Woman Adopts 8-Week-Old Puppy Neutered Hour Earlier: ‘Wouldn’t Stop Crying’

A recent TikTok video that capture’s a dog’s post-neutering pain has broken hearts across the internet, while also sparking a conversation on how owner’s can support their pets after they get neutered.

The viral video, which has been viewed more than 2.2 million times since it was shared to the social media platform on March 1 by TikTok user @bellaamariev, filmed the dog’s glassy eyes and worn out expression as he played with toys after being welcomed home by his new owner.

“When I adopted an 8-week-old pup who had just gotten neutered an hour before,” @bellaamariev wrote. “This was two months ago but his eyes were so glassy and he wouldn’t stop crying.”

Under the video, @bellaamariev shared that her new puppy is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Newsweek reached out to @bellaamariev for more information via TikTok.

How to Care for Your Dog After They Get Neutered

Neutering, sometimes also known as castration, is the common term that is used to describe the surgical procedure that can make male cats and dogs infertile, therefore unable to reproduce.

The procedure sees both testicles of the canine or feline removed, and is always performed by a veterinarian.

The Animal Humane Society (AHS) says that owners should pay extra attention to their pets in the days that follow their neutering, to ensure that they feel comfortable and that their body can properly heal.

“Allow your pet to recover in a quiet, safe place indoors. Be aware that your pet’s behavior may be slightly altered in the first 24 hours after surgery. For example, they may be glassy-eyed, sleepy, nauseous, wobbly, vocal, shivering, or irritable,” the animal welfare organization writes online. “Encourage frequent movement indoors to help your pet recover from the anesthesia. Allowing them to rest uninterrupted will result in longer recovery and potential complications.”

It added: “Offer small amounts of the food they eat regularly and water later in the evening. Your pet may feel nauseous, and it can take up to 48 hours for their appetite to return to normal.”

The AHS continues that all neutered pets should be closely supervised and on an exercise restriction for the next 10 to 14 days.

TikTok Users React

Since it had been shared, the TikTok post has been liked by over 232,000 users and commented on more than 1,700 times. The post has invited plenty of debate and discussion about neutering, particularly the age at which a dog should have the procedure.

Some TikTok users protested under the post that the dog in the video was too young to be neutered.

“neutering at 8 weeks?? any vet in my area won’t do it until they are 6 months,” user
@indigoLemur03 commented, while TikTok user @ktwhit added: “Omg no why would the neuter that young.”

@bellaamariev responded that she did not oversee the procedure and that the shelter she adopted the dog from did.

One user, @ballisticfoxx, asked: “I want someone educated to answer please, but does neutering at 8 weeks present any serious direct risks since they’re so young?”

“You’re supposed to wait at least two years poor baby,” user @heyy.itz.madison added.

“Here in the U.K if we adopt they don’t neuter them young we have a contract that we sign that we will get them around a year. 8 weeks is just crazy. Not your fault but shelter,” another TikTok user shared.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.