My dog is in pain after surgery and won't eat. What should I do now?

Unfortunately, there are no human OTC medications that would be safe for a dog that underwent surgery so recently. I would recommend calling your vet to see if they can prescribe something, or have Josie evaluated by an emergency vet. You can try to use an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 15 minutes several times a day, and encourage walking around the house, but no running or jumping.

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.

Unfortunately, there are no safe OTC pain relievers you can give Tuck. Many are toxic to dogs and can fatal if given. He would have received pain relief before he left the hospital, which would be why you were told not to give him the Meloxicam until tomorrow. That being said, however, it's very concerning that he's in a lot of pain. By law, I can't say if it's safe or not for him to have it early, so I would either call the vet who did the surgery to let them know Tuck is in a lot of pain, or I would take him into an ER vet immediately who can prescribe him some safe pain relief.

I’m so sorry to hear about your pup! It sounds as though she could be in pain. I highly recommend seeing your vet to have a good evaluation done (back and neck pain are not always obvious). I would not give anything over the counter for pain until your vet has ruled out abdominal discomfort (aspirin,etc can make stomach conditions worse). Best of luck to you and your dog!

Hi there. It's certainly possible for dogs to have a mild upset stomach for 12-24 hours after an anesthetic episode, but it would be unusual to see this three days later - especially with such severe symptoms. I would recommend having her rechecked by your veterinarian tomorrow morning, or going to the ER tonight if she seems overly distressed or lethargic. It's possible that she could have a stomach ulcer as a result of the Rimadyl (uncommon, but can happen occasionally even with appropriate dosing), or may have some other problem that may or may not be related to her surgery. It sounds like she needs an exam and likely some lab work +/- x-rays to help determine what's going on and see what kind of treatment is needed.

Poor girl. I would definitely recommend taking her in for a recheck appt since she has gone more than 48 hrs without eating at least 1/2 of her food. They need to check her incision area thoroughly for any signs of infection and potentially get her on an appetite stimulant during her recovery process. Until you can get her seen, you can try mixing her food with some beef or chicken broth to try and entice her to eat. I hope that your fur baby Lupita feels better soon! Take care.

He should be rechecked by your vet or at the local veterinary ER today. He may be painful or still feeling the aftereffects of general anesthesia. This can last as long as 72 hours. If his bladder is full, the doctors can insert a urinary catheter if necessary to empty it. Medications can be administered or dispensed to alleviate pain which may make him comfortable. Supportive care can also be administered. SQ fluids may rehydrate him and perk him up.