Is spaying necessary?

[dottiesyrky]

I saw nothing in any of the quoted articles that says it is more important in larger breeds? Please correct me if i did not read it rightly. The point they make is that hormones affect bones and other parts of the growing dog, and that neutering an immature dog can have bad effects as well as good. If the neuter can be put off until maturity, it can be more of a win win situation.
Although it is agreed that breeding a three pound dog has dangers, interfering with body development, and anesthesia also have dangers and consequences. All I'm saying is that one should be aware of all known facts when making this decision.

[avemike]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I've heard that this is more important with large breeds. I think they really need to do more study to determine just how important it is. I do know that's it's really important that a three pound dog never get pregnant.

Hi just a little input..Hollee was spayed at 6mths and weighed 1.3kgs.as were my other yorkies and they lived to good ages with no bone problems. I took Hollee to our vet on Fri last week for stitches out. I asked him about the bone problems when spaying early and he said they see very few bone problems in yorkies except patella problems. He would rather spay then have unwanted litters. In the waiting room was a woman with a 12wk old French poodle ..the result of son catching mom which wasn't planned. Now she was trying to sell the litter.
Hollee has done so well..and I am happy. Ave x

[gemy]

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ml#post4138373

We seem to have lots of questions about this. I have linked to another thread where there is some discussion about this same topic. This thread also contains some links to article and research, and Just a more recent one I have become aware of.

There is also a new 10,000 dog study starting; details I still need to find out. The breed is Golden Retreiver again.

In terms of is it more important to be cautious of early spay with large vs small breed dogs. I believe we don't have any really clear answers right now.
How-ever one important consideration is that FHO surgery which is very successful for small breed dogs, is often not a viable option for the large breed dogs.

[sandy simpson]

I would be very cautious with the small Yorkies. They are so delicate. I would weigh the risks and if it is too risky, I would not do spay my little tiny one.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

I would be very cautious with the small Yorkies. They are so delicate. I would weigh the risks and if it is too risky, I would not do spay my little tiny one.

Many people have thought like you, and five years later and a visiting 7 month male puppy impregnates their tiny, and they change their mind. They always say, "Oh we thought he was too young." If you go to a vet who specializes in toys, and he takes the proper blood tests, to ensure that there are no liver problems, spaying is very safe, and much safer than pregnancy. Don't forget a female dog can get pregnant her entire life, they never go through the "change" like humans do. So be extra careful and never leave your girl for even a few seconds unattended. Panties and diapers will not stop a male. Trust me, we've had too many horror stories posted here, and it's happened to people who had been so careful for years and years. I'd be so worried if I had an unspayed girl, and she would never be allowed outside without a leash on, even though we have a fensed yard.

[MidnightUnicorn]

Originally Posted by ChibiLuv

It is a health risk to not spay, dogs can get pyometras wich are life threatning infections of the uterus. I have seen several dogs die from this complication. Also false pregnancies can cause pain, swelling and diffrent health complications. It is better for the health of the dog to spay. Listen to Bob Barker!

Agreed.

As far as spaying small dogs, find a qualified vet who uses the anesthesia sevoflurane. Most qualified vets spay small animals all the time (like cats). Spaying is a straight-forward surgery. Also, if the owner follows the right post-op care, the yorkie will recover fine.

Over the past two years, my Tatiana recovered fine from dental and spay surgery. She's 3 lbs. And yes, there was general anesthesia for both procedures.