My dog isn't eating after surgery. Is it time to call the vet?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Luna. I do recommend that she sees a veterinarian today. Her incision appears to be healing well. I do not see redness, swelling or discharge draining out. However, pictures can be deceiving. I am more worried that she is not eating. The diarrhea needs to be addressed as well. The veterinarian will examine her and take her temperature. A fever, for example, can indicate an infection. If you stopped her medications, which is reasonable given the diarrhea, she may be very painful now though. This too can affect appetite. The veterinarian will guide you on any testing or treatment options. In the meantime, keep her quiet, encourage her to drink so she doesn't become dehydrated and do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Occasionally after spaying, dogs will have no appetite for the first 12-24 hours. This may be due to the lingering effects of [anesthesia](https://www.petcoach.co/article/pets-and-anesthesia-everything-you-need-to-know) and/or some post operative discomfort. If she still has no appetite two days after spaying, I would be concerned that she may be in [pain](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-measure-your-dogs-pain) or there may be another underlying concern affecting her[ recovery](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-ways-to-rest-your-pet-after-surgery-or-injury). Call your veterinarian to discuss your concerns. He or she may recommend a recheck, and some more [pain medication](https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-pain-relief-solutions-for-dogs). In the meantime, take a look at her incision site. If it is red, swollen and hot to the touch, she needs to see your veterinarian right away as these symptoms may indicate infection. You can also try offering her a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice or some treats to stimulate her appetite.

The onesies may be uncomfortable or stressful for her. Try taking them off at feeding time. Watch her closely though so she doesn't get to her incision. You can also warm her food slightly or mix in a teaspoon of plain baby food to stimulate the appetite.

This is not normal, so I would be somewhat concerned. I would be more concerned if she was also vomiting, had diarrhea, and/or a decrease in activity. Some pain medications can cause side-effects in the stomach and usually have directions not to give these when they are not eating. Make sure to double-check the medication labels for these warnings. If Diamond goes longer than 24 hours without eating, then I recommend contacting your vet. I hope that helps and Diamond gets better soon.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lily! Removing a few lumps isn't the same as removing the eyes. She could be more painful than you think or is reacting to the pain medication or the antibiotic. I would start to worry 3 days after surgery. Give her time. It's barely been 24 hours after this major surgery. And even if we though she was 100% blind before she may have seen some light and now her world is dark. I have seen dogs we thought were blind have both eyes removed and they were depressed for a while. I wish you and Lily the best!

If she has been like this for more than 24 hours, then it would be best to take her to the vet. She may be reacting negatively to her medication and need treatment to get better. If she is currently on medication, then it's best to stop it at this time until you are able to speak with your veterinarian, or have her seen by a veterinarian. If you have further questions or need further clarification, then you may consider having an online consult with one of our vets on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This way, you can send unlimited pictures and have a text conversation with a vet. I hope that helps and Molly gets better soon.

The incision looks normal. Her behavior is not. I recommend a recheck exam. She could be painful or could have a urinary infection. If the doxycycline is causing a stomach upset they may be able to switch antibiotics. They can put her on pain medication also to make her more comfortable. I recommend feeding wet food with added water in it so she doesn't get dehydrated. Again most dogs are back to normal in a day or two after the surgery so please bring her in for a recheck to make sure there is no complication. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Luna.