Scared to death about spaying

[JennaPenny]

Title says it all. I'm hoping that people who have recently had the procedure done can tell me what to expect beyond the medical side.. or give me some positive thoughts.

[Maximo]

I would hold off on spaying Chewie until you figure out her BAT/liver situation. Ideally, liver function tests are done on every pet (and humans) before going under anesthesia because the liver is essential for filtering the anesthesia.

In a dog with a potential liver shunt, they might be able to combine the spay with exploratory surgery on the liver or taking a liver sample.

[yavenay]

I think the best precaution you can take is to have the necessary blood work done before the spay. The blood work can help determined if she can be anesthetized safely.

I know how you feel because I go through the same feelings whenever a pet of mine has to get any surgery....but I am also happy to say that I am batting a hundred. None of my pets have died or experience any long lasting effects of being spayed or nuetered. In my lifetime I have at roughly 10 cats and dogs ( not all at once) and they were a spayed or neuter and the all lived happpy and long lives. There's always a chance something could happen and I make no claims that it is 100% guarantee nothing will happen to your baby. I will say the technology has reduced the likelihood of something happening though. I'm sure others will chime in as well......hope this helps.

Duchess who was spayed last year was wide awake and ready to play when I went to pick her up. She was alert and didn't appear to be in any pain. Of course I had to keep her calm but in general, all of my little ones were back to themselves usually by the next day.

Some things to look out for....dehydration, signs of pain (be sure to get some extra pain meds just in case)may take a few days for them to poop. Your vet will give you a list of side effects to be aware of. Keep them calm to ensure they don't literally bust the stitches. I had to keep my confined to their expens (just for the first few days) even though they were okay.....didn't want the stitches to tear open.

[yavenay]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I would hold off on spaying Chewie until you figure out her BAT/liver situation. Ideally, liver function tests are done on every pet (and humans) before going under anesthesia because the liver is essential for filtering the anesthesia.

In a dog with a potential liver shunt, they might be able to combine the spay with exploratory surgery on the liver or taking a liver sample.

I wasn't aware Chewie may have liver shunt when I wrote my response .....hope the little guy will be okay.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I would hold off on spaying Chewie until you figure out her BAT/liver situation. Ideally, liver function tests are done on every pet (and humans) before going under anesthesia because the liver is essential for filtering the anesthesia.

In a dog with a potential liver shunt, they might be able to combine the spay with exploratory surgery on the liver or taking a liver sample.

That's what they are doing.. I'm sorry I didn't mention it on the board. I completely forgot that I didn't. Biopsy at the same time, and brought up those same fears about the filtering as well.

[Wylie's Mom]

Since you're getting a biopsy at the same time for MVD, the spay scar will be a little larger. Just make sure you get adequate pain meds and a pain plan for breakthrough pain. I know it's scary...hang in there.

I have to wonder too if they should xray her spine while she is under...exploring the pain issue...?

[lovestiny]

hugs it is all nerve wracking, but hopefully it will bring good news ...

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I would hold off on spaying Chewie until you figure out her BAT/liver situation. Ideally, liver function tests are done on every pet (and humans) before going under anesthesia because the liver is essential for filtering the anesthesia.

In a dog with a potential liver shunt, they might be able to combine the spay with exploratory surgery on the liver or taking a liver sample.

My a/c is out and phoenix is very, very, hot right now. Much worse than it's supposed to be at this time of year. We are in a hotel waiting on insurance so, I don't have much time. I thought you'd be interested to know, Maximo, that I had a talk with hubby last night, and I asked him to say no about the spay right now. I needed his backing, and thankfully I got it. I felt it was too pushy. Vet is in agreement with me making her gain weight, and she's actually on the nutri-cal paste as we speak to make it happen. With her liver and the weight, I just can't do it. We've agreed to have her at least to 3.5 pounds, OR better liver numbers. I had NO idea just how upset I was until hubby asked if I was ready and I didn't respond well. It doesn't feel right to me, and I already felt that way before your post. I'll keep you updated.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

My a/c is out and phoenix is very, very, hot right now. Much worse than it's supposed to be at this time of year. We are in a hotel waiting on insurance so, I don't have much time. I thought you'd be interested to know, Maximo, that I had a talk with hubby last night, and I asked him to say no about the spay right now. I needed his backing, and thankfully I got it. I felt it was too pushy. Vet is in agreement with me making her gain weight, and she's actually on the nutri-cal paste as we speak to make it happen. With her liver and the weight, I just can't do it. We've agreed to have her at least to 3.5 pounds, OR better liver numbers. I had NO idea just how upset I was until hubby asked if I was ready and I didn't respond well. It doesn't feel right to me, and I already felt that way before your post. I'll keep you updated.

Sounds like a good plan. I hope her BAT tests return good news when you have them redone.

Just so you know, dogs with liver problems sometimes have difficulty maintaining or gaining weight. Sometimes healthy pups do not gain weight very fast. My Teddy was well into his 3 year before he really started filling out and gaining muscle.

Is she underweight for her small body size? Or are you hoping she will grow more?

Nutri-cal: my understanding is you have to follow it up with a protein/real food within 20 - 30 minutes or it doesn't really do anything other than raise sugar levels.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Sounds like a good plan. I hope her BAT tests return good news when you have them redone.

Just so you know, dogs with liver problems sometimes have difficulty maintaining or gaining weight. Sometimes healthy pups do not gain weight very fast. My Teddy was well into his 3 year before he really started filling out and gaining muscle.

Is she underweight for her small body size? Or are you hoping she will grow more?

Nutri-cal: my understanding is you have to follow it up with a protein/real food within 20 - 30 minutes or it doesn't really do anything other than raise sugar levels.

If you had asked me a month ago, or even 2 weeks ago if she was underweight, I'd have told you nope. However, now she is a bit, and I want that 10 oz back on her. She WAS gaining like a champ, but now she's not. She's stubborn. She will flat out refuse kibble. Now she isn't, but it was quite a struggle to get her to accept it. And she lost because of it.

yes, nutri-cal was by my suggestion. Vet is the one that did the rx for it, and gave specific instructions. It's definitely followed up by protein. Done with her meal. She loves it and gobbles it right down. I don't like that it's once a day, as she MIGHT refuse kibble without it being done each time. I'll cross that bridge when it happens. So far, it's fine.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

If you had asked me a month ago, or even 2 weeks ago if she was underweight, I'd have told you nope. However, now she is a bit, and I want that 10 oz back on her. She WAS gaining like a champ, but now she's not. She's stubborn. She will flat out refuse kibble. Now she isn't, but it was quite a struggle to get her to accept it. And she lost because of it.

yes, nutri-cal was by my suggestion. Vet is the one that did the rx for it, and gave specific instructions. It's definitely followed up by protein. Done with her meal. She loves it and gobbles it right down. I don't like that it's once a day, as she MIGHT refuse kibble without it being done each time. I'll cross that bridge when it happens. So far, it's fine.

Maybe she is in a growth/weight gain plateau. My boys, full brothers, grew in spurts their first year.

I had to hand feed Max his first year and play games with his food. Now he is a chow hound.

If she continues to refuse the kibble, you could consult petdiets.com to homecook for her.

[lovestiny]

I know some people sprinkle grated cheese on their food or crumble raw pellets onto their food. might this help?

[Yorkie 5]

I have 4 Yorkies, my youngest one is the first one who was not an eater.
I have chosen do stimulate him to eat with a sprinkle of chopped backed chicken.

This has helped a lot. he has gained the OZ needed to be a healthy weight.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

I know some people sprinkle grated cheese on their food or crumble raw pellets onto their food. might this help?

The raw I MAY do again. My vet was set against it and of course preached all the usual crap about how bad it was. Her tummy issues were a concern before the dx so I simply stopped for awhile. The Parmesan cheese she won't eat. She did, but that's how she is. What she will eat for weeks she wl

[lovestiny]

Your vet was against the freeze dried/frozen raw? Hmm. Curious why? Never heard of a vet thinking it was a bad idea? Are you saying you used to Do raw?