Iris Gets Spayed

After all the puppies were adopted we kept Iris for another month.  Most female dogs are spayed at the age of 6 months before their first heat, but in Iris' case we waited 2 weeks after the puppies left for her milk to completely dry up in their absence before she was spayed. At Iris' age she is considered a mature spay and the surgery although relatively the same as a regular spay, can sometimes be a little more invasive or complex do to the age and size of the dog.  

Iris before and after spay.

The pink rap around her leg is the bandage covering her IV line and the purple and yellow bandage around her belly is extra support pressure for the time right after the surgery is complete.

Iris was a huge Drama Queen before and after her surgery.  As a Kennel Care worker at the vet part of my job is to restrain animals while the vet technicians place the catheters into the patient before they are put under Anastasia.  Most animals after given their pre-meds are more sedated and can be easily restrained for this process.  Iris fell in to the smaller category of difficult animals whom make it a challenge to prep for surgery.  I had to get up on top of the surgery table to use my full body to restrain Iris as she refused to stay still or lay down.

Her surgery preformed by Dr. Carolyn Martin went beautifully, and I was able to watch the whole thing as I do most surgeries.

When we got home Iris was completely spoiled by the whole family.  She was given excessive treats and belly rubs and was even allowed to sneak onto the couch with my brother.

Through the days she wore a loose t-shirt to prevent her from licking at her incision, and at night she slept on my bed so I could keep a closer watch on her.  She loved hanging out in my room.