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Part of being a responsible pet parent is ensuring you keep up with preventative health care. One of the most important preventatives when it comes to health issues in female dogs is spaying.
However, as with any surgical procedure, there are some small risks as well as health benefits. These risks can vary based on timing. So, understanding when to spay your dog is crucial.
Let's find out what it is, why it's recommended, and when to perform a spaying procedure on a female dog.What Is Spaying a Dog
Spaying a dog, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical procedure performed to remove a female dog's reproductive organs, including the ovaries and uterus. The primary purpose of spaying is to prevent unwanted pregnancies and eliminate the heat cycle in female dogs.
When to Spay a Female Puppy
The best time to spay your puppy is around 6 months of age, ideally before their first heat. Although there are certain situations where puppies are spayed younger than 5 or 6 months, it's not usually necessary, and may adversely affect their development.
What Does the Dog Spay Procedure Involve?
Spaying your dog offers several health benefits and helps control the pet population. If you're considering getting your dog spayed, it's important to understand what the procedure entails. Here's a list of everything involved:
A Pre-Anesthetic Health Check
Before your dog has their neutering operation, it'll be checked over by the veterinary team. Their heart health will be assessed, as well as checking the vulva and mammary glands for any signs of a season or phantom pregnancy. If your dog is showing any signs of being unwell, or if they are over eight years old, the veterinarian might recommend a blood test to check if their organs can cope with the anesthetic. If your veterinarian hears a heart murmur in your dog, they’ll let you know and discuss how to proceed.
Pre-Medication
Your dog’s veterinarian will choose the most suitable sedatives and pain relief medications based on your dog’s pre-anesthetic examination. The pre-medication will make them more relaxed and a little drowsy and will ensure they are pain-free from the start of the surgery.
General Anesthesia
Once your dog feels sleepy, and when it’s time for its surgery, it will be taken to the operating theatre, and an anesthetic drug will be injected into its vein (usually in its front leg). A tube will be passed into their airway to allow them to breathe more easily, and they will be connected to a supply of oxygen and anesthetic gas.
Preparing for Spay Surgery
Before starting the spay surgery, the veterinary team will clip the fur from your dog’s belly and use a sterilizing solution to make your dog’s skin clean and free from bacteria.
Dog Spay Surgery
The veterinary surgeon will cut along the midline of your dog's tummy, carefully cutting down through the skin, fat, and muscles. They will locate the uterus and ovaries and use special surgical thread to tie knots around the nearby blood vessels so that the organs can be safely removed. They will then stitch the muscle, fat, and skin layers back together.
Spay Surgery Recovery
The recovery time for spaying a dog takes between 10 to 14 days, during which time the dog should be kept calm and have limited activity to prevent injury and promote healing. Pain medication may be prescribed to manage discomfort during this period, and it is essential to follow all post-operative care instructions provided by the veterinarian.
In the first 24 to 48 hours post-surgery, your dog might seem tired due to the anesthesia. Their behavior will get back to normal as the anesthesia wears off. Make sure they don't jump or run during this healing phase. Even though they might seem a bit off at first, they usually adjust quickly with good care, making recovery smoother.
Benefits of Spaying Your Female Dog
It's not just the convenience of not having to keep your dog secure and away from male dogs when they're in heat and not having to worry about blood on the soft furnishings and carpets. Spaying also has several health benefits:
- Reduced Risk of Mammary Cancer: Spaying before the first heat virtually eliminates the chances of developing mammary cancer. Even if spaying is done after the third heat, the risk remains similar to an unneutered female dog.
- Prevention of Pyometra: Pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection, commonly affects older, unspayed females. The treatment for pyometra is an ovariohysterectomy, the same procedure used for spaying. However, the risks and complications are higher in dogs with pyometra.
- Prevention of Unwanted Pregnancy: Avoiding accidental litters is crucial to alleviate the strain on rescue centers and the potential financial burden associated with caring for a litter of puppies.
By spaying your dog, you not only eliminate the inconvenience of heat cycles and the risk of unwanted pregnancy but also significantly reduce the chances of serious health conditions.
Risks of Spaying Your Dog
While spaying is generally a safe procedure, it's important to be aware of potential risks. These include:
- Incontinence: Large-breed dogs spayed at a young age may have a higher risk of urinary incontinence later in life. Delaying spaying until after one or two heat cycles can help reduce this risk.
- Bleeding: Spaying a dog too close to their heat cycle can increase the chances of excessive bleeding. It is recommended to wait at least 3 months after a heat before proceeding with the spay procedure.
Though these risks are relatively minor compared to the significant health benefits and risks avoided by spaying your dog, discussing the optimal timing with your veterinarian can help mitigate these concerns.
What to Expect for Dog Spay Recovery
On the evening of your dog’s procedure, you might find that they’re still a bit drowsy, dribbly, or vocal. They might not be very interested in food either. These can all be normal symptoms after an anesthetic, but it’s important to consult your vet if you’re concerned. If you think your dog might be feeling uncomfortable or in pain, check out our article on how to spot signs of pain.
After a day or two, your dog should feel much brighter, and it might be a bit of a challenge to keep them calm! Your dog mustn't lick at their wound or nibble their post-surgery stitches, so make sure you use a cone collar, bodysuit, or another prevention method, especially when they’re unsupervised.
When Should You Be Worried?
If you’re concerned about your dog after a spay procedure, you should contact a vet. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of pain like vocalizing or restlessness. You should check the wound regularly for heat, swelling, redness, or discharge, and let the veterinarian know if there are any signs of inflammation or infection.
If your dog can lick their wound or chew their stitches out, speak to a veterinarian immediately, as it may need further surgery, staples, or a course of antibiotics.
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Conclusion
In conclusion, spaying your dog is a significant decision that can have long-term benefits for their health and well-being. By understanding the process, the benefits, and the potential risks involved, you can make an informed decision that aligns with the best interests of your furry friend. Remember, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian to discuss the specific needs of your dog and determine the optimal time for spaying.
Don't delay – consult your veterinarian today to schedule a spaying procedure for your beloved pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you spay a dog in heat?
While it's generally advised to avoid spaying a dog during heat due to enlarged blood vessels and potential complications, it can be done if necessary. Ideally, wait a week or two after the heat cycle ends to minimize risks. Always consult with a veterinarian for the best course of action.
Is it better to spay after the first heat?
For large breed dogs, spaying after a first heat could reduce the risk of urinary incontinence later in life. However, spaying before the first heat removes the risk of mammary cancer altogether. So, it’s worth speaking to your veterinarian for advice on what’s best for your pup.
What happens when a female dog is spayed too early?
Female dogs spayed too early may develop urinary incontinence later in life. Their physical growth and emotional development may also be affected, and recent reports suggest that early neutering can lead to ‘trapping’ dogs mentally in their adolescence, meaning more behavior issues.
