YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Questions to ask when getting my puppy spayed.

Franceen · 10-31-2011, 09:24 AM

Hello there and a big welcome to Yorkie Talk! I found it so helpful to be on this forum when I got my Tootsy and I am sure you will find the same.

Firstly, I would be inclined to agree with the last poster and wait until your female is a little older and bigger. Perhaps have a talk to your vet about the best time to spay her. Secondly, there is a 'sticky' above which says 'Anesthesia Protocol. You will see it near the top of the Yorkie Health and Diet page for posts. Have a read through this and it will give you lots of information.

I also found the following which I think is excellent advice:

Before You Go to the Vet Do Some Research

I've learned a lot from various sources about intubation especially a book that I have listed on the Great books page of this website. Yorkies (and other small dogs) have very small tracheas which can be damaged by using a tube too large to intubate your puppy. This is also the reason that I recommend a harness as opposed to a collar, but I digress. You want to make sure that the vet does the intubating and not the tech. What I recommend (and I've done this myself) is to specify on the waiver that you must sign before the surgery can be performed that you want the smallest possible tube if they must be and intubated and you consider Isoflurane as the anesthesia of choice. You should also stipulate that Halothane or any of barbiturates are not to be used on your yorkie under any circumstances. My vet thought I was crazy at first but he soon understood that I just had my baby's best interest at heart.

Many vets insist on keeping your baby overnight but I always ask two things
1. Is someone going to be through the night to watch over him?
2. If someone is not there, I know that my baby will constant supervision when he is with me. Can I care for him myself?

If you have any question please email me and if I cannot answer them I'm sure I know someone who can.

I have just had my Tootsy spayed and I wish I had followed the advice given above. My poor baby was left alone all night after surgery with no one to check if the pain meds were sufficient. No one to clean her up if she fouled the little cage - they are just left in their urine soaked pad all night!! This will NEVER happen to my baby again. I will always insist that I care for her during the night. I, personally, would not trust the night staff, if they have them, to keep her clean and cared for the way I would want done. The anaesthetic is the most important - make sure you WRITE on the form you have to sign that you only want them to use Isoflurane, plus the smallest tube they have, which the VET must put in, NOT the their tech. Insist on this or your baby's thracea could be damaged. Don't feel embarrassed or let them make you feel that you are making a fuss. This is your dog and you are the only person she has to speak up for her and see that she gets the best treatment.

I hope I have been of some help.

10-31-2011, 09:24 AM	#3
Franceen YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 581	Hello there and a big welcome to Yorkie Talk! I found it so helpful to be on this forum when I got my Tootsy and I am sure you will find the same. Firstly, I would be inclined to agree with the last poster and wait until your female is a little older and bigger. Perhaps have a talk to your vet about the best time to spay her. Secondly, there is a 'sticky' above which says 'Anesthesia Protocol. You will see it near the top of the Yorkie Health and Diet page for posts. Have a read through this and it will give you lots of information. I also found the following which I think is excellent advice: Before You Go to the Vet Do Some Research I've learned a lot from various sources about intubation especially a book that I have listed on the Great books page of this website. Yorkies (and other small dogs) have very small tracheas which can be damaged by using a tube too large to intubate your puppy. This is also the reason that I recommend a harness as opposed to a collar, but I digress. You want to make sure that the vet does the intubating and not the tech. What I recommend (and I've done this myself) is to specify on the waiver that you must sign before the surgery can be performed that you want the smallest possible tube if they must be and intubated and you consider Isoflurane as the anesthesia of choice. You should also stipulate that Halothane or any of barbiturates are not to be used on your yorkie under any circumstances. My vet thought I was crazy at first but he soon understood that I just had my baby's best interest at heart. Many vets insist on keeping your baby overnight but I always ask two things 1. Is someone going to be through the night to watch over him? 2. If someone is not there, I know that my baby will constant supervision when he is with me. Can I care for him myself? If you have any question please email me and if I cannot answer them I'm sure I know someone who can. I have just had my Tootsy spayed and I wish I had followed the advice given above. My poor baby was left alone all night after surgery with no one to check if the pain meds were sufficient. No one to clean her up if she fouled the little cage - they are just left in their urine soaked pad all night!! This will NEVER happen to my baby again. I will always insist that I care for her during the night. I, personally, would not trust the night staff, if they have them, to keep her clean and cared for the way I would want done. The anaesthetic is the most important - make sure you WRITE on the form you have to sign that you only want them to use Isoflurane, plus the smallest tube they have, which the VET must put in, NOT the their tech. Insist on this or your baby's thracea could be damaged. Don't feel embarrassed or let them make you feel that you are making a fuss. This is your dog and you are the only person she has to speak up for her and see that she gets the best treatment. I hope I have been of some help.