Why Is My Dog Having Accidents After Being Spayed?

I was shocked when my dog suddenly started leaving pee stains all over. I asked my vet: “why is my dog having accidents after being spayed?”. Here is what she answered.

My German Shepherd pup Fluffy is completely housetrained and never has accidents in my home. But ever since she got spayed, she started peeing frequently, sometimes after every half hour. I was worried and talked asked my vet why is my dog having accidents after being spayed. She told me that there could be many possible reasons, and to bring her in for a checkup.

For example, my vet said that Fluffy may have pain in the genital area, which causes her to pee more frequently. More worryingly, she may have contracted a urinary tract infection after the surgery, which is causing the excess peeing and pooping.

If you are facing a similar situation with your pup, read on and find out why this happens and what you can do about it?

How Long After Drinking Water Do Dogs Pee?

This depends a lot on the size of the dog and how old it is. 

If you have a puppy, it will pee about fifteen minutes after drinking water. A puppy can control its bladder for one hour each month of age. For instance, if you have a two-month-old puppy, she will pee every two hours.

If you have an adult dog it can control its bladder for nearly eight hours. However, it depends on the age, sex, breed, and size of your canine. Senior dogs can hold urine for almost 4-6 hours. However, if they have a medical condition, they will pee more frequently.

Why Is My Dog Having Accidents After Being Neutered?

#1. Your Dog May Be In Pain

Your dog may be weak if she has returned home after spaying. Many veterinary doctors prefer to keep the spayed dogs overnight to inspect or monitor the dog from time to time. 

Additionally, the dog will be more alert and awake in the morning, and you can take your her home without any worry.

However, some veterinary doctors may send your spayed dog home within a few hours after surgery. Your pup is very weak at that time. She may even find it difficult to walk. 

You may find a wet spot where your dog lays after bringing her home, because she is not able to hold her urine due to the pain. The pain is temporary, and the issue is resolved within a few days after taking medications.

#2. Your Dog Drank Lot Of IVF Fluids

Your pup might have been given IVF fluids before the surgery, which is why she is peeing a lot more immediately afterwards, causing accidents all over the house.

#3. Urinary Tract Infection

Your female dog may develop Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence(USMI) after neutering. The cause of incontinence is reduced estrogen levels after removing the ovary during spaying. 

The dog will not have control over her bladder, and will wet the spot where she lays. 

Interestingly, male dogs can also have USMI after neutering. Neutering removes male testicles, which also reduces the hormone testosterone. USMI can develop in male dogs because of a reduction in testosterone level. But the percentage is more common in females compared to male dogs.

It is predicted that 5-20 percent of neutered dogs suffer from Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence. Moreover, if your dog’s weight is 45 pounds or above, she is more likely to suffer from incontinence problems. The incontinence problem can have other side effects like skin infection or urinary tract infection.

Dogs who are not spayed rarely develop incontinence problems. This gives credence to some dog owners who advocate against neutering or spaying. However, we must remember that every surgical procedure has some advantages and disadvantages. 

The benefits of spaying and neutering are that it reduces the risk of testicular or ovarian cancer and helps reduce the problem of overpopulation. But the disadvantage is that your dog may develop incontinence problems after these procedures for a few days.

If you find your dog peeing more frequently ten to fifteen days after surgery, then better consult your veterinary doctor. The doctor may prescribe some oral antibiotics to resolve the issue.

#4.Stones In Bladder

If your dog has stones in the urinary bladder, then your dog will frequently pee at home after being spayed.

#5. Sex Hormones

Sex hormones regulate several body functions in the body of your canine friend. But after surgical procedure, there is a sudden reduction in testosterone level in male dogs and a decrease in estrogen levels in female dogs. 

The decline in sex hormones relaxes the muscles which hold the urine in your canine. So your furry friend may urinate where she lays or pee here and there at your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Few Final Words

Neutering or spaying causes several changes in the body of your dog. You may even find several changes in your dog’s personality. For instance, the removal of sex hormones can make your dog happier, calmer and more agreeable. 

The dog will have stitches in the genital area, which you need to monitor from time to time. It may be the reason for peeing where she lays down. But you don’t have to worry about it. The problem is temporary and will be resolved within a few days.

But if you find your dog is still peeing where she lays down even after several weeks of surgery, then consult a veterinary doctor. 

Thank you for reading this article, we hope we were able to answer most of your queries. If not, the comments section is waiting for more of your questions!

Dog owners have hundreds of questions about spaying or neutering. You might also like to read: How Soon After Spay Can I Bathe My Dog? And Will Dogs Nipples Shrink After Spay?