Should I neuter or spay my yorkie?
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) and Neutering (castration) are considered preventative medicine.
More than 15 million, friendly, healthy, dogs and cats are etherized (put to death) yearly because no one wants them. There are also many medical reasons to alter your pet.
Advantages to spaying
-A female dog that is spayed before one year of age reduces her risk of breast cancer by 86%
-Spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer.
-Eliminates the risks of life threatening uterine infections called pyometra.
-Eliminates unwanted heats and messy discharges and smells associated with heat
-Helps control pet populations
-Eliminates the chance of "passing on" conditions such as luxating patella, collapsing trachea
liver shunt and other hereditary problems associated with small dogs.
-Reduces "pack hierarchy" amongst multiple females in the same home.
Advantages to neutering
-Reduces prostate problems later in life to almost zero
-Totally eliminates the risk of testicular cancer
-Eliminates or drastically reduces some behavior problems
-Reduces aggressive tendencies towards people and other dogs.
-Eliminates roaming in search of females in heat.
-Decreases male to male fighting
How is it done?
Both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures that should only be done by a competent vet. Assembly line spay/neuter clinics are not recommended because they cannot give your yorkie the same loving care as he or she's regular vet. Your pet will be given a complete physical evaluation and pre-anesthetic blood profiles. If all is good, the yorkie will be sedated and intubated to remain asleep throughout the procedure. NEVER ALLOW A VET TECH TO INTUBATE YOUR YORKIE. Only a vet can do this correctly and without excessive risk. The yorkie will be placed on a special pad to keep the body temperature steady. The area will be shaved and cleaned well with antiseptic wash. An incision will be made and the reproductive organs will be removed. Stitches will be put in place. The pet will be moved to recovery and gently wakened when it can swallow and pick up it's head. Then, wrapped in a blanket or towel the pet will be continuously monitored as it wakes. Yorkies sometimes shiver and yip when waking. If you are not able to be there for the wake up ask the vet tech to talk to the pet as it awakes, reducing confusion.
You will have to limit exercise for a few days and return for suture removal in about 7 days.
BabeYorkies AKC Yorkshire Terriers - Puppy Care
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, my vet used dissolving stitches. I like this much better.
