OK to spay/board with vet for 2 weeks?

[tjwarder]

Is there a definitive way to know for sure if our 2 year old yorkie-poo rescue is in heat and if so, how far along? After realizing it would be a very bad idea for an unspayed dog to spend 2 weeks at a Board & Train obedience school while I am out of town, I have been working on a Plan C (getting someone to come to the house) but that does not appear very promising. Plan B would be to either (b)(1) Board her at the vet or (b)(2) Have the vet spay and board her while we are gone. Boarding without spaying could have almost as much risk as the training school. Probably fewer dogs and more control there, but no guarantee.

It would be 'easy' (logistically) to have the spay done and all her recovery at the vet, but it makes my heart hurt to just leave her, not know if she's okay, and not be there to reassure her afterwards. I don't know if she needs us to be here then; perhaps Plan B would work well, but none of the options 'feel' right. Even being gone doesn't feel right, but it is unavoidable and it was better that we accepted her when we did rather than leaving her in a bad situation.

Even though we love our local vet, and he has always provided competent and compassionate care for our previous (much larger) pets, I would like her to be seen by a vet who specializes in small breeds. A Dallas vet has been recommended here, and if we spay/board then I would want to have it done at his facility.

Are there any other things I should consider? Sorry for so many words, I know you all are not my priest, manicurist or bartender . I'm just very glad I happened to read another thread (about an unplanned pregnancy) this morning and realized in time that taking her to the obedience school (unspayed) was a very bad plan.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjwarder

Is there a definitive way to know for sure if our 2 year old yorkie-poo rescue is in heat and if so, how far along? After realizing it would be a very bad idea for an unspayed dog to spend 2 weeks at a Board & Train obedience school while I am out of town, I have been working on a Plan C (getting someone to come to the house) but that does not appear very promising. Plan B would be to either (b)(1) Board her at the vet or (b)(2) Have the vet spay and board her while we are gone. Boarding without spaying could have almost as much risk as the training school. Probably fewer dogs and more control there, but no guarantee.

It would be 'easy' (logistically) to have the spay done and all her recovery at the vet, but it makes my heart hurt to just leave her, not know if she's okay, and not be there to reassure her afterwards. I don't know if she needs us to be here then; perhaps Plan B would work well, but none of the options 'feel' right. Even being gone doesn't feel right, but it is unavoidable and it was better that we accepted her when we did rather than leaving her in a bad situation.

Even though we love our local vet, and he has always provided competent and compassionate care for our previous (much larger) pets, I would like her to be seen by a vet who specializes in small breeds. A Dallas vet has been recommended here, and if we spay/board then I would want to have it done at his facility.

Are there any other things I should consider? Sorry for so many words, I know you all are not my priest, manicurist or bartender . I'm just very glad I happened to read another thread (about an unplanned pregnancy) this morning and realized in time that taking her to the obedience school (unspayed) was a very bad plan.

You need to do what is in your heart.

The vet I recommended does not board. And most boarding facilities will not board a female that is in Season.

[Rhetts_mama]

BTW, welcome to YT. I'm so glad you realized that plan A has to go out the window for now.

You might run in to a problem with the spay if your little girl has already started her heat cycle. Most vets will not spay during heat because the increased blood flow to the area makes bleeding/hemorrhage more likely. When in doubt, take your little girl in to be seen to determine whether or not she's in heat. Remember to tell them everything you said in your other postings.

Your plan C could work, but you would have to make sure that you impress on the person coming in that she might be in heat and can NOT be around any males. Even the boy next door could come through/over/under the fence to get to her.

You said you got her as a rescue. Was it from a formal organization? Would someone from that organization be willing to care for her while you are gone?

Good luck in what ever you decide.

[tjwarder]

We did not get her from a formal rescue; I may have incorrectly used the term. 'Rescue' is what our family vet put down for history when we told him how we got her. I am usually careful to not dilute the meaning of words with over or improper use, so please let me know if I should not refer to her as a 'rescue.' My guess is that she was purchased from a BYB who provided no information or documents to the former owner.

Sugar ran into our yard about a month ago, then disappeared. Two weeks ago she was in our front yard when we came home and raced into my arms. We called the phone # on her tag and spoke to her former owner ("FO"). FO told us that her pediatrician said her newborn daughter has severe allergies and she could not keep any dog in the house. FO gave Sugar to an elderly neighbor whose Yorkie had died, believing she would have a good home there. Ours was the 3rd or 4th phone call reporting the dog running loose all over town. The elderly neighbor had given her to a relative on our street, and they did not supervise her, letting her out on her own every day (we have coyotes in our area ). She was skinny, with matted hair, an ear infection and inflamed tonsils. FO took Sugar back home with her, but called us a few days later asking if we would take her, since her baby was already reacting to having Sugar in the house. We agreed, and took her to our local vet for shots (presumably already given, but no record of them) and a checkup. She is our first tiny dog and I have been spending countless hours here learning about food, schedule, toys, and the many things we need to be careful and aware of that never came up with our independent, 60# outside dog

She is never outside unsupervised and is always on a leash. I quickly take her in if the dog next door is outside at the same time. My husband asked the vet if she is in heat but my husband said he didn't get a direct answer ???? I've never had or seen a dog in heat and suspect it but am not sure. I did, however, just make an appointment with the DFW area vet recommended here to have her spayed and then boarded at their facility while we are gone. Now my question is: if she IS in heat, is it better to NOT have her spayed right now? Should I have them wait? I did not talk directly to the vet/surgeon on the phone. Of course his staff handles incoming calls and I asked tons of questions. The staff member did not say it would be a problem (told her everything I've posted here and then some ). So many things to learn, so many things to worry about. Glad she's worth it

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjwarder

We did not get her from a formal rescue; I may have incorrectly used the term. 'Rescue' is what our family vet put down for history when we told him how we got her. I am usually careful to not dilute the meaning of words with over or improper use, so please let me know if I should not refer to her as a 'rescue.' My guess is that she was purchased from a BYB who provided no information or documents to the former owner.

Sugar ran into our yard about a month ago, then disappeared. Two weeks ago she was in our front yard when we came home and raced into my arms. We called the phone # on her tag and spoke to her former owner ("FO"). FO told us that her pediatrician said her newborn daughter has severe allergies and she could not keep any dog in the house. FO gave Sugar to an elderly neighbor whose Yorkie had died, believing she would have a good home there. Ours was the 3rd or 4th phone call reporting the dog running loose all over town. The elderly neighbor had given her to a relative on our street, and they did not supervise her, letting her out on her own every day (we have coyotes in our area ). She was skinny, with matted hair, an ear infection and inflamed tonsils. FO took Sugar back home with her, but called us a few days later asking if we would take her, since her baby was already reacting to having Sugar in the house. We agreed, and took her to our local vet for shots (presumably already given, but no record of them) and a checkup. She is our first tiny dog and I have been spending countless hours here learning about food, schedule, toys, and the many things we need to be careful and aware of that never came up with our independent, 60# outside dog

She is never outside unsupervised and is always on a leash. I quickly take her in if the dog next door is outside at the same time. My husband asked the vet if she is in heat but my husband said he didn't get a direct answer ???? I've never had or seen a dog in heat and suspect it but am not sure. I did, however, just make an appointment with the DFW area vet recommended here to have her spayed and then boarded at their facility while we are gone. Now my question is: if she IS in heat, is it better to NOT have her spayed right now? Should I have them wait? I did not talk directly to the vet/surgeon on the phone. Of course his staff handles incoming calls and I asked tons of questions. The staff member did not say it would be a problem (told her everything I've posted here and then some ). So many things to learn, so many things to worry about. Glad she's worth it

If you're speaking of Doc Hathorne, ask to speak to him, he'll answer your question.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Just personally speaking with my late Yorkie, Jilly, I would board her with a vet I trusted who boards and spay when I could be there for her. But she was my baby, very tiny and I was always scared when she had to have anesthesia or surgery and had to be with her. If I were out of town while Jilly were having surgery, I would be a wreck and might as well cancel my trip. That is just me as I am a horrible softie, a worrier and have a thing about proper care of post-op dogs once they are released from IH care.

Leaving a bitch in heat with the boarding vet would have to include a session with said vet and staff, including a visit with the night staff, about how they were going to protect her. I am not shy so we would have those meetings or my baby is not staying where I'm not assurred she will be safe from male dogs! With a well-known vet who values his reputation in a city with owners of female Yorkie dogs, I imagine he would personally see to it the bitch is kept pretty safe. Still, I know, the chance of an accidental mating is possible.

If you have no friend or family member you trust to keep her, you are just left with those two, it looks like.

As either way has its up and down sides and each person must do what is right for them, their dog and their situation - and the risks - which situation is riskier and what you can live with easiest should the worst happen.

I sure don't envy you having to make the decision and hope your trip and your girl both turn out okay. Is there anything safe they can give a female to delay heat, do you know? Well, best of luck to you and I sure hope it all works out for the best of you and your girl.