Risks of spaying a small dog?

Question

I want to have my small 10 lb JRT spayed, but I am having so much anxiety over the procedure, does anyone have any info to share?

Answer 1

Talk to your Vet who will be doing the surgery to get some reassurance abou this. Dogs are routinely spayed even at very young ages in Animal Shelters and it is extremely rare for there to be complications.There is more of a risk of your dog getting certain types of cancers from not being spayed and not having puppies than there is if you get her spayed. And more risks to her health if you don't get her spayed and breed her. You are doing a good thing for your dog. I got a puppy from Animal Control that had been spayed at a very early age and had apparently gotten very hyper in her cage at the shelter after the spaying, jumping up and down and got a hernia in the area of her incision. She had to go back in for surgery because of that, but that doesn't usually happen. There were no complications to that surgery although I had to try to keep her less active for a few days. Also because she was so active the Vet stitched her extra good after that surgery.

Answer 2

Your best resource is your vet.

There are risks involved whether they are operating on a 10 pound dog, or 100 pound dog. As with humans, complications can occur, although it is RARE. The benefits FAR out-way the risks!

The vet will recommend a PAP -pre-anesthetic blood panel. Take this opportunity to have one done. It can show any underlying medical condition, oncoming infection, etc. that may change the anesthesia used or might delay the operation. This is also a good chart to have on hand for future reference to check what may be normal for your pet in the future.

Also, be aware that your dog senses your anxiety. You need to settle yourself down and be calm, or you will scare your dog, too. It may be nice to have a cotton ball dabbed with lavender oil for the car ride to the vet to settle BOTH you and the dog.

You are making the right decision to spay!! Everything will be just fine!

Answer 3

Just talk to your vet. Spaying is a common and safe procedure. There is risk involved with everything in life, even crossing a street. The rescue group I work with spays and neuters about 1000 animals a year and we have never lost one due to surgery.

Thank you for being responsible and taking care of your dog!!! The rescue community thanks you!

Answer 4

Good for you for wanting to spay your dog!

Spaying any animal decreases the risk for cancers like ovarian cancer and uterine cancer because there is no uterus or ovaries to become cancerous.

Not spaying the dog means having to deal with her estrus cycle, or heat, meaning cleaning up blood or changing doggie diapers, which to me is soooo not appealing.

Go in, sit down with your vet, share your concerns and feelings with him/her. A spay is a very common procedure and the dog heals relatively easily, with proper aftercare.

Here are some links to help find low-cost spays for your JRT
http://www.pets911.com/services/spayneuter/locations.php
http://www.spayusa.org

Answer 5

At 10 pounds she is not hte smallest thing to ever be spayed.
I had a rabbit done and it was a dawrf that only weighed 3 pounds.
She came thruogh fine no problems at all.
The risk of cancer and pyometra for your dog far out weigh the risk of the spay suregery.
Find a vet you teust and have her done for her health.

Answer 6

My puppy was spayed at 11 weeks (She was about 4 lbs. at the time). She's now a 8.6 lb. Yorkie/Chihuahua mix. She had no problems whatsoever. Healed within a week and was back to her old spunky self. Shelters require they be spayed at this age to prevent breeding of more unwanted puppies.

Answer 7

There is always the risk but odds are she will be just fine.Thousands are done everyday....So take your baby and get it done and when she is home and fine be sure to send your vet a note telling them what a Great Job they did and how HAPPY YOU ARE... She will be ok HAVE A GREAT DAY