Priscilla is getting spayed next Tuesday!
 

What should I expect? What questions should I ask

Are they going to do bloodwork before the spay I really reccomend that it lets them know if her organs can handle anesteshia. What type of anesteshia are they using? How long do you have to keep her calm and not jumping? How long before you can bathe her? Are they going to give her pain meds to take home?

Yes, as mentioned above, please have them do the pre-op blood work. What to expect? During the spay, you will be nervous so keep busy.

After the spay, she will need to not rough house play, run, jump for 10 days to 2 weeks (based on your vet's advice). Keep the stitches clean but dry.

What I recommend you have on hand (what I needed):
Pedialyte (clear),
a medicine syringe or dropper,
chicken broth,
an infant onsie (depending on her size..some need a preemie size so if that is the case, go shopping now..they don't have that size everywhere)..OR - what I used - a tshirt,
mineral oil, canned pumpkin, and - if she likes these things - carrots and green beans.

Why these items? Well at first - that first night - Mandie wouldn't eat or drink on her own so I used the syringe and pedialyte to give her some drink and I drizzled chicken broth (not a lot..just drizzle) on her kibble. I hand fed her pieces the first night.

By the 2nd day, she was eating and drinking on her own but would only eat with the chicken broth drizzled.

Then, from the meds and being sore, she got constipated and wouldn't poop. Poor girl was shaking when she tried to poop :( So, I would pre-empt that with what I know now by trying to get her to eat some fiber (carrots and green beans). IF your girl still gets constipated, drizzle a little mineral oil on some of her food (maybe a little mixed with a 1/2 tablespoon of pumpkin...that's what I would do). AND, you can even rub some of the mineral oil on her bum to "help" the poo come out better.

Onsie or tshirt will help keep her from messing with the stitches. :)

If they want to keep her over night ask if anyone will be there is there wont be then don't leave her over night. Also make sure you do the pre surgery blood work it is extremely important.

Ask if they will let her come home after the surgery, how often to give pain medicine, and how much. When she should stop eating and drinking before the surgery, if they will feed her after she wakes up. If she potty's outside, keep her in a harness and a short leash so she isn't running around. The quieter she is, the better. I had to alter a onesie to fit mine, it isn't too bad to hand stitch a fold in one. I think a T-shirt that covers her belly would be good too. Watch her, make sure she eats and drinks. Oh, and even with the onesie on, I still caught her trying to lick the stitches. I think as they healed they itched.

Mandiesmom has great advice on feeding and pooping. :) Be ready to hand feed if she won't eat. Canned pumpkin- the plain non spiced type is the kind to feed her. I add a tiny bit of karo to mine for flavor- LOL! I also add a bit (1/2 teaspoon) of karo to her full water dish, we've had low blood sugar though. :) A can of wet canned food that if you need to feed that. You can thin with water and syringe into her. I'd ask the vet for a syringe before you take her home, they should have them and show you what to do to feed her with them. ( they should have a can or 2 of food to use too).

Hope she has a easy time with her surgery and recovery. Keep us posted on how she does, and how you're doing while she's there. I think I stayed on YT and read stuff while I waited for my call from the vet saying mine was ready to come home. :)