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06-13-2014, 09:55 AM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker | Your experiences about spaying I know this has been asked before, but forgive me I don't visit here much these days after my last experience and it has taken time to summon the endeavor to post again. My little 7lb girl is now 17months old and completed her first season 6 weeks back. The Vet advised I contact them this coming week about having her spayed. I'm presently torn on making a decision? I've read some of the posts on here and visited my Vet a month ago when she had her yearly jabs. Just thinking of her lying on her back, eyes sightless, tongue hanging down is a horrifying scenario to contemplate and really upsets me. As I see it, the proposal is increased risk of later life cancers (mammarian etc) v's death on the table, or latter infection? We are incredibly close and she of course trusts her Dad implicitly. I can't quite yet establish how much of a risk the surgery could be, even with a supposed very good Vet. Is it a minor every day op? Can anyone empathize with my fears and offer advice, or experience gained within this dilemma themselves? |
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06-13-2014, 10:14 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| Hi There.... happy to see you here. I can fully understand your concerns and have gone through that decision with my 4 girls. We all love our pups so much and have fears around any surgery or anesthesia. I can wholeheartedly recommend that you go ahead and have Crystal spayed at this time. The procedure is very safe and routine, and will only result in a few days of moderate discomfort. Each of my girls had only a few days of being extra sleepy, then bounced back as if nothing ever happened. To leave her unspayed would put her at increased risk of cancer, pyometra, and unwanted pregnancy, as well as the inconveniences of additional heat cycles.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
06-13-2014, 10:56 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play
Posts: 7,069
| I understand your fears. Here is my story: Hello. I always felt if anyone could manage an unspayed dog, I could. I have the experience, the education and knowledge to take care of my dog, whelp litters and raise puppies. Not just on a whim, but real experience. Even though breeding Moka never once crossed my mind, (not breeding quality) she had silent heat cycles and that "should" have been my first warning. Because of the silent heats, I just put off spaying. Not to be confused with absent heats. She cycled she just didn't show the normal symptoms. But, Moka developed pyometra after a silent heat cycle. As much experience as I have with animals pyometra wasn't one of them, and I truly contribute my experience/background in saving her life. She was off, but most people wouldn't have noticed. She still ate, followed me, etc. Just off. Something wasn't right. She had a sad look about her. So, I scheduled a spay. My vet actually called me to tell me they opened her up and she was pregnant. I told them that was impossible, and that I knew for a fact she was never exposed to a male dog. Not just during heat, but ever. So they opened her uterus expecting to prove me wrong, and it was full of infection. It was what's called 'closed pyometra' so there wasn't any outward signs like vaginal discharge that would have alerted me to a problem. It was all contained to the uterus. My vet told me not only did I just save a lot of money, but I saved her life. Pyometra if not caught early is very serious and can be very fatal. Moka did not fit the normal criteria for pyometra either. She never mated, never whelped a litter, (both of which can introduce infection) and was very young. I will never weigh the risks of spay vs not spay again, and I will not wait. Moka has always been sweet and special. But more so after her spay. I love the saying for horses "you love your stud? You'll love your gelding more." And it holds true for dogs as well.
__________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee |
06-13-2014, 11:02 AM | #4 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Dear Doc; As you may know, I am one poster that posts a lot of research on spaying and neutering. First the risks of the surgery, especially with pre-op blood work are very low. In our library we do have the recommended anaesthesia protocols. At 17 months old her long bones are all grown, her physeal plates have closed, so the ortho risks are at a minimum. But do know that spaying or not, mammary tumours can occur, and as an owner of a female, you need to palpate 8 nipples at least monthly to check for irregularities. You can ask your vet to show you how. It is easily done and can become part of your weekly grooming routine Mammary tumours do occur with greater frequency in un-spayed and un-bred females, so keep that in mind. I think quite frankly as a pet owner, given we have no research on Yorkies in this arena specific to the health risks on spaying Yorkies at what-ever age, it is best to spay her. It frees you to not worry every 6 months or so from keeping her safe from un-wanted breedings. I think that is the main benefit to you.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
06-13-2014, 11:51 AM | #5 |
T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England
Posts: 9,816
| My experience is that I spayed my female at four months old. She was a poorly bred and sickly puppy from a pet store. She made it through the procedure just fine, had an uneventful recovery, and she will turn 14 in September. She has outlived all her prognoses and has the energy and spirit of a much younger dog as evidenced by her all day play and romping with my three year old Yorkie. The young boy is no match for her. I would spay a female at 6 months old today if I had a new puppy. I'm not concerned with anesthesia.
__________________ Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy |
06-13-2014, 11:54 AM | #6 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,957
| Quote:
Agree 1000%
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog | |
06-13-2014, 12:15 PM | #7 | |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL
Posts: 12,235
| Quote:
Spay and neuter is a very common procedure and done millions of time a year. The risk of anesthesia is very low and pre op blood work should be done to check liver function prior to ANY surgical procedure. I have had pets my entire life and they have all been altered without any complications. In addition to a spay it would also be a great time for a dental to polish up her teeth. Oral health care is very important to the health of our little ones. Anesthesia is very safe!
__________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain Last edited by megansmomma; 06-13-2014 at 12:20 PM. | |
06-14-2014, 01:42 AM | #8 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker | Ladies, Firstly may I thank you all most sincerely for these contributions. I took a long time 'off-line' preparing my question and after it was published saw that other members had subsequently posted upon this topic too. Accordingly I'm sorry if my submission therefore appeared repetitive, or seemed selfish. We have an excellent Dog rescue TV series here, featuring England's Battersea Dogs Home in London. A recent episode featured a Yorkie being spayed and the depiction I gave was from this program, which impacted upon me in a big way. Now however, I can imagine the scenario in 'Cha Cha's' story as well. When I spoke to the lady Vet, at the time of her jab booster, she seemed very cool about it. Until your contributions, I'd judged her as maybe a bit dispassionte. I now see, that for them it's just a routine procedure and her reactions were probably professional, if lacking completely in empathy and reassurance. Just the modern way it seems? She did say her growth plates had closed and as a young dog, now was exactly the right time. I also want her teeth cleaned and checked (which they'd suggested) and micro-chipping carried out too (my request). Like all of us, my little Crystal has become a deeply loved member of the family. Both my wife and I couldn't imagine our time now without her. Your wise and kind words are really very much appreciated and very reassuring - thank you again all. |
06-14-2014, 09:30 AM | #9 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| I am so happy to hear this. We all know how very much you love Crystal, and truly we all care deeply for her too. The surgery scenario you described is absolutely nothing, compared to the possible complications of a pregnancy or other life threatening diseases. Having your Crystal spayed will help keep her your happy, healthy precious girl. We will all be here with support and comfort when the day comes, as it is always a stressful day for the owner. By the way, I've missed seeing photos of darling Crystal, and hope you'll post more sometime.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
06-14-2014, 02:32 PM | #10 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Leeds west yorkshire UK
Posts: 81
| One added question I would like to ask is after spaying has anyone noticed changes in their dog's coat. I ask this because I have had Irish setters for years before I had Lou Lou my yorkie. My first female was spayed before her first heat and her beautiful coat went all fluffy and looked awful. She also put on loads of weight despite feeding her less. My current female setter was spayed at 4 yrs , owing to bloat/torsion. she had a beautiful coat and now looks like an orangutan ! she has also spread out weight wise. Her sister who has not been spayed is not overweight . shirl |
06-14-2014, 06:27 PM | #11 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,957
| Quote:
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog | |
06-14-2014, 06:38 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 4000 Club Member | I haven't noticed any change in either of my girl's coats. Cali is still very silky and easy to comb. Scarlett is still a hot mess. Cali is still still slender. Scarlett not so much, but that can be attributed to her absolute love affair with all things edible and the gooey eyes she gives my husband.
__________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. |
06-14-2014, 06:48 PM | #13 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member | I wish both of you good luck. One of my friends had 2 different girls die on the operating table--cardiac arrest--in the last two years. Anytime they go under it is very risky. |
06-14-2014, 06:53 PM | #14 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL
Posts: 12,235
| Anesthesia is not risky and if I had 2 dogs die while under anesthesia I'd be looking for an attorney and a new vet!
__________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain |
06-14-2014, 06:56 PM | #15 |
T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England
Posts: 9,816
| My 14 year old just had a dental. He also had a three hour MRI. Anesthesia isn't risky if done by a competent vet with an up-to-date protocol.
__________________ Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy |
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