My dog was spayed a week and a half ago and is not trying to drink water

I'm really worried about my dog, Bella. She was spayed about a week and a half ago, and everything seemed to be going well at first. She was resting and healing just fine, but for the past couple of days, she hasn't been interested in drinking water. She's normally really good about staying hydrated, so this is unusual for her. I've tried everything I can think of to encourage her to drink—fresh water, ice cubes, even flavored water—but she just sniffs and turns away. Her energy levels seem a bit down, and I'm starting to panic. Has anyone else experienced this after a spay? I'm not sure if it's related to the surgery or if something else might be going on. Any advice or similar experiences would be really helpful right now. Thanks in advance!

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Answer

Thanks for reaching out with your concern. It’s important to monitor your dog closely after her spay surgery, and I’m glad you’re keeping an eye on her well-being. A decreased thirst can have several causes. It might be related to her recent surgery as she’s still recovering, or she might be feeling a bit under the weather due to mild discomfort or stress.



To encourage her to drink more water, you can try offering her ice cubes to lick, which some dogs find appealing. You could also add a little low-sodium chicken broth to her water for added flavor, or even moisten her kibble with water to increase her fluid intake subtly.



However, it’s essential to watch for signs that might indicate a more serious issue, such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen or warm incision site, or if she seems to be in significant pain. These could be indicators that she needs veterinary attention sooner rather than later.



Given the circumstances, I’d recommend scheduling a video consult with one of our vets here at Dial A Vet. They can evaluate her condition more thoroughly and give you tailored advice to ensure she gets the best care.

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