Why is my spayed puppy lethargic and not eating after treatment?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If she was bright and happy, and is now lethargic again, one concern is an infection within the abdomen. This is rare after a spay but can happen as a potential complication of any abdominal surgery. I recommend you have Molly back to your vet ASAP, or to an emergency clinic if your vet is closed. They will check her abdomen with an ultrasound to see if any free fluid is present, and will test this fluid if present. They might also do a blood test to look at her white and red blood cell levels. It might just be that Molly needs more pain medications, however we must rule out a 'peritonitis' (infection in the abdominal cavity) first. Best of luck with Molly, I hope she feels better soon!

The incision looks normal. Her behavior is not. I recommend a recheck exam. She could be painful or could have a urinary infection. If the doxycycline is causing a stomach upset they may be able to switch antibiotics. They can put her on pain medication also to make her more comfortable. I recommend feeding wet food with added water in it so she doesn't get dehydrated. Again most dogs are back to normal in a day or two after the surgery so please bring her in for a recheck to make sure there is no complication. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Luna.

It's difficult to tell what's happening with her, but your description of the spay site is definitely abnormal. The presence of swelling and cysts at the spay site are suspicious of infection, or herniation. In both cases it would cause her to be less active and a loss of appetite. I'm not sure what the Tylan powder is being used for, because this is a very specific antibiotic that is not commonly used. I do not see a condition mentioned that would be helped by giving Tylan powder. However, if your vet prescribed it, then I believe there would be good reason. If a vet did not prescribe it, then it's best not to give it to her. It's good that you are taking her to the vet tomorrow. I don't see anything that warrants an emergency, but it's best to have her seen by a vet soon. The vet will be able to tell much more about her condition than I am able to at this time. I hope that helps and Lia gets better soon.

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!

If she has been like this for more than 24 hours, then it would be best to take her to the vet. She may be reacting negatively to her medication and need treatment to get better. If she is currently on medication, then it's best to stop it at this time until you are able to speak with your veterinarian, or have her seen by a veterinarian. If you have further questions or need further clarification, then you may consider having an online consult with one of our vets on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This way, you can send unlimited pictures and have a text conversation with a vet. I hope that helps and Molly gets better soon.

This sounds like she is getting an ear infection, or has something stuck in her ear or mouth. It also could be from insect or ant bites on her face. It doesn't seem related to the surgery from her symptoms. Check her over carefully. Look at her face, the fur, check inside her mouth and in her ears to see if you can fine a cause for the face rubbing and head shaking. If her ears are hot, red and painful, or they have some discharge in them then she should have them checked and treated by your veterinarian. Please try to stop the rubbing as she can get skin sores or a hot spot if she rubs too hard. Use a cone on her if needed to stop the scratching. If this worsens and you can't find the reason please bring Emmy back for a recheck. They can give medication if needed to stop the rubbing and they should be able to diagnose the problem and treat it also. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Emmy.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Lena needs to have an examination by a veterinarian as soon as you can to ensure the incision remains closed. In the picture, it appears there is some inflammation next to the incision. This is likely due to irritation to the area, and she may be licking at the incision and making the inflammation worst. If she is licking it, it could even cause infection or make an existing infection worse. I would recommend an Elizabethan collar to be fitted on Lena to make sure she is not able to lick the area until fully healed. The lack of appetite is very concerning which makes her case in more urgent need of attention by a veterinarian. It may be nothing serious yet, but it is better to get on top of these things early to keep them from becoming a larger issue. Hope this helps and that Lena gets better!