Nervous and Worried, pls. Donate your Expertise!

[LilyBelle]

Hi everyone!

Lily is quickly approaching the 6 month mark, and I know it will soon be time to have her fixed. My questions are these:

1. She is exactly 3 lbs. Is this big enough?
2. Should she have any pre-surgical bloodwork done?
3. What type of anesthetic should she have (I havbe heard isoflurane?)
4. Will she need constant supervision afterward? (My bf and I both work 12 hour days in the city)

Thank you all soo much. I know we have all gone through this and I tried to search the boards... I havent found anything too concrete. I would appreciate ANY advice!!

[Biddy's Mom]

I'm certainly no expert, but the one thing that I suggest is definitley get the pre-surgical bloodwork done. A friend of mine has a boxer and he was terribly allergic to the anesthetic. We had Biddy's blood tested before she was spayed & the tests came out negative, but at least I felt better sending her in for surgery. My friend's Boxer is fine now (although they still have not been able to neuter him), but I'm pretty sure our little Yorkies aren't quite as tough as a Boxer (as much as they like to think that they are!). Good luck

[chachi]

I am wondering the same thing in regards to my small female. I wonder if 6mos. is too young when they are that small. Have you talked to your vet? Alot of people wait untill all of their adult teeth come in also. That way if any baby teeth need pulled they can do it at that time.

[Cairos Mom]

Hello,

Are you getting her done traditionally or by laser? I highly recommend the laser surgery. It cuts the healing time WAY down. The pup needs to be only 2 lbs to have laser surgery and they can do it as young as 8 weeks if the dog is big enough.
I agree 100% with Biddys Mom about the blood work. You can never be too safe
Try to get a vet that uses Isoflorine (SP ?). the reason it is so good is because it is a gas and not injected, it does not stay in the bodies system. When they remove the gas mask, the pup wakes up right away.
And they do reccommend that the dogs be watched for 24 hours after surgery, just to be sure. Try to arrange it on a Friday afternoon like I did. That way you will have the whole weekend with her

I have also included a link to my vet that tells about the laser surgery. You can PM me if you have more questions. I've been doing lots of research on the subject lately because of my 2 dogs being done.

http://www.laservet.ca/laserSurgery.html

[klogan]

Ask your vet. They will give you the best answers.

[myguyalex]

I am not an expert, but here is what I remember from when Alex was a pup almost 4 years ago. Alex was about that size and that age when he was fixed. If you are worried talk to the vet. They should care for baby as much as you do. I ALWAYS get the blood work when Alex goes under anthestic. I don't want any problems and that eases my mind a bit. As far as what kind of anthestic, I would have no clues. I remember asking that vet and I used what they recommended for the little dogs. I can't remember how he healed. I got it done on a Friday, so that I had all weekend to be with him. I was a reck all that Friday though. Hope this helps.

[Breeze]

A friend of mine has a boxer and he was terribly allergic to the anesthetic. We had Biddy's blood tested before she was spayed & the tests came out negative, but at least I felt better sending her in for surgery. My friend's Boxer is fine now (although they still have not been able to neuter him), but I'm pretty sure our little Yorkies aren't quite as tough as a Boxer (as much as they like to think that they are!). Good luck

Boxers should never have the anesthetic ACE (Acepromazine) used on them. It may have been what what used on your friends boxer, I have heard horrible stories about what has happened to boxers that have been given this drug. It is one of the most common anesthetics for dogs and is safe for almost all types of breeds except boxers. Please pass this info to your friend or any boxer owners you may know.

Here is some info:

There is one drug commonly used in anesthetic protocols that should not be used in the Boxer. The drug is Acepromazine, a tranquilizer, which is often used as a preanesthetic agent. In the Boxer, it tends to cause a problem called first degree heart block, a potentially serious arrhythmia of the heart. It also causes a profound hypotension (severe lowering of the blood pressure) in many Boxers that receive the drug.

Recently, on the Veterinary Information Network, a computer network for practicing veterinarians, an announcement was placed in the cardiology section entitled "Acepromazine and Boxers." This described several adverse reactions to the drug in a very short time span at a veterinary teaching hospital. All the adverse reactions were in Boxers. The reactions included collapse, respiratory arrest, and profound bradycardia (slow heart rate, less than 60 beats per minute). The announcement suggested that Acepromazine should not be used in dogs of the Boxer breed because of a breed related sensitivity to the drug.

WARNING:

This drug is the most commonly prescribed tranquilizer in veterinary medicine. It is also used orally and is prescribed for owners who want to tranquilize their dogs for air or car travel. I would strongly recommend that Boxer owners avoid the use of this drug, especially when the dog will be unattended and/or unable to receive emergency medical care if it is needed.

Submitted by & : Wendy Wallner, DVM July, 1997

[ttreatsyorkies]

IF you can stand going through one heat cycle with her, a year is a great time. Not alot of people would agree with this, but her body is still maturing up till that point.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Thanks for the info on the laser procedure! I will definitley look into that for my 5 month old. My vet scoffed at me when I said she was too young and too little! Needless to say, I am looking for a new vet. My old vet also said "wait until she comes into heat, then you will be sorry you didn't do it sooner".

What is so bad about them being in heat? I wouldn't think the first heat would be very much mess and she is so tiny that I think the blood flow would be perfectly manageable with doggy panties designed for this. What is she referring to?

[ttreatsyorkies]

I personally don't think there is anything wrong with them coming into their first heat cycle. It is very manageable. Some pups keep themselves so clean that you rarely notice they are in heat. It does attract unwanted attention, from the opposite; but if you keep them at home than that should not be a problem. First heat is longer than others but it isn't to bad.
When I worked as a vet tech, our vet always recommended to wait until they are mature, usually after the first year. That way you are not messing with any personality or body changes they might experience. After all who wants to go through menopause that early

[Biddy's Mom]

Thanks Breeze! I'll be sure to relay that information to my friend.

[Breeze]

Biddy's Mom- Your welcome.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Thanks TTReatsyorkies. That's what I wanted to hear.

[LilyBelle]

Well, now I am more confused.

My Vet says is it recommended to have her fixed before the first heat b/c it decreases her risk of particular cancers. I dont mind her going through heat, I can handle that -- but the doctor is recommending that I don't let it happen!

I need to read up on this!

Thanks for all of the great feedback, and keep it coming!

[whispersmom2]

My vet recommends the same time frame.. They are considered knowledgeable in the care of toy breeds. They use the same anesthesia that is used for c-sections and if it is safe to use it then, wouldn't it be okay to use during spaying??