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My dog is getting neutered. How do I care for him after surgery?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Male | neutered | 7 months and 16 days old | 72 lbs

Toby is a 7-month-old dog, the day has a date for Neuter. I'm afraid I do not know how to treat him later.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on November 6th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Neutering a male dog is pretty standard and a relatively easy surgery for a dog to recover from. With in 24 hours after the surgery Toby will feel and want to act normal. Your 2 goals are to prevent licking of the incision, so make sure you get an Elizabethan Collar (cone) or donut and to prevent excessive exercise for 2 weeks. That means no running, jumping, stairs and leash walks only for 10-14 days. It is surgeon preference whether there are skin sutures that need to be removed and sometimes we send them home with 5-7 days of pain medications. After 10-14 days things will be back to normal!

I hope this helps and I wish you and Toby the best~

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Susan England-Foster
Veterinarian
Published on September 8th, 2017
I would recommend just restricting coachs activity for 7-10 days. This includes no running, jumping and playing. I would use short leash walks to use the restroom and Han back inside to rest. Also I would recommend an e-collar to go around his neck to prevent licking his incision. Hope that helps
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 18th, 2019
Give pain medications as directed by the vet. Take Bear out to potty on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. No running, jumping, or playing. Rest him as much as possible. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water and food. Check his incision daily, and if it's red, swollen, warm to the touch, there is excessive discharge, and/or it's opened up, contact his vet right away. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

How can I ensure my dog's neuter recovery is quick and easy?

Give pain medication as prescribed by your veterinarian. It is important to make sure that you restrict his activity to short leash walks only (for the purpose of going to the bathroom) for the first week after surgery. Excessive activity such as running jumping or playing will increase the likelihood of complications. Lastly, but most importantly, he must wear an E collar (cone of shame) to prevent him from looking at or biting at the incision. Licking or biting the incision could lead to the incision coming apart and a need for further surgery. It could also lead to the incision becoming infected which could even make him systemically ill. He will need to wear the color for about 7 to 10 days. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach !

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Adopted a male dog. What aftercare is needed after neutering?

After a neuter it is wise to use an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to prevent licking as this can lead to infection or opening of the incision. Aside from keeping him quiet, you should also monitor the incision for swelling, redness, bruising, or drainage. Make sure he continues to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom regularly. If you notice any irregularities he should be examined by a veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and good luck with your new dog!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog just got neutered. What are the best recovery tips for him?

Hi there, and thanks for posting this question. The first night is usually a little rough, but after that they seem to bounce back so quickly! Make sure your veterinarian sends home some medication for pain management and an E-collar. Those are never fun, but it is worse to be half way healed and then have him Chew out all his stitches and have to start at the beginning again! Short leash walks are great to keep his brain active when his body is supposed to be resting. Also, chew toys help too. Best of luck and he will be healed before you know it!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to prepare and care for my male dog before and after neutering?

The only before care is to make sure Thor is fasted the night before and the morning of the surgery. After surgery, he needs to be kept as quiet as possible to ensure proper healing. No running, jumping, or playing. Keep an Ecollar on him at all times to keep him from licking at his stitches. Feed him his normal diet, and his appetite should be normal 24 hours after surgery. Monitor his incision daily, and if you see signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus), then take him into the vet for treatment. Give pain relief as prescribed by your vet, and monitor his demeanor to make sure he returns to normal. Any questions or concerns, contact your vet. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My male dog was neutered. How long until he's fully recovered?

Hello. Barring any complications, recovery is pretty quick, usually a day or so. But we do recommend taking things easy for 10-14 days to give all the tissues a chance to heal. There is also a small chance that a male dog may have some residual sperm in his reproductive tract that could potentially get a female dog pregnant. After 2 weeks, everything should be completely healed & your pet can return to full activity. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My active dog was neutered. How to manage potty breaks & recovery?

When you pick Reddington up after his procedure he will be a little sleepy from the anesthesia. You will want to keep him inside and very quiet. You will probably be able to feed him a small meal if your vet says it's ok. When he needs to go outside to potty you may even want to keep him on a leash if he tends to get really excitable in the yard. You want to make sure he does not lick at his incision, so an e-collar (cone of shame) is a good idea. Make sure to give the pain medication your vet prescribes to keep him comfortable. The total recovery time is about 10 days. For that time you want to keep him relatively quiet , no off leash walks, wrestling with other dogs or baths.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How to make dog neuter recovery easier? Stitches, eating, and care.

Bear can have dinner the night before the procedure but no breakfast or food of any kind the morning of the procedure. He should be fasted for 12 hours. The stitches will heal in 10 to 14 days and during that time Bear will need to wear an Elizabethan collar at all times and cannot have any exercise at all. Those are the two best things you can do to help ensure a smooth recovery. You will need to check the incision every day for redness, swelling or discharge and have him examined if anything looks abnormal. I hope this helps and feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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