Risks involved in spaying a dog?

Question

Ok... I have two female basset hounds and I want to get them fixed before they go into their next heat cycles, but I am worried about them maybe having complications in surgery... I don't want to risk putting them in harm, but I know that it is best for them... Someone please tell me if saying can be a dangerous surgery... They are 1 1/2 years old...

Answer 1

Although there is a risk with any surgery, I've had many females spayed with no complications whatsoever. My 8 year old girl is "recovering" right now from being spayed, she gets her stitches out on Saturday. She was back to her normal self by the second day after the surgery (had a dental and 4 teeth out at the same time).

Answer 2

There are certainly more benefits then risks.Dogs who are not spayed BEFORE their first heat have an 85% of getting cancer in their mammary glands. I can think of one danger of spaying and that would be if the dog had a bad Von Willenbrand factor. This is a bleeding disorder and a dog can bleed to death right on the table. I know of a litter of pups which numbered 8 until the tails were docked at which time all but two died of Von Willenbrands. Not likely though and spaying is the best idea. If it worries you have a simple blood test done. Some breeds are much more affected than others.

Answer 3

In the long run, no. It's better to get them spayed if you do not want puppies. One thing though, most vets around here will NOT spay a dog that is in heat or is pregnant. Apparently, to spay a dog in this condition messes with their hormones too much. Not to mention, very cruel to the poor pups inside mama! And, ask how the vet intends to seal the wound. A new trick is to use some sort of glue--no kidding!--to hold the wound shut for a week. I didn't like the idea, but it's the latest wave, apparently.

Answer 4

hello, i work at a rescue and have had work experience with the vets. It is a routine operation, and most vets will do pre-op bloods before hand.

This, although many people see it as pointless, ensures that the dog has no defiencies and deterines whether or not it is safe for the op to go ahead. I have never heard of a dog dying or having major complications after spays. The only thing you must do is make sure that the wound stays clean so that there is no risk of infection.

Answer 5

Usually a spay is very very routine. Be sure that bloodwork is done before the spay to ensure that both of them have no hidden organ problems. Also see if you can find a clinic that uses laser rather than scalpel for surgery. Laser surgery speeds recovery greatly, with laser surgery most pets are back to normal within a day or so. With them being so young the surgery will most likely go super smooth, no worries.

Answer 6

The risk is in not getting them spayed. If you get a female dog spayed before her second heat then you cut their risk of cancer by an average of 75%. Plus you save yourself a whole lot of hassle and the dogs a lot of discomfort. I just had my dog spayed and she was groggy and whiney the day of the surgery but she was pretty much back to her old self after about 2 days. It's been exactly a week and you would never know she just had surgery. Do it for the dogs, they'll live longer!

Answer 7

All surgery does carry some risk, however spay surgery is very routine and a very low risk surgery. Recovery is quick.Thousands of sapys are performed daily. The risk of mammary cancer or pyometria is higher then any risk from spay surgery.

Answer 8

There are always risks in any time of surgery even a simple dental cleaning. But not getting your dog spayed poses a risk also.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
*They are less inclined to roam or fight.
*They are generally more affectionate.
*Dog license fees are 1/2 the cost.
*Spayed/neutered pets do not get fat and lazy.
*Spaying and neutering can be done as early as four months of age.
*Your female pet can be spayed while in heat or pregnant.
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Spay/Neuter General Information
Spaying (ovario-hysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes) of the female animal. Neutering (orchectomy or castration) is the surgical removal of the reproductive glands (testes) of the male animal. The outer is left, only the testes are removed. Appearance depends upon the dog's age at the time of the surgery.

Females and males should be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age. Currently some clinics are performing surgeries on animals as young as 8 weeks of age. As this procedure becomes more common, perhaps it will be available in this area. Older animals can be done as long as they are in good health. All sterilization surgery is performed under general anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian.

Female dogs and cats can be spayed when in heat or pregnant. This can usually be done up until a few days before delivery. These surgeries can take longer, and can therefore cost more. Spaying before having a first litter or heat cycle is usually a simpler procedure.

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Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Spayed animals no longer feel the need to roam to look for a mate. The result is that they stay home and have less chance of being involved in traumatic accidents such as being hit by a car. They also have a much lower incidence of contracting contagious diseases, and get into fewer fights.

In Females, spaying decreases the incidence of breast cancer (the rate goes down to almost zero if the spaying is done before the first heat cycle!). It eliminates the chance of developing a serious and potentially fatal infection of the uterus experienced by many mature unspayed animals (pyometra). Spay surgery also eliminates the heat cycle and associated mood swings and undesirable behaviors, messy spotting (in dogs) and the attraction of all available males to your yard.

The simple fact is that spaying and neutering greatly increases the lifespan of your pet and increases quality of life as well!

Answer 9

Veterinarians performs thousands of these every year the risk is so minimal in fact the only worry should really come from the anesthesia.
Don't worry about your girls they will be fine.
Your vet will explain everything to you before the surgery and should be able to put you at ease.

Answer 10

I have had MANY dogs, over the past 39 years of being a breeder.. Nearly all of my females have died of something that could have been avoided if they had been spayed...I have lost one during whelping, one to pyometra, and others to 'female' cancers. Even though most have lived well into their teens, I would have had a few years longer with them if they had been spayed.
I have one that was spayed at 7 years old (last summer) that was beginning to get mamary tumors. . When they are spayed, they have a much better chance for a longer life..