My puppy won't eat or drink 5 days after spay surgery. What to do?

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.

It can be normal to vomit once or twice in the 24 hours following anesthesia but I wouldn't expect Sadie to be experiencing side effects from anesthesia at this point. I would recommend having your veterinarian examine her if the vomiting and decreased appetite continue: it may or may not be related to her recent surgery. If she is on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication like carprofen or meloxicam it would be best to discontinue the medication since these can sometimes cause stomach upset - your vet can prescribe a different pain medication if necessary.

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!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. No, this is not normal. I recommend having her seen by her veterinarian today. It is best to determine why she is vomiting and refusing food. From there, proper treatment can be started. I worry that she will become dehydrated if she is not already. In this case, she will needs fluids to help her feel better. Good luck!

This is not a good sign, she might be suffering from an infection, you need to take her back to the vet clinic who performed the surgery so they can check her and supply you medications and treatment for Hutchi.

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.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Skye. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian today. It doesn't sound like she is doing well after her surgery. I worry that she will become dehydrated from not eating properly. She may requires some fluids under her skin to help rehydrate her. Additional pain medication may also need to be prescribed. If she is nauseous and this is affecting her appetite, anti-nausea medication can be given. The initial doses of her antibiotics can be given by injection to get those medications started. Once she is feeling better, then it should be easier to give her these medications. In the meantime, do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hoep this information helps!