Normally, spays are kept overnight, because spaying is a major abdominal surgery, and the dog should really be confined until the next day, the vet checks the incision and approves the dog to be discharged. Some problems can occur like swelling, sutures coming out, dog not responding as expected, high fever, reactions to meds or sutures, etc. They also feed the dog and make sure the dog is walking and peeing okay, and doesn't vomit.
Neuter is a minor surgery, and not as immediately life-threatening if something should go wrong. Neuters are not normally kept overnight, with the exception of a cryptorchid, where only one testicle has descended. Then, if an exploratory is needed to find the elusive testicle, it is then a major abdominal surgery, with similar risks to a spay surgery, and the dog should stay confined overnight.
If the owners are fully aware of the risks involved, most vets won't have a problem sending the dog home, if they feel the owners are attentive and responsible, and fully appreciate the issues that are involved.
If my pet needs an overnight stay, I use a 24 hour hospital, one that is staffed by a tech and a vet throughout the night. |