Need your advice please!
 

Hi,

After reading all your comments and few threads, I have decided to spay Maya. I fully understand the risks of breeding a 3 pound Yorkie. My question is - Do I have to spay her, or can I just keep her "unspayed" and just not breed her?

I am asking that because I am very concerned of putting her through this operation! Just the thought of her being cut and her reproductive organs taking out of her makes feel uncomfortable.

I hope you can help me make a discission!

Thanks

If you don't spay then you will have to deal with her coming in heat. I would say you don't have to spay her but I would make sure no "accidents" happen when she is in heat. It is a very hard decision to put them through the operation. I understand that completely.

And I forgot to mention that the Vet told me that not spaying her can increase the possibility of her having ovarial cancer and health problems because of hormone changes. Any experience with that?

I am sure some breeders will confirm the best thing for you to do, but it is of my understanding that early spay also prevents cancer, pyometra and other serious complication that may arise later and if done by an experienced vet it is not a big surgical procedure and it is very safe.
I am sure you will choose the best for your dog as you already have.

How old is she?
Spaying would lessen the risk of ovarian cancer and uterine infections.
Also would stop any "romeo's" from trying to get to her when she is in heat.

No big deal!
 

Our little Tiki (6months old, 3.9 lbs.) was spayed 2 1/2 weeks ago. We were as concerned as you are, but Ms. Tiki had no problems. She wore the cone for exactly 2 weeks and dealt extremely well with it. She got her stitches off last Tuesday and is like it never happened! So, good luck with yours and do it!:)

My sisiter in-law did not spay her female and her dog did end up getting mamory tumors. I was a vet tech then and she brought her dog in for the surgery to remove the tumors, but they were so hard to remove. They are spider like, the tumors, with a knot mass in the middle and if you do not get all the spider like fingers out with the mass knot it will spread rapidly after surgery. Also it is all the same white color as her tissues are, so very hard to tell the difference in order to get all the tumor. We tried so hard to get eveything and hoped. But she died 6 months later.

So yes, getting females spayed is the best for health reasons and a spay operation is so much easier on them than an operation of digging and slicing them up for expoloratory when they are ill.

Also if you have any males at your home - I am afraid that you could also have an accident like so many others come on here and state. It is so much better all around just to have her spayed. They will do blood work before the surgery, just ask to be sure, to check and make sure she is healthy before the spay and it should go fine.

While all surgeries are a risk the best thing is to find a vet that is experienced in performing surgery on toy dogs. Although this procedure makes them uncomfortable the first 24 to 48 hours, it doesn't make them uncomfortable for the rest of their lives. In fact the opposite is true; the change in their personality during the 21 days they are in Season & there is the possibility of false pregnancies (a real mess).

Mammary cancer is a fear when keeping your dog in tact, the possibility of an oops pregnancy, but there is also the great fear of pyrometria. This possibility grows with each cycle a dog remains in tact. If this happens, the only alternative is an emergency spay or your dog will die.

Your vet is correct. I notice you live in Toronto there are many excellent surgeons here. Check out VEH Vet Emergency Hospital near Yonge and Bedford.
Have a full blood panel work up done prior surgery. Also there is a lady on here that sells the "e" collar, that I've heard good things about.

Good luck let us know how it goes:)

You have a good vet that is giving you real good advice. Early spay will prevent ovarian and mammary cancers that can be difficult to diagnose and may be too late once found, will prevent Pyometra which is very very dangerous and if it happens it is a emergency surgery that is the only treatment but if not done early enough your dog may die, will prevent false pregnancies that can be very distressful to your dog and may contribute to pyometra , will prevent un-wanted pregnancies , heat and its consequences including the bleeding and the mood changes. That is just to name a few of the benefits spaying your girl early will give both of you.
A good vet , experienced with toy breeds will perform the surgery very safely and with a little tiny incision, her organs are little and if she is not in heat the surgery is very routine. The discomfort will be only for the first couple days and only 10 days of limited activity. worthy all the way.
If you are concerned about her tiny size, think about the new anesthesia procedures and new technology has made it very safe to perform surgery on dogs and puppies, my vet tells me that once they reach 2 pounds it is very safe to put them under the new anesthesia available, your girl is 3 pounds , so not much to worry about .
Ask for references or find out how many toy dogs your vet had performed surgical procedures.
It will be worthy for your peace of mind !
XOXO

We had Wrigley spayed at 6 1/2 months and she was a little over 3 1/2 lbs and she did great!
I agree to do the full blood panel work up!
We also have the "e" collar. We didn't have it for Wrigley's spay, but we did for Camden's hernia surgery and it worked great and made such a difference, I HIGHLY recommend it!!

I fully understand your fears about the surgery. Lucy is 3.8 lbs AND has mild MVD issues so I was really afraid to spay her. I waited until she was about 10 months old and might have waited longer ~ but she had some baby teeth that absolutely had to come out.

I went over the anesthesia procedures that are posted in a sticky (I think in the sick and injured forum) and my Vet agreed with them all, including the type of anesthesia. I think he was as concerned as I was considering her liver issues.

Long story short - she came through with flying colors and we never even needed an E collar. She just didn't bother her stitches much. Hardest part was keeping her quiet for about two weeks.

I would have a long talk with my vet, share your concerns, and discuss his anesthesia protocol. You might be more comfortable after that.

PS: 100% agree with the pre-blood work! It's a must for these tiny babies!

Umm...
 

I hate to sound behind the times here, but what is an "e" collar and what is it for? :)

Also, I've already gotten a quote from my vet about spaying (I plan ahead for everything, so yep no dog, but I already have the budget for the spay...go figure :P lol) and he said some of the charges on it were optional, but they really shouldn't be imo. I then did some shopping around and found they were optional at every place I went to. I was just wondering why they are optional if they really are for the safety of the pup? I opted into all of them of course, but why doesn't the vet require them?

E-collars are to keep your pup from licking at the incision.

Things you should not consider is optional; Pre-op blood work. Intubation, pain meds. In otherwords anything that is used for a safeguard to insure your pups welfare.

Each vet is different and are for the most part general practioners. There are those that are more knowledgable with the Toy breeds and know to take every precaution necessary right down to every minute detail.

An e- collar or an 'Elizabethan" collar is that thing funny looking, that resembles a "lamp shade" on the neck of a dog, and prevents the dog from licking and biting at the incision ...

Some blood work are optional before surgery but it is better to have them done. Some other optional may include extra time under vets care for example... i prefer to bring mine home and supervise my self, but it is because i have experience, for another person they may even opt to have the pet stay overnight ...
You need to see the list of the "optional's" and analyze what could be better for you and your pet.
Thinking ahead is what every prospect pet owner should do before making a decision... Congrats.
XOXO