My 9 month old Rottweiler got spayed today and is refusing to drink water or eat out of her bowl. She does however seem to eat her wet food out of my hand. I even put the food up to her mouth, but she just won't eat out of her bowl or drink water. I don't know whether or not to continue hand feeding her or wait for her to eat on her own. I'm worried if I continue she will refuse to eat on her own while she has her cone or after. I don't want it to be a habit. What should I do? Will she eventually eat and drink on her own? How long should I leave it for?
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It may not just be the cone that is bothering her. When an animal is put under for surgery, the anesthetic -by needle or by gas- can cause strange feelings that may last a day or two. Plus, if the vet used a cone over the dog's mouth to administer the gas, they usually tie the cone and/or tube with strips of gauze around the muzzle of the dog. Any of this could give the dog a sore mouth for a few days. If you feed dry kibble, try adding a little water or broth to soften it, to see if the dog will eat it then. I would see how things are in a day or two, and then if the dog is still not eating, call the vet and tell them the dog isn't eating. Good luck, and thanks for being a responsible pet owner and getting your dog spayed.
Normally after a dog has had surgery the vet that I go to recommends that we do not give them anything to eat or drink until later that night. If the dog has been sprayed it can take a little bit of time for them to eat again. Especially if they have put a cone on them so they don't remove the stitches. It is a bit more difficult for them to adjust to the cone and should be fine within a day or two.
Often after spaying a dog she will have no appetite for the first 12 - 24 hours. Often it is from the anesthesia and pain. She will be back to her old self soon. Follow all Vet's advice, and contact if you do not feel good about any changes. Here is more info about this - assisianimalhealth.com/
I do not think it is unusual for her to not want to eat hard food 24 hours after surgery but just be sure you are giving her healthy wet food and nothing from the table.
From a vet site:
"Dogs have the same reaction to coming out of anesthesia as humans. Every dog, like every person, is different - some will want to sleep, some want to be near their humans, some want to be left alone. Some may cry and others may seem to feel just fine. A common side-effect after surgery is not wanting to eat."
Most vets say to try and get them to drink water but it may be difficult while she is wearing the cone. Pets usually act entirely different while wearing this unknown uncomfortable thing around their neck and some just refuse to hardly move.
You cannot tell if she is in some pain but if there are problems after 24 hours then I think you should call your vet and let them advise you.
Water is more important than food right now and be sure to let the vet know if she has diarrhea or is vomiting.
www.aspca.org/
How is the pup doing? If she is still not eating or drinking, I would call the vet. They can go a few days without eating, but hydration is critical to helping her heal. Post back with an update! Prayers for healing!
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