Rickards is getting neutered in the morning! *update, need help!*

Kindredspirits

BlackLabbie

Just let him rest in a quiet room with a little food and water, check on him but don't expect him to be bouncing around like he was pre-surgery for a few days. My dogs are always a bit groggy and "out of it" the day they come home from being under anesthesia. Apollo is a LARGE male and I had him neutered at 4-5years old, he was very sore, but by the next day he was more of himself. Also, Molson shakes when he's been under anesthesia, until he really wakes up, then he's fine.

Hes in his crate right now, but still not drinking. I wasn't expecting him to be bouncing around, just not so out of it. I've never seen a dog like that before and I've had two dogs in the past spayed. So I just expected him to respond to me at least or maybe have a drink. Rickards is still shaking a bit, I'm positive its from the pain though. He'll stop then when he moves a little he'll whimper and start again.

 When Tootsie was spayed, I made the mistake of giving her dinner. Luckily, she only ate a few bites because 5 minutes later it came back up.

BlackLabbie

Molson shakes and whines every single time he's been under for simple dentals, so IDK if coming "out of it" scares him or what. He also doesn't drink until very late that night or very early (like 4am) the next morning (then he drinks a ton!). Rickards is probably very sore poor guy!

I feel a little bit better hearing it can just take time for some dogs to drink. Is it okay that his mouth is so dry though,  I was wondering if I should try wet his mouth or maybe offer him an icecube or something. Tiffy, I'm going to tread lightly with the food then. I'd rather not make the poor guy sick too lol. If he doesn't want to east all all, do I have to worry about hypoglycemia or will he be okay not eating for 24+ hours?

Thanks everyone for talking to me and helping me. I don't like seeing an animal or human hurt, just gets to me. *sigh*

 Sorry for the delay - was out running the dogs.  I replied to your pm - hopefully that helps.  I gave you more details in my note, but for those following the story I figured I'd mention that nothing looked too out of the ordinary to me (of course I'm not a vet, it's just ime).

I've seen dogs shake coming out of anesthesia just as a side effect of the drugs.  I've actually done the exact same when coming out from sedation as well - at least in humans I was told it's the body's involuntary response to one of the drugs wearing off since it can act a bit like a paralytic.

Each dog handles surgery very differently so it can make things hard to read when it comes to determining if you have a problem.  (((hugs)))

 Also, there is generally a tube down their throat. A sore throat will make you not want to drink much. Mine have always been odd after dentals and neuters, especially as they became adult aged. Emma took it the best of all the dogs, but she was an extremely stoic dog, and faked it with the best of them.

Bailey was very groggy and unresponsive after his surgery. He did not drink anything that night at all, and the next day he didnt want to drink anything either. It was the second day in the afternoon I finally got him to drink, and after that he started drinking a TON, and he kept drinking a lot for a couple days after.

I wouldnt get to worried about it yet... After Bailey had his surgery his vet said that some dogs are very vocal and clingy after surgery, and some are very sedate and dont want to do anything except lay on their bed. Bailey wasnt vocal, he didnt whine at all or really show that he was in pain, but he was VERY clingy. He would actually sleep unless he was laying right next to me. If I was not RIGHT next to him (even if I was sitting in a chair a couple feet away) he would not settle down and kept getting up to come and be near me. I slept next to me on the bed that night and in the next morning he was a little more responsive and a little less clingy, but he wasnt compltely normal till about 3-4 days after the surgery.

I agree with everyone else...they day you bring them home from surgery they typically just don't feel like themselves; and could go into the next day or so.  Please try not worry...let time heal.  Also, you probably know that you really want your energy level to be nice and calm and non-chalant.  Try not to worry, if simply for his sake.  Take some nice deep breaths, let some time go by, try to rest and call your vet in the morning.

Sending him some "feel better" vibes...try to relax. 

All dogs wake up from anesthesia differently, & the way that Rickards is waking up sounds relatively normal to me. 

Shooter is a screamer when he wakes up.  He screams for no reason for the first 4-5 hours after waking up.  He refuses food & water for the first 8 hours or so, but he's always up for ice chips.

Bevo shakes almost uncontrollably, & is totally out of it for 10-12 hours after waking up from anesthesia.  He refuses to eat or drink during this time. 

Thanks everyone, I'm really trying not to worry guys. I just can't help it. He still can't walk and hes peeing on himself. He tries to stand and just falls down. I have him in his crate with towels and I've been changing the towels to keep him clean. Is that normal that he can't walk? He still isn't drinking either, I'm not going to push it. My vet opens up at 8:30am and I'm taking him in. At the very least he needs pain meds or something to help him be more comfortable. I can't stand this at all.  

Getting some pain meds in the morning probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Usually they're given a pain injection before leaving the clnic, that should last him through the evening. Since he's a bit older it isn't uncommon for them to be a bit more sore (think getting your tonsils out as an adult s as a child) but he should improve more daily.

As was said, all dogs (and cats..and humans) recover differently. His behavior doesn't seem abnormal. I'd not worry about the eating or drinking..he won't dehydrate in a day's time.  as for walking, it's not uncommon for them to be a bit wobbly..so likely he feels like the world is spinning and can't get his bearings. This should pass by tomorrow. 

For Bevo, it is totally normal for him not to be able to stand up for quite a while after anesthesia.  I usually have to carry him outside, & help him stand so that he can pee.  The next morning he is usually still a little groggy, but willing to drink & eat.  By midday, he's back to his normal self.

You may find that, tomorrow morning, he is quite comfortable without pain meds.  That's usually how it goes here.  I feel bad for not having pain meds for them, only to find out, the next day, that it wasn't pain but the anesthetic recover that was causing them to act uncomfortable.

Give your little guy some lovins from us.

Hope Rickards is feeling much better by morning. 

 Hope he's feeling better today!!

How's he feeling today?

I don't mind taking a look at the pictures, if you want - I work for a spay/neuter clinic down here!