My lovely girl is booked in to be spayed on the 14th Sept after two years of trying to get her in just the right state for operating, due to prolonged phantom pregnancies. This last one has taken two bottles of Galastop (£18 each time and I managed to throw half of the second bottle away (long story, but if I say, needed a bottle to take a sample to hospital and picked wrong bottle up!!!!, realised half way through chucking contents down the sink) Had to buy bottle number three!! All that hopefully behind her now, poor girl.
What I wondered was, is there anything I can do to help her get through the op and post op so minimise any problems. I was wondering about giving her manouka honey cos that is supposed to build up resistance to infection, I believe? Any tips you can give would be greatly appreciated.
(am in pieces already but I know its for the best)

I routinely spay my girls once they are past the breeding stage. The only problem I've had is to try to keep them quiet One even escaped from the house, ran down the 150 foot garden, jumped the gate at the bottom of the garden, ran round the park before jumping back over the gate and into the house. This was the day after the op Needless to say she was caged after that until the stitches came out

Your girl will be groggy for the first few hours (up to 24 I find) and then will want to be treated as normal, on the whole. Of course, there will be an exception to this. Keep the wound clean, but don't mollicoddle her.

> The only problem I've had is to try to keep them quiet

I had one spayed last week exactly the same.  I've almost had to nail her feet to the ground!  Vet said keep her quiet, and only lead exercise for 10 days.  No good telling me TELL HER!!!!

My TT was spayed about 5 months and was a bit of a wimp compared to any other bitch i've had done. she needed extra pain killers and cried a lot and didn't want to run round or walk much for a few days but saying that she soon was back to normal.
usually you get the opposite problem of them wanting to run round after the first day or so.
My TT was a bit moody for a couple of days with my other dogs, so just keep an eye on her in case she tells your other dogs to leave her alone. apart from that i'd just make sure she's got a quiet place to sleep where she can get away from the others and don't worry is she's a bit off colour for a couple of days,as long as she's drinking. i took the water and food to my dogs bed and hand fed her a little to make sure she ate something. i also took her out to the toilet on the lead as she didn't want to go out but also because when she felt a bit better it stopped her running round.
try not to worry, dogs deal with things like this so much better than us and even if she's feeling sorry for herself for a few days she'll soon be back to normal and hopefully you want have anymore of her other problems again.      

Thank-you all. Sounds good. Will definitely have to keep her separate as my girls move around like a doggy cloud. floating around as one. (On a very windy day lol) Wondered about picking her up from the vet. Will she have to be lifted into the car? Will take son with me if so!

yes she will need lifting into the car, no jumping or running around until the stitches come out.

Thought so. Stupid question really. Thanks all.

Of course you will need to tell her NOT to jump in the car !  Treacle (Gordon ) tried to do exactly that then wanted to jump out at the other end too - she was literally staggering around our living room as she would not give in and lie down (I'm sure she has ADHD!!). Bramble (bernese) on the other hand was out of it for a good 12 -18 hours after getting home from the vet but she is a bit of a wuss at the best of times

When my  bitch ( now at RB ) was spayed she was walking around with other dogs behind the reception desk when i went to pick her up !!
Lifted her in and out of the car though , and she had a good sleep that night . Other than that she was no different .

I've never bred from any of my girls but when my older ones were spayed some 9 odd years ago we had all of the 'keep them quiet not too much exercise advice' it's hard to tell a dog that they are not allowed to run and jump

I had two girls spayed at the same time and being different breeds I was surprised at the different reactions to surgery.

The BC walked out in full control of herself and looked as bright a button, the GR was wobbly and dull eyed.

I was lucky about stitches as they didn't have any, my vet did sub-cutaneous stitching so there was nothing to nibble at or remove.

Both girls were kept quiet and lead exercised but even so the GR developed a fluid sack which needed syringing away. They both recovered well.

Just keep the activity level low and you should be ok

I feel much more positive about it all now. Best thing for her. Keeping her from jumping on the furniture will be the hardest thing so will try to persuade her to stay in her bed in my bedroom. She will get peace and quiet there too, if she needs it.

I always give my dogs Arnica for a week before the op - 2 tablets 3 times per day and the same for one week after (helps with bruising and anxiousness after an op).  Once home from the op you can give Belladonna - again 2 tablets 3 times per day for 5 days, this helps with pain relief.

When using homeopathic remedies my dogs have always been more settled and recovered very well.

Thanks Staff. Will I get these from local health food shops???

Yes I sometimes get them from my local chemist or health food shop in town so you should find them easily.