My dog hasn't pooped since hernia surgery. When should I be concerned?

Hello, thank you for your question. General anesthesia can decrease overall GI motility. Additionally Peluche was likely fasted before this procedure. I would not be too concerned about the lack of defecation. If he is otherwise eating, drinking, and acting ok it is fine to continue to monitor him. Things should return to normal very soon. Hope this helps, good luck!

I wouldn't be too worried just yet. She would not have been able to eat before her spay due to the anesthesia, so she has no food in her system to poop out. Certain medications can also cause a decrease in pooping. I would not worry about this unless 72 hours go by without her pooping. She should return to normal soon. I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mila. I am sorry to hear about her injuries. Was she placed under anesthesia to clean and treat her wounds? If so, anesthesia can slow down her gastrointestinal tract. It is normal not to defecate for a day or two afterwards. Otherwise, it may be painful for her to hold the position to defecate. I would talk to her veterinarian today to see if her pain medications need to be adjusted or if she just needs more time. I hope this information helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sometimes anesthesia, opioids and other pain medications can bind the stool or slow things down. As long as Russ is still eating, drinking, isn’t vomiting, and isn’t straining the poop should come. If he still doesn’t have a bowel movement by Monday night I’d call your Vet to discuss. I hope this helps and I wish Russ a speedy recovery!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucy. Anesthesia will slow down the gastrointestinal tract and make bowel movements less frequent. Plus she was probably not eating well before surgery due to being ill and most patients are fasted for a bit after surgery. This means there is likely less food in her system to come out. Unless she is straining to defecate, it is typically not worrisome that she is not defecating regularly yet. As far as the drinking, she most likely received IV fluids under anesthesia and while hospitalized. This would have provided her with a large amount of fluids. Now eating the canned food, this is supplying her with moisture as well. As long as she is eating and is acting normally, then I suspect her recovery is going well. If you have any concerns though, I would seek emergency care this weekend just to be sure. I hope this information helps!

It is common for dogs and cats not to pass stool for several days after these types of surgeries - probably due to the drugs used during anesthesia and the lack of food intake before and after the surgery. I usually don't get concerned until 5 days have passed as long as the cat is eating normally, is not vomiting, and is not straining or attempting to defecate. I bet Jones will go in the next couple of days!

Excellent question. Some pets can go 48 hours before they have a bowel movement and this can be completely normal, as long as you don't notice your dog straining to defecate. If you see your pet straining to defecate, that can indicate your pet is constipated, and he should then be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible to relieve this issue. Best of luck with your pet and I hope he goes soon!