risks of spaying vs. not spaying a 2kg chihuahua?

Question

Hi,
I had always said that when she reached 6 months, my puppy would be spayed but her first season came at that time so I knew we needed to wait the few months after that.. she is nearly nine months old but I just find her so small and think the operation could have so many complications compared to that of a larger dog..

I know if I put her through it and there were complications I would never forgive myself... but, at the same time... I really worry about the risks of pyometra..

so I was wondering what everyone's experiences are with pyometra and also spaying of small dogs and whether or not you think it is necessary?

Also,since her season, her milk glands have been a bit more swollen... is this normal?

Please only post positive or helpful advice... No insults or abuse :)

Thank you in advance :)

Thank you for all of your answers,

I know spaying is a lot more invasive than many people seem to be mentioning on their answers though and this worries me more than the anaesthetic side of the operation.. I have heard and read articles from vets saying that no spaying operation is routine... I have a male dog who has been neutered as i know this is a much less dangerous operation for the male than the female.

The risk of pregnancy does not worry me as much as the health risks of Pyometra.. I know the implications of unwanted litters but, in particular I wanted to know what people thought about the risks of illness as a result of spaying and also as a result of not spaying.

I will have to wait a few more weeks before I can make the decision but I will chat to the vet then and my obedience class leader and see howI feel then.

Thanks again

Answer 1

After a season most vets advise that you have to wait at least 2 months for the womb to fully shrink - the hormones that are still in your girls system may be causing her milk glands to swell and you will notice this decreasing as they wear off.
There are risks associated with spaying - but your vet will know what they are doing. Its a tough decision but in your position I would go for it - if you don't - you will always worry about pyometra and male dogs chasing her - and imagine if she was mated - it could kill her.
She'll be safer in the long term.

Answer 2

You're right, theres always a risk with any operation. Against that you have to weigh up the risk to your dog if she has an unplanned litter by a bigger dog, or pyometra.
You can protect her against unwanted pups, but the only thing you can do about pyometra is learn the symptoms and get her treatment straight away.

There are new anaesthetics being developed all the time, particularly for older and small animals, so the risk is probably lower than you think. But if your dog develops pyometra she faces being spayed while she is ill instead of healthy.
Have a chat with your vet and get their opinion on the risks. Your vet can give you a realistic opinion on the risks for and against spaying based on statistics, and is the best person to do that.

Answer 3

There are no complications because of size! Veternarians spay large dogs and small dogs all the time. They also spay small and large cats so they have lots of practice. All dogs should be spayed in my opinion unless you want puppies and let me tell you when a dog gets into heat there is only one thing on her mind and that is breeding. Any male within 10 miles will smell her and come to attempt to breed with her (even a large dog). There is no point in keeping a female intact unless you want to breed her. Then you need to know what you are doing.
I used to work in an animal facility and my boss spayed a rat once. It is a simple operation and has few complications.

Answer 4

My chihuahua was spayed at 1.7kg with no problems. However my 1.3kg chi hasnt been spayed yet as i was a bit concerned about her size, even though she wont grow any more, she will be done soon. It is much better to have her spayed, for her as well as you, it is no fun having a female in season. Although the cancer risks etc are supposedly slightly increased for her as she has already had her first season, if she is spayed soon after it, they are considerably negligable.

Vets are very experienced with this sort of thing. It is the most routine operation. If you think about it, they spay much smaller animals, such as ferrets or guinea pigs, so she should be fine :)

Answer 5

Spay her.. the risks from anaesthetic are very small... the risk of getting a pyo is quite high.. i work in a vets and have seen many dogs on deaths door due to this... its caused by a bacterial infection... if you lucky its an open one..(puss drips out) if your unlucky it doesnt and you dont kno they have it untill its too late.. then its a general anaesthetic anyway but with much higher risk.. and very high cost... if you go to a vets with qualified nurses you will be fine.. my surgery does ***** spays by keyhole surgery its a lot less intrusive and healing time is much quicker as no stitches...Spay her now..!!!!

Answer 6

I understand your concern. As with any surgery, there are risks, but size has nothing to so with it. There could be complications with the anesthesia - it's not likely, but it does occasionally happen. However, there are risks that you will incur without getting her spayed. She could end up pregnant and complications could arise from that - unable to deliver on her own (which small dogs have anyway) and that will require surgery. I DO think it's necessary to get her spayed. You will avoid unwanted pregnancies and the mess of her being in heat. You will be much happier. Make a responsible decision.....

I have 2 poms, (both are spayed) one is 3 pounds, I had her spayed without incident.

Please read about Pyometra - I got it from wikipedia. Please note the last paragraph, "SURGICAL TREATMENT".

Pyometra is a result of hormonal and structural changes in the uterus lining. This can happen at any age, whether she has bred or not, and whether it is her 1st or 10th heat (although it becomes more common as the dog get older). The main risk period for a female is for eight weeks after her peak standing heat (or estrus cycle) has ended. [1] Normally during this period, the cervix, which was open during her heat, begins to close, and the inner lining begins to adapt back to normal. However, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) may occur at this time in some bitches.

Cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) occurs as an inappropriate response to progesterone. Bacteria (especially E. coli) that have migrated from the vagina into the uterus find the environment favorable to growth, especially since progesterone also causes mucus secretion, closes the cervix (preventing uterine drainage), and decreases uterine contractility.[2] Bitches that have received estradiol as a mismating shot in diestrus are at risk for more severe disease because estrogen increases the number of progesterone receptors in the endometrium. 25 percent of bitches receiving estradiol in diestrus develop pyometra. [3] Pyometra is less common in female cats because progesterone is only released by the ovaries after mating.[4]

The condition of the cervix also determines the severity of the disease.

* If the cervix is open, the infected material can leave the body, and this is far easier and safer to treat. This is known as open pyometra.
* If the cervix is fully closed, there is no discharge from the vulva, and like in appendicitis, the uterus may rupture and pus escapes into the abdomen, causing peritonitis and possible rapid death. This is known as closed pyometra.[5]

Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of pyometra is a discharge of pus from the vulva in a ***** that has recently been in heat. However, this is only seen with open pyometra. More general symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and increased drinking and urinating.[6] Fever is seen in less than a third of bitches with pyometra. [1] Bloodwork may show dehydration, increased white blood cell count, and increased alkaline phosphatase. X-rays will show an enlarged uterus, and ultrasound will confirm the presence of a fluid filled uterus.[3]

Treatment

The most important aspect of treatment of pyometra is quick action. Bitches are often septic and in shock (see septic shock)[6]. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics should be given immediately. The treatment of choice is an emergency spay[4], to remove the infected organ, but as this prevents a ***** from breeding it is worth noting that some advances have been made in treating pyometra with longterm antibiotics and an agent to cause contraction of the uterus and expulsion of the pus.

Surgical treatment

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) completely and promptly removes the infection, prevents uterine rupture and peritonitis, and of course prevents recurrence. It is the most effective and safest treatment.

Answer 7

Vets now routinely spay pups as young as 8 -12 weeks so many are the size of your Chi.
It is much safer to spay her than to risk pyometras and she will not get mamary cancer. Most dogs who are not spayed who live long enough will end up with mamary tumors. Each heat cycle she goes through will increase her risk of it. You are far better off to spay.
Her nipples should shrink back up after a month or so and will really shrink up after she is spayed as her body will no longer be producing hormones to make them swolen.

Answer 8

Always, with any surgery there are risks. Consult a veterinarian for a full view of risks and benefits. But consider this, if she goes into heat again, and a larger dog happens to "jump the fence", a dog her size may not be able to handle that, or the resulting pregnancy. There are risks on both sides.

Answer 9

Despite what the majority say on here, spaying is not a black & white issue, the advantages are not all on the side of spaying. It has to be your decision although I don't think size is a real matter of concern - your Chi is the size of a cat & look how many of them are spayed without problem.
This site gives some food for thought though!
http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

Answer 10

Find a vet that does prepubescent spay and neuters.

The usual complication with spay is a vet dropping the overie and having to dig for it. So be sure your vet has steady young youthful eyes and hands. (It rarely happens) The other is the anesthesia. Some dogs can be allergic but their are tests they can do before surgery to prevent this.

Spaying greatly reduces breast cancer you do need to bite the bullet and get her done. Find a female vet that won't mind you hanging out in the waiting room.