Should I spay my chihuahua?

Question

What are the pros & cons? I heard dogs live longer if u dont spay them. Spaying a dog will make them not have a long life because in spaying them they are getting rid of their hormones cuz they wont get in heat. Is this true????? What should I do. I want my chi to live a long and healthy life

Answer 1

What you heard, is actually opposite of the truth. Spaying a dog, helps it live longer, because you are essentially preventing many reproductive disease.
Many unspayed dogs develop uterine infections, Pyrometra, Mammary tumors, Mastitis, Chylmidia, and other nasty infections due to that the cervix is open widely during a heat, and the suseptable reproductive system from outside bacteria. It can travel through the opened and swollen vulva. Also unspayed female dogs that do not breed, have higher risks of hormonal imbalances and chronic, excessive mental disorders due to fustration of not being able to bred during this stressfull time. Best bet is to just spay her.

ADDITION INFO: When a vet spays a dog, they do NOT remove the entire uterus and ovaries. They do leave some of the reproductive parts inside but render them unusable. They leave it in so that not all the hormones are stop. Hormones play a very important part in a dogs daily life, and if given a complete and total Hysterectomy would prove unbenificial for a dogs health. Leaving too much tissue inside can also be the cause of why some females, while spayed and sterile, can still have false heats, false pregnancy, and pregnancy related symptoms. For anyone intrested in a great explination this link is great!!!!
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1625&articleid=926

Answer 2

The only good reason for not spaying is if you intend to breed your dog. Although there are risks associated with any operation, the pros of having your dog fixed are huge:

Fixed dogs live longer, in general. This could be merely because the people who fix their dogs are more likely to make sure they have no fleas and ticks, no heartworms, and no intestinal worms, or it could be that fixed dogs are less likely to engage in dangerous behaviors. Fixed dogs are less likely to bite and less aggressive, which can be a problem with chis. They won't be breaking out of their fence, or running out the door, to find a mate, or oncoming traffic.

Fixed dogs can get lazy, so watch the food proportions. Chis aren't really able to handle being obese on their dainty frame.

Virtually all vets have done hundreds of spays, so just look for one who has been in business for a while. Talk to the vet who will be doing your spay about what complications can occur. Make certain that you have a vet who is familiar with chihuahuas; some rural vets are more familiar with cattle and working dogs than wee little chis.

To live a long and healthy life, chis need more protien than most dogs. Look for the highest protien content you can get. Dry dog or puppy food is the best option, but some chis patently refuse to eat for days until something else is offered. For particularly finicky chis, I have heard of feeding kitten food in the morning for protein and teeth, and then canned dog food at night, but again, talk to the vet.

There is also a new innoculation for dental problems. These plague chis more than most dogs, so ask the vet about that, too.

Good luck and happy chihuahua!

Answer 3

Most Vets recommend waiting until the dog is six mos old to spay. BUT ONLY GO BY THE ADVICE OF THE VET. The reason for this is some are very tiny and spaying can be too traumatic on a very tiny dog, from the surgery to the anesthesia. Neutering is different and is not as invasive as spaying or nearly as risky.

Answer 4

Spaying prevents some cancers that females are prone to getting if they have pups or aren't spayed. They will gain a little weight and slow down on their activity. You will have peace of mind by not dealing with the mess of bloody spots from the heat process or deal with the excitability that comes with it. If you did not have intentions on breeding her then go ahead and have her spayed. It will not shorten her life and you should have her for many years to come they live to be 13 to 18 years old and sometimes longer.

Answer 5

When a dog is spayed it is taking out their ovaries and uterus. This means that it eliminates the heat cycle, and it also eliminates health problems like uterine cancer, pyometra (puss filled uterus which can be deadly), and other uterine involved health problems. And it also eliminates any accidental puppies. Any dog that is not being used for breeding or showing purposes should be spayed. There are too many puppies that end up in local animal shelters. I think spaying is the best thing for your dog, you should talk to your veterinarian if you have any other questions.

Answer 6

You will not only be giving your dog a longer and heathier life if you spay her for all the reasons other posters have indicated (reduced risk of pyometra, mammary cancer and so on), you will be preventing more unwanted puppies being born in a world where there are already too many dogs than there are loving homes. Spay surgery is very routine and very safe. Also, think about it, women who've had hysterectomies don't live shorter lives - it's exactly the same for dogs. She will do fine. Please do get her spayed.

Answer 7

Your are right in a sense.

What the people above me fail to tell you as that when you spay or neuter your dog, you get rid of the chance to get certain cancers, while raising the chance of the dog getting others, especially if done at to early an age.

Some vets are now starting to question just how much of a benefit spaying or neutering there really is. This is something that most people just won't tell you.

Spaying or neutering your dog is a choice that only you can make. Do not allow anyone to make that choice for you and especially do not do it because it's the politically correct thing to do.

Answer 8

Yes- there will be blood every six months for about 3 weeks at a time. It does not hurt them in any way to be in heat so don't concern yourself with that. Has your vet indicated it might be harmful to have her spayed? Quite frankly, unless a bit** is showing and I am doing health testing on her, I don't keep her intact. It's a pain in the behind.

Answer 9

Please DO spay her. It will get rid of the problem of her coming in heat and the danger of her getting cancerous growths.
I had never heard that spaying would shorten a dog's life. I have spayed and neutered all my pets and had a shih tzu that lived to be 19! (She was spayed at 6 months).
You sound like a good pet parent. Enjoy that baby!

Answer 10

the more times a femal dog goes into heat the higher the likelyhood of her getting cancer. so, YES you should spay her because THAT will make her LIVE longer!!!!!!!