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Originally Posted by Dara311  and, is it bad that she is having a first heat before getting fixed!? i'm so ignorant with this all, even as a vet tech, i didnt have to deal with this.... |
I really don't think it can increase her risk very much. I know they say that doing it before their first heat significantly reduces their chances, but the vet told me that after the first heat, their risk is just a little bit more. And again, we're talking risks, as in chances of things happening--it's like, every time you walk across the street, there is a chance you'll get hit by a car! I know it does happen, but how many people do you know that have a dog with mammary cancer?? I don't know any. And think of all the dogs who breed....if it were really common for that to happen, I would think breeders would be having it happen to their dogs all the time.
Here's an article I found online:
Reproduction - When to Spay
It says the risk of getting mammary cancer in a dog spayed before her first heat is 1% (that's 1 in 100 dogs will get it even if they were spayed before their first heat), and it increases to 8% if done after their first heat but before their 2nd (that's 8 in 100)...still pretty slim odds. If done anytime after the 2nd heat, it increases to 25% (1 in 4), which is the same chances as a dog who is never spayed.
I really think she'll be just fine!! Don't worry!! (I know, I know, that's like saying don't breathe....it's like that for me too!) Seriously, though, as tiny as our Yorkies are, and as much as we hold them, etc..., you would notice anything WAY before most dog owners do, so even if you fell into one of those 8, she would be just fine anyway!!