My dog is spacey and whining after surgery. Should I console him?

It’s common for dogs to whine following a surgery and anesthesia - it’s possible that your puppy is still recovering from he drugs or that he is a little painful. If he seems very painful you could have him examined by a veterinarian. It is normal to use a cone following surgery to prevent dogs from damaging their incisions - you should keep it on at all times.

Since she is taking carprofen she should not be in severe pain. She is probably upset because she has to wear the cone. I am afraid you have to bear it out as she will try to "whine you into submission" ie hopes you will take the cone away. The whining should stop within two or three days. If she keeps whining for longer and you think something is wrong with her or if she gets pale mucous membranes, cannot urinate or stops eating you should take her back to the vet for a recheck,

Hello! In all likelihood, Bruce is annoyed by the cone and not actually hurting. Make sure that you can fit two fingers snugly between the cone and his neck- this will ensure that it is not on too tightly. Many cones fit into collars, and this may make it more comfortable for him. If the cone is not on too tightly and there are no sharp edges poking into his skin, it should be comfortable. However, it is a strange and new experience for Bruce to have "tunnel vision" and he may bump the side of the cone into walls, tables, your shins, etc. :) Some dogs are okay with the cone when they are relaxing, but do much better at eating and toileting with the cone off. My own dog refuses to urinate if he is wearing a cone, so I take it off to walk him when he needs to wear one. If he is truly distressed about wearing the cone, you can call your vet and ask them for a mild anti-anxiety drug for him to take while he wears the cone and heals. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Poor Douglas! This sounds like a difficult surgical recovery. It sounds as though Douglas had not fully recovered from anesthesia at the time of his discharge. It is possible that the reaction that you saw was an excitement reaction from some of the sedative or pain medications he was given at the time of surgery. While this is not a normal reaction, it is also not uncommon to see a brief period of excitement after certain medications. Confirm that Douglas was sent home with some anti-inflammatory pain medications and be sure to find out when his next dose of pain medication is due, as he could be whimpering as a sign of pain. Otherwise, continue to keep him in the crate until he is able to stand and walk normally, and generally restrict his activity until his sutures are removed. Make sure that he is wearing an e-collar (cone) for the next 10-14 days to prevent him from licking at the incision. I hope that the rest of his recovery is uneventful!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Vinnie! Each dog and cat reacts differently to sedation and anesthesia. They feel goofy or strange and can react by pacing and panting. Since Vinnie is a large breed dog be sure that his belly isn't bloated. If he is trying to vomit then I would immediately take him to an emergency Vet. He could also be uncomfortable, if he is due for pain medications then I would give it to him. Try taking him for a quick walk outside then see if you can help him settle down in his bed. See if laying with or next to him helps his settle and sleep. His incision looks fine. If this continues then call your Vet when they open to discuss. I hope this helps and I wish Vinnie a speedy recovery!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The best way to determine if crying is wanting out vs. pain is to go get her out and bring her for a very short/controlled walk. If she is happy, exploring, moving well, and doesn't cry when you put gentle pressure on the areas of her surgery, then it is likely that she is just wanting out. Also, if she is eating/pooping/peeing well this is a good sign. Signs of pain including not wanting to move, crying when you touch the surgery site, not eating, shaking/trembling, growling/crying/biting when you go to touch her abdomen, not wanting to walk/explore, not looking happy when you go see her. If you are still unsure you can bring her to a vet to assess if she is painful or not. Best of luck with Gizmo.

Some dogs react to opioids with whining or crying. While this can be upsetting or a nuisance, it is nothing to worry about. It is not a sign of pain. You may want to put him in a quiet dark room so he can calm down and possibly sleep it off. I hope the vet gave you an NSAID or another pain medicine to follow with.