to have her spayed until after the period has ended. The risk for complications is higher during the surgery as well as lengthening the recovery time.
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Some rescue groups will sterilize a German Shepherd as young as eight weeks. Contact your vet to see the most optimum time to sterilize your puppy based on their breed and health. While spaying is an invasive procedure, there are some simple steps that can be taken to ease the discomfort for your German Shepherd.
Limit Activity
Post surgery is not the time for your puppy to be running around and exploring. Just as you would for a human family member going through a medical procedure, plan on setting aside some time to be home to attend to your German Shepherd after the surgery. Keep her indoors and limit her space to roam if possible. Your German Shepherd should not be jumping on furniture or doing any other strenuous activity for the first day or so after the surgery. Make sure to have a comfortable bed that is easy for her to get on and off.
Protect Stitches
The one challenge after the spaying procedure is that your German Shepherd may try to scratch or bite at the stitches. This needs to be prevented as it could cause the wound to open, the incision to get infected, or both. If your German Shepherd has a tendency to do this, the best solution is to get an inexpensive cone shaped collar to prevent it.
Monitor Food and Water
The other consideration is to monitor your German Shepherd’s food and water intake for several days following the surgery. Ask your vet for the recommended amounts. Also ask regarding medication usage and dosages for the period following the surgery. Just as with humans, it is better to be preemptive about pain medication to keep the discomfort to a minimum.
Signs to Watch For
The main signs to watch for after your German Shepherd has been spayed is the stitches breaking open or the wound becoming infected. If the incision area has abnormal swelling or a dark or infected discharge, contact your vet right away.
Spaying your puppy is a necessary step in the life of your German Shepherd; however, with proper attention to the care of your puppy, the discomfort will quickly pass.
Get more tips on puppy care as well as puppy care after spaying.