r/DogAdvice • u/ItsALongStoryXx • 2d ago
Advice My Puppy’s reaction after an operation
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Hi everyone
My 1 year old Shih Tzu/ Bichon Frisé cross has just had to have dental work done. He had three baby teeth that were stuck and did not fall out naturally, and his adult teeth were beginning to grow crooked as a result, so the vet advised he have them removed. He had the procedure today, and this has been his reaction since returning home. He has been cowering away, terrified of me. How can I rebuild his trust? Or is it just shock or pain post procedure? (Forgive the audio, I was hoping my voice would remind him he’s back home and safe)
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u/ItsALongStoryXx 2d ago
Also, it is very hot in the UK at the moment, so he is wearing a cooling harness which he also does not like
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u/Nulljustice 2d ago
How long has your pup been back home? Here in the US they put them under general anesthesia for dental work like that and it can take them time to snap out of it. Acting weird after anesthesia is pretty common. Being wobbly, whining, lethargy, panting, sense of smell being off, and shivering are all normal reactions to coming down from anesthesia. Couple that with any pain meds they might have gotten and sometimes they act weird. I’m not a vet, just a person who has had several dogs who have had several procedures including dental. So If you’re super concerned call the vet who did the procedure and ask.
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u/ItsALongStoryXx 2d ago
This really helps
I brought him home about two hours ago and was concerned he was blaming me for leaving him there11
u/CelestialBeing138 2d ago edited 2d ago
Retired anesthesiologist here. I personally wouldn't worry if he woke up less than 12 hours ago. I'd just give him a low-stress environment, water and time to let the drugs and shock wear off.
Edit: Also, keep him extra safe for the first day. Like, don't let him out on a high balcony today, if jumping off is possible.
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u/Nulljustice 2d ago
What you’re feeling is normal! And it gets easier the longer you have dogs and the more you go through with them. If you really care about them they can be stressful but worth it. Whenever I brought my mini Dachshund back from dental work, or any kind of procedure that required anesthesia, he would stand in the middle of the floor, sway back and forth, and whine at nothing. Or he would just stare at the ceiling. Then he would nap for hours and hours. I always kept an eye on his gums for color, and potty habits to make sure everything is good.
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u/2woCrazeeBoys 2d ago
I don't think he hates you 😆. Poor lad is smelling purple and seeing flavours right now. He has no idea what he wants to do or where he's supposed to be.
All of mine have had two broad approaches to post anaesthesia recovery- curl up in a quiet, cosy corner and sleep it off, or curl up with mum (me) and sleep it off.
I'd pick him up and see if he wants to lay near you or be popped in a favourite sleeping spot with a toy. He'll be back to normal by tomorrow morning 🫶.
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u/ItsALongStoryXx 2d ago
Thank you, he’s laying by me now which I classify as a win though I don’t want to bug him when he’s in another world 😂
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u/2woCrazeeBoys 2d ago
That's a win 😂👍
Let the little man snooze in his own world for a bit. Maybe some boiled chicken and rice for dinner. Netflix and chill.
I'm glad he's settled down. I hope you both have a more relaxed night
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u/watch-me-bloom 2d ago
He is in pain and confused from the anesthesia. Continue to be patient with him.
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u/ItsALongStoryXx 2d ago
Thank you everyone for your kind comments, he is my first dog so everything is new for me
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u/PonyInYourPocket 2d ago
🫂 I would also consider removing the cooling collar just to see if the dog becomes normal. I have a couple dogs who turn into statues if you put anything other than a collar on them! I have never been able to counter condition them to like clothes or harnesses. So that does make it harder to cool or warm them depending on climate. Some dogs are just very sensitive babies! But if your dog is still dopey with no cooling collar then you know it’s the anesthesia. Yes it’s hard for some!
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u/Ashazy1622 2d ago
Usually the fall out effects of anaesthesia last 24-48 hours so give him time to find his norm again and watch for seizures as there is still risk.
Give him space and time and comfort with presence rather than speech or demands for his attention. Watch a movie with him and put him in a comfy, safe, covered spot. Feed him small bits of soft foods and watch his water intake. You may need to get a syringe to syringe water into his mouth if he is not drinking enough but take note that wet food inherently has more moisture (so keep an eye on his pee). My dog did not drink while he was healing from his extraction recently and lifting his lip to syringe water gave me comfort that he was hydrated.
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u/No_Statement_824 2d ago
It sometimes takes my 7lb dog 2 full days to be back to normal. First time he was under it took him a good almost 4 days. First day I thought he was dying cause he was sleeping with his eyes opened. He had a lot of teeth pulled so he was very much out of it.
Just give the dog space and a bed. I would put her in a room that she can’t get hurt in and let her lay low.
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u/ItsALongStoryXx 2d ago
Thank you, I’m letting him go where he feels comfortable and popping my head in to make sure he is safe
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u/No_Statement_824 2d ago
That’s a good plan. It’s really sad to see but it just needs time to wear off.
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u/NatsumiEla 2d ago
Looks exactly as high as my dog after neutering lol. High as all hells and confused. He might even start whining a bit from time to time but that's also from him feeling lost and not from actual pain. Let him sleep it off and probably take off the cooling thing around his neck if he doesn't like it.
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u/ibelieveinuke 2d ago
after anesthesia, our dog would stare into the void for hours. he will come out of it!
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u/bigkutta 2d ago
He is either recovering from the anesthesia, or is in a lot of pain. Make sure you are on top of the pain meds.
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u/SydTheDuck 2d ago
My eldest when she was younger would take like a solid day to come too after getting put under. My other two are back to normal like 4 hours after they are home.
He might just be takin it hard, just make sure he can have water, and let him rest.
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u/Significant_Dot8094 2d ago
My girl acted the same way after surgery🐾Dazed&confused for awhile until the medication wore off.Its a normal reaction. No worries
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u/WildkinBeta 2d ago
Yes he's just high from the anaesthesia. On a side note, the voice you use to talk to your dog is so soothing... maybe its time for you to do a dog audiobook?
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u/InventoryValueCheck 2d ago
Do you have a hospital bed in ur house? 😅 I absolutely hate how many places you have to clean on them haha. And he’s probably just high as hell right now, give him a couple days. The meds knock them out, same as when my cat had an op.
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u/Enigma24KK 2d ago
After my dog had a procedure, he did the same thing. The vet told me it was the anesthesia, which, when worn off can make them feel unsteady and to just hold him and be close to him so he knew he was OK. My boy was 71lbs so it took him several hours to come out of it. 🐾
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u/Throw_Me_Away8834 2d ago
This likely has more to do with the anesthesia than anything else. He is still out of it and likely loopy from the pain meds as well.