Labrador whining constantly after neutering today

debtfreeandlovingit_2

Hello,

My 4.5 year old Labrador was neutered this morning. He was picked up at 4pm and we were told that although the op had gone fine he had been whining a lot but that was quite normal. Since he arrived home he has been whining constantly, apart from when he ate his chicken and rice, which he tucked into with gusto.

We have been told that he has had painkillers to last him until tomorrow morning but he still seems to be in pain (or maybe he is just exhausted and grumpy after the op) and no matter how many cuddles he gets he carries on crying. He is obviously exhausted but seems very reluctant to fall asleep, preferring to sway around with his eyes closed.

Is there anything we can do between now and tomorrow morning to ease his distress? Is this normal after an operation like this or should I make an appointment at the vet's tomorrow rather than the day after as advised?

Thanks,

A Labrador Lover

tizerbelle

It's heart-breaking isn't it! Little dog is the same whenever he has had an op with anaesthetic, he whimpers all night. He's quite happy to eat and even go for a little toddle/wobble down the yard - as long as he keeps moving he doesn't fall over - if he stops, he drops.

But the whimpering does wrench your heart. If you are at all concerned, call the emergency vet for advice (they are normally happy to give general advice for concerned owners).

I think it's mainly caused by the effects of the anaesthetic and they are a bit dis-orientated - think what people are liking when they come round from a general. Obviously there will be some discomfort but hopefully that's all it is as he has had pain-killers.

I'm sure he'll be fine but as said if in any doubt, call the emergency vet and/or go back to your own vet tomorrow.

debtfreeandlovingit_2

Thanks Tizerbelle,

That's just about what I wanted to hear. This was his first ever anaesthetic so it's probably mainly the after effects of that rather than the pain/discomfort that's bothering him. I will keep a close eye and ear on him overnight and see how the next dose of painkillers go down in the morning. The vet nurse said she will phone tomorrow, so hopefully all will be well!

Thanks again!

David

meritaten

perhaps he is still feeling confused and disoriented? or is he playing the sympathy card?

hethmar

Poor boy. None of mine ever whined, just slept and then seemed much themselves. It may be his nature but do keep an eye on him. I know that a friends springer got an infection in his wound. May not be your case at all, but worth keeping an eye on. Hope he is better in the morning. xxx

Mupette

aww bless him, how about (if there is room) camping on the sofa with him tonight so he feels safe and secure.

debtfreeandlovingit_2

Thanks all for your advice.

He slept most of the night, only waking up crying at 5:30am. I think I might sleep with him tonight on the sofa. He has just eaten all his chicken and rice breakfast with his painkillers, so hopefully he will start to feel better soon. He is crying less than yesterday and, strangely, he cries more when he is stroked, so he may be playing the sympathy card!

Now I just have to stop him licking his wound and jumping onto the sofa!

staffiecat

If it makes you feel any better I had both of my dogs anaesthetised yesterday, one was spayed and the other needed an x-ray - the one who had the spay has been fine, very quiet but fine. The one who had the x-ray has been crying all night and even this morning !!

I think its mainly the affects of the drugs making them feel unsettled, bless.

Its very good sign that your boy is eating, my one who was spayed has also eaten with gusto so I am very pleased today

adviceforall

Nash had an op last Friday and he cried a lot after we brought him home at 2pm....He too wouldn't sleep until 8/9pm...The nurse called the next morning and said it was normal it was just the effects of the anaesthetic and him being unsettled by the op..
Nash cried more when he wasn't sitting next to me, even if he was being stroked by someone else..

Its horrible when they cry as you presume they are in pain
Hope yours is back to normal now....

elsien

Mutt learned very quickly to go for the sympathy vote by crying.
As she was eating and drinking normally I decided she couldn't be in too much pain and ended up by being very hardhearted and telling her to pack it in, it wouldn't get her anywhere!
If he slept last night most of the night, do you not think it might be a bit of backwards step sleeping on the sofa with him tonight? I can see why you'd want to, but back into routine as soon as possible always works best for us.
Hope he's feeling better soon.

supermezzo

Ours did this too, but refused to sleep at all (very annoying for OH who had 'volunteered' to sleep on the sofa) as he padded about all night and generally moped about, whimpering. They do get over it but if he slept ok on his own last night, I'd leave him to it tonight or he may decide you should always sleep on the sofa with him!
You might find he sleeps a lot better once you re-introduce his 'proper' food as well.