Did you regret spaying/neutering your Yorkie?

[ErinSymone]

I know that there are many health benefits when it comes to 'fixing' your dog, but my family kind of regrets having my Yorkie Maddy spayed.

Our vet is AWESOME, but I feel like we weren't thorougly informed about the nature of the surgery. For example, we didn't know that we weren't supposed to feed Maddy before the surgery; so we're lucky that didn't complicate anything.

Also, Maddy was just PATHETIC after her surgery. She didn't move at all. She wouldn't eat or anything. My mom couldn't help but cry. It was very hard seeing our baby like that. It was days before Maddy had her strength back. It was about a week before she started eating solid food again (she had been only eating canned food).

We were told that Maddy's stitches could be removed a week after the surgery, but when we went to the vet, they said that her cut was abnormally swollen; so we had to wait 3 more days before they could be removed. We don't even know why it was swollen - Maddy had been resting and wearing her cone just like they told us.

Anyway, I feel like the consequences of fixing your Yorkie should be discussed more before you make the decision. I think my family decided to spay Maddy because we're new dog owners & we felt like we needed to do EVERYTHING the vet said do, but now we kind of regret having Maddy spayed. She hasn't been the same ever since. Has anyone else regretted fixing their Yorkie?

[Ellie May]

How long ago was this?

Nope, no regrets whatsoever. Look at a picture of a pyometra removed from a dog and you won't have regrets either.

A lot of this sounds like vet issues more than spay issues.
The staff should have told you to fast her.
Stitches should be left in for 10-14 days.
Pain meds should have been given (were they?).
Also, if they are out of it for that long, I'd wonder 1) were pain meds given, 2) what anesthesia was used, and 3) is there an underlying health issue making anesthesia and/or pain meds harder on the dog. Was bloodwork done pre-spay? Has this pup ever had a bile acids test?

My girl was completely out of it the first day, then she started coming around. She was pretty snappy for a couple months while hormones regulared, but then returned to normal. She was spayed at age 6.

[JESSY_RN2B]

No, never regreted it. I can't imagine how others deal with a bleeding female and leg-lifting male. Any surgery is not fun but the benefits usually outweigh the risks.

My females have always recovered fast and I kept them comfortable on pain meds. You have to have a trusting vet, and know the follow up plan of care prior to surgery.

I am sorry about your baby. Hope she is all healed up and good now.

[ErinSymone]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

How long ago was this?

Nope, no regrets whatsoever. Look at a picture of a pyometra removed from a dog and you won't have regrets either.

A lot of this sounds like vet issues more than spay issues.
The staff should have told you to fast her.
Stitches should be left in for 10-14 days.
Pain meds should have been given (were they?).
Also, if they are out of it for that long, I'd wonder 1) were pain meds given, 2) what anesthesia was used, and 3) is there an underlying health issue making anesthesia and/or pain meds harder on the dog. Was bloodwork done pre-spay? Has this pup ever had a bile acids test?

My girl was completely out of it the first day, then she started coming around. She was pretty snappy for a couple months while hormones regulared, but then returned to normal. She was spayed at age 6.

Well, Maddy's stitches were left in for 10 days. Pain meds were given, but only 4 days worth. I'm not sure of the anethesia used and the bloodwork or tests. :/

[RileyDC]

I don't regret Neutering Riley, at all....
He was a little groggy that afternoon, but acted as if nothing happened by the next day. It was actually difficult keeping him from jumping and playing.....

I did it at exactly 6-months, and the only thing is.....perhaps I should have waited a couple of months inasmuch as I had to take him back in just 2 months later to have him put back under to remove his upper baby canines, which never fell out... so that was another $400 and some change!! I was NOT Happy about that.... Not necessarily the $$$$ but him having to go under a Second time and another recovery.

But my vet was all for scheduling him at 6-months. I feel like maybe she should have advised me to wait a couple of months.... or she should have taken them out, at the time of neutering.

She did mention to me when I went to get him that he was retaining a couple of baby teeth and that she was hoping they would come out on their own..... I do recall him losing a few teeth between the neutering and the removal of the baby canines.

[Britster]

Nope, don't regret it at all. My boy was back to normal within 2-3 days, and still at 2 1/2 years old is his active spunky self.

[jadabug]

I would never have a pet that wasn't spayed or neutered. The benefits far outweigh the risks IMO. It does sound like this issue is more with your vet than with the procedure itself. I hope your little girl gets back to normal soon.

[Rhetts_mama]

Nope, no regrets. The temporary discomfort that comes from spaying/neutering was more than outweighed by the benefits. No marking, no messy heats, no unintended whelps, no male going nuts when a female in the neighborhood is in heat, eliminated risks of cancer.

[Jennxling]

I don't regret it. Emma's been spayed for almost a year and I can still feel her left-in stitches, which is now a scar. Having my babies spayed & neutered is so much easier as I don't have to worry about them getting pregnant, marking, aggression, etc. Carmel is way less aggressive/possessive than before surgery. I did hear bitches that get spayed gain weight...however, Emma didn't...that would have been great if that happened. lol

[ArmaniMan]

Nope not at all. My male bounced back the same day we brought him home- my female had a more extensive surgery then most and it took her a good week or more to be herself again and I still have no regrets. That short bit of recovery time is nothing compared to all the heats they would go through in their life and all the possible complications like pyo and mammary cancer that can result without a spay. I would never have a family pet that was not altered- I leave breeding to the experts- and in my opinion they are the only ones who need intact animals.

[capt_noonie]

Getting Uni spayed was the *best* decision I ever made for her. I feel like a responsible pet owner.

Now for the OP, I feel like it was more that a less than adequate vet and staff. They should have told you to fast her. They should have explained to you more thoroughly. Stitches are usually kept in up to 14 days, not one week. The vet should have used ISO for anesthesia, and should have recommended pre-op bloodwork. Have you had much experience with this vet? Was it a low cost spay/neuter clinic? I waited until Uni was almost 4 until I got her spayed bc I did not find a vet I loved until then. How old is Maddy btw?

[Jennxling]

I don't regret it. Emma's been spayed for almost a year and I can still feel her left-in stitches, which is now a scar. Having my babies spayed & neutered is so much easier as I don't have to worry about them getting pregnant, marking, aggression, etc. Carmel is way less aggressive/possessive than before surgery. I did hear bitches that get spayed gain weight...however, Emma didn't...that would have been great if that happened. lol

[Princess10]

I got Princess spayed about 3 months ago at the age of 14 months. She had pain meds for 4 days & was pretty out of it during that time. The first day without any meds she was getting back to her normal, hyper self.

I don't regret doing it at all. It almost feels like a weight off my shoulders, one less thing to worry about. It does sound like a vet issue, I was given pre & post-op instructions to follow to help things go smoothly, it seems like the vet would've done at least that. I also thought it was the norm to use the stitches that don't need to be removed.

[MaddiesMommie]

I have no regrets what-so-ever.

I am sorry you had a bad experience.
I agree with Crystal, this sounds like your experience is more of a vet issue than the spay procedure. I had a pre-op visit where all bloodwork was done, anesthesia was discussed, as well as pre and post surgery directions. (I was even given a copy of these to take home.)

[susan lynn]

I have always had all my pets spay/neutered. I have an excellent vet and have complete trust in him and his staff. I do not regret it and it is a blessing I have never had any problems. My Sassy will be spayed on June 14th. Sorry you had a bad experience.