My wife and I are likely adopting a 4 year old toller today. I say "likely" because I'm seeing her for the first time today and there is always a chance she might not work out. But I'm pretty confident that she will. We will have to get her spayed as a requirement from the shelter. Plus, we have an intact male lab. So we're scheduling the operation for later this week. I'm well aware of the pros and cons of neutering, but I don't think we have much of a choice here. However, my questions are...

-What should I expect in the days following her being surgery? -For those who have been through this, how long is the typical recovery?
-Will she be able to walk around?
-Will she have nausea or need to vomit?
-What anesthesia, meds, or procedures should I watch out for?
-What should I expect as far as costs? My vet said around $300, which will cover everything including post checkups.
-Are there any nutrition tips? I was thinking I'd wait to switch her to raw after she has recovered a bit, so not to overwhelm her, but are there any supps that can help her?
-Any tips for discouraging nibbling of the incision? Although I suppose we'll get that cone thing.

I would have asked this sooner, but the shelter just told me yesterday that she was intact... even though I asked last week. I'm sure my vet will be able to give me some good advice, but I'd like to hear from ya'll too. My wife and I are trying to do as much research on it as possible before the surgery. I'm finding a few good things through the search function, but any other help would be appreciated.

 Quote: John Saad

However, my questions are...

-What should I expect in the days following her being surgery? -For those who have been through this, how long is the typical recovery? The vet will give you info re reduced activity, but I think after 10-14 days she should be able to resume normal activity
-Will she be able to walk around? Yes
-Will she have nausea or need to vomit? Maybe (mine did, a little)
-What anesthesia, meds, or procedures should I watch out for? Make sure that they do not want to vaccinate her for anything at the same time as the surgery
-What should I expect as far as costs? My vet said around $300, which will cover everything including post checkups.
-Are there any nutrition tips? I was thinking I'd wait to switch her to raw after she has recovered a bit, so not to overwhelm her, but are there any supps that can help her?
-Any tips for discouraging nibbling of the incision? Although I suppose we'll get that cone thing. You'll get a cone, which should eliminate the nibbling.
The most important thing )IMO) is no jumping or running for the first week or so after the spay. It's the internal stitches that take longer to heal, so even if the dog is feeling frisky, keep her on a leash when outside so that she can't run.

I would have asked this sooner, but the shelter just told me yesterday that she was intact... even though I asked last week. I'm sure my vet will be able to give me some good advice, but I'd like to hear from ya'll too. My wife and I are trying to do as much research on it as possible before the surgery. I'm finding a few good things through the search function, but any other help would be appreciated.

PS post a pic when you get her!

In my experience, neither spay nor neuter surgeries are that big of a deal. They are usually a little bit groggy from the anesthesia when you pick them up from the vet's office. The vet will likely advise that you keep her quiet for a few days (leashed walks, no running or jumping, etc.)--this is usually the hardest part, because by the next morning she will likely be back to normal-acting and want to do more than she should. Resume her normal diet the next morning. Crating her for a few days post surgery would be a good idea.

Mine never wore or needed those cone collars. I've never had any problem with the incision site--just check it every day to make sure it is clean, closed, and not too angry-looking. Otherwise, don't fool with it. No need for anything topical on it, IMO. They will shave a considerable area around the incision site. It'll take a while for the hair to grow back.

$300 sounds about right. I believe that included some pre-anesthesia bloodwork, and a few days of pain meds afterwards. Stitches come out a week after surgery, if memory serves. And then she can resume full activity. I'd wait til then to make a diet switch. No need for two stresses in the same week.

Good luck. She'll do fine.

Best wishes John with the adoption! How exciting, I would love to see pictures of her when you get her. Lynne and Tracy gave you excellent advice.
Let us know when you get her! If you did get that Vetericyn, that would be a good thing to help her heal fast with no complications.
It will not sting, I love that stuff, works miracles for healing!
I never had a cone for my female when we had her spayed and she was just fine. I did keep a constant eye on her though.

How's your lab's foot coming along?

I was told to keep my dog quiet for 10 days and after the 10 days to come back for a re-check. She was quiet on her own for the first two days with no nausea or vomiting just alot of sleeping.

We went for slow, short walks numerous times a day for the first few days and then faster and longer walks after that. Absolutely no running around was allowed so I kept her on leash or in her crate in the house.

She did not have stitches; they used glue instead and everything healed fine. Didn't need to use a cone as she never bother the incision. After the 10 days back to normal activities with no problems at all.

She didn't want to eat much the first two days but after that eating was back to normal. I made sure I kept her well hydrated with ice cubes as she didn't seem to want to drink much water.

The pricing sounds about right. My dog cost me $285 and she was almost 90 lbs when she was done.

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

Best wishes John with the adoption! How exciting, I would love to see pictures of her when you get her. Lynne and Tracy gave you excellent advice.
Let us know when you get her! If you did get that Vetericyn, that would be a good thing to help her heal fast with no complications.
It will not sting, I love that stuff, works miracles for healing!
I never had a cone for my female when we had her spayed and she was just fine. I did keep a constant eye on her though.

How's your lab's foot coming along?

I did the get the Vetericyn, so I'm sure I'll be using it.

I'll update that other thread, but his foot is looking good. Thanks!

Thanks everyone else for the replies. It sounds like this should be a pretty easy procedure. I'll keep ya'll posted.

Good to hear John! Can't wait to hear about the new adoptee!

I don't know the percentages but incontinence is one negative to spaying.
Aggression in the female as she gets older is another.
Again, I don't know in what percentages these happen.