Everything I Learned About Spaying: A Soulstice Story
Up until Soulstice’s spay, every pet I have ever had spayed or neutered has gone without any issues. Soulstice's experience was different and I would like to share with you what I have learned from the experience.
What I Have Learned
Soulstice had a sensitivity reaction to anesthesia
The spay procedure has changed
She had a final heat after her spay
Homeopathy helped her recover
She is now doing much better and her body is adjusting to changes
She is her happy self
Our Experience
Soulstice's spay operation was completed without complications. It was in her recovery that she had a sensitivity reaction to the anesthesia that was not typical.
After I picked her up from her day surgery to bring her home, I took her to relieve herself before we got in the car for the 1 hr drive home. I expected she would need to pee, but she did a #2 instead. I noticed she had a normal stool with a little mucus and a slight yellow colour. I knew with seeing the colour change I would continue to monitor her and I simply figured her body was cleansing the medications she had been on. I wasn’t alarmed in any way.
On the 1 hour drive home, she started whining frantically and I had to pull over. I was able to get her out just in time for her to urgently empty her bowels. We were only on the road for 15 minutes before I needed to stop and do it all over again. We were luckily able to make the remainder of the drive without issue however when we arrived home this continued for a few more hours. She was able to settle after about 4 hours and Ceelo lay by her side to keep her company.
Later that evening I noticed she was getting chilled so I put on her sweater. Then a blanket. Then just before bedtime, a heating pad. She seemed tired but content so off to sleep, we went. In the middle of the night, she began vomiting and continued every 90 minutes until finally stopping after her 5th time. I knew I would be calling the clinic when they opened.
As I checked her ears, paws and body, I noticed that the chill she was experiencing before bed had become worse. I started rubbing her and bundled her up more. She was now very lethargic. I began syringing her water to give her fluids a little at a time hoping not to agitate her nausea. It was too early to call the local vet, so I spoke with a friend in Finland who studies homeopathy. She asked me to check Soulstice's tongue and her exhalation breath. Her tongue was pale and I placed my hand in front of her nose, her exhalation was absolute cold air.
I was shocked and my friend said sometimes animals can experience hypothermia-like symptoms after anesthesia. She suggested a homeopathic remedy to help improve Soulstice's circulation. I gave Soulstice the remedy and in the hour I waited for the vet clinic to open, she was beginning to warm up. I continued syringing water in her mouth as she didn't have the energy to get up and drink and gave her the anti-inflammatory the vet had prescribed. I spoke with the vet clinic and began the drive into town. On the drive, Soulstice began to transform before my very eyes from a cold lethargic dog to one who was becoming warm and alert. And, by the time we arrived at the vet, albeit tired, she was now happy, had bright eyes and was even wagging her tail a little.
She had a quick check of her vitals and was given the all good to go and we drove back home. She was starting to be interested in food again. I spread her meal out into several portions throughout the day, as after she ate, she would crash and sleep. The following day her appetite was back and now she was ravenous and making up for the 3 days she didn't eat.
On day 6 of her recovery, I noticed random drops of blood on the floor and I was wondering which of my fur gang had cut their paws? It wasn't until Soulstice got up from laying down did I realize it was her… and it wasn't her paw that was bleeding. She was bleeding from her vulva. I was thoroughly confused and worried about what was going on.
My understanding of a spay is the full removal of the uterus, tubes and ovaries. I called the emergency vet and explained what was going on. He was able to confirm that it was only her ovaries that had been removed and her uterus was still intact. Now knowing she had her uterus, I logically thought with all the hormone changes of the last few months, of being pregnant, having pups, nursing and now being spayed - it made sense to me for her uterine lining to have its final shedding.
Tips I Want To Share
You can always get a second opinion if something doesn't sit right or make sense to you.
I learned of a condition called Ovary Remnant Syndrome (ORS) after the removal of ovaries that can happen to some dogs if any ovary tissue remains in the animal's body- Click Here to learn more. Thankfully this was not the case for Soulstice.
Animals can have reactions to anesthesia - It is now noted in Soulstice's file for the future if she ever needs to have anesthesia again
Animals can experience hypothermia-like symptoms after anesthesia. Click here to learn more
Homeopathy was very helpful (at least in Soulstice’s case). If you are considering using homeopathy with your pet, please consult with a Homeopathic professional.
Spaying a dog who has had puppies too soon can cause a heat-like response.
There are many different spay options- ovary removal, uterus removal, sterilization of tubes, ovary-sparing, I recommend discussing with your vet what is best for your animal and what the long-term effects and benefits are.
Click here if you want to learn more about countering the effects of spaying. Please consult your vet if you have any concerns about the spay procedure.
Soulstice is now feeling better and happy as she adjusts to the changes happening in her body as her hormone levels begin to settle and finds a new sense of balance.
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