My 9 month old puppy is getting spayed in a few weeks and I am a nervous wreck!?

Question

Her name is Mika and she is a 14 pound teckel (dachshund) I am really worried something is going to happen, like she will not wake up, or she will bleed, or she will die on the table..I do not know why I am thinking these things. I am really worried for her. She is my best friend, she is very intelligent, and so cute, and loving and proud. I am afraid of her suffering as well. She has never been alone and the vet wants to keep her two nights. He says they keep the animals one night before the operation so that the pets get use to their new enviroment and during the operation the heart rate is alot lower than pets that come in the day of the operation. Stress or something. I can not believe I am so worried. I know its best for her, (I hope) reduces the chance of cancer, unwanted pregnancies, etc..but I am terrified for her. Anyone ever feel the same way? What should I do?

Answer 1

It's always hard when you have to take your pet to the vet. I
always tell my husband, that I'm not leaving my dog there, no
matter what. But when it's time for them to get spayed, it's not
as hard on the dog as you may think. Dropping them off is
the hardest part. I always cry. They do need to stay at the
vet, and most of the time after the operation, they will be
sleeping. They recover pretty fast from this, and you will be
glad you had it done after. I am sure there is nothing for you to
worry about. It's nice to hear how much someone else loves
their pet.

Answer 2

Calm down. Vets do this operation thousands of times and it is safe. That doesn't say something could happen because it could, but don't put negative thoughts out into the universe. Believe all will be well and it will. Your dog will be in great hands and they take such good care of dogs after surgery. Believe me, I take care of them, they stay near the vets while recovering from anesthesia so they can keep an eye on them. They make sure everything is ok. Stop worrying. Get that attitude right for your dogs sake. Think positive.

Answer 3

First, I highly recommend a new vet. You do not need to leave your poor dog there for 2 nights. That is utterly ridiculous. Basically, you should take her in early in the morning (around 7am at most clinics) on the day of the spay. She should then be available for pick up that SAME DAY in the evening. I think your vet only wants to keep her 2 days to get more money out of you, because otherwise it is incredibly odd to keep a dog 2 days.

Don't worry about pain, because a good vet will give her up to a week supply of pain killers, usually Rimadyl. Most female dogs feel back to normal in just 2 days after a spay.

Spaying your dog is not a dangerous procedure, and it is really good for her health. If you get her spayed, she won't have to suffer through mammary gland (breast) cancer when she gets older, like my dog did. You will save her from large extensive surgeries and other harsh treatments related to cancer.

Anyway, I highly recommend that you get a new vet for the spay. I have worked in vet clinics, shelters, and I am very active in animal rescue. I can tell you for sure that it is not necessary or usual to have a dog kept from her human 2 days for a spay. If anything, you should get her that same day (or the next morning after surgery) so she can be with YOU and in her home environment. Many dogs do better after a surgery if they can be with their owner ASAP after surgery. It makes a big difference.

Answer 4

I had my spaniel spayed and was nervous about whether I'd made the right decision or not, but the op itself was fine. She was in and out the same day with instructions not to let her run around or jump for a while - which was the toughest thing out of the whole process! Just remember to cut down her diet once she's been done as she'll need less food - although it's a fine line to walk when she's still a puppy. Your vet should be able to guide you through how much to feed her and when to reduce puppy feeding for adult feeding. It's definitely worth doing though as it does dramatically reduce the risk of cancer. And no messy seasons to cope with either! Good luck.

Answer 5

Your fears are a normal reaction. You feel out of control, and for the time she is in surgery, you are out of control. Here are a few things you can do. Tell yourself positive things (she will be better off without her reproductive organs, she will enjoy a longer life, it greatly reduces the risk of cancer, no unwanted pregnancies). Talk about your fears with the veterinarian. They have seen every emotion known to man. They will take the best care of your little pet, and she will be fine. After surgery, please insist that she is discharged with antibiotic medication and pain medication. This will keep her healthy and pain free while she heals. They may try to talk you out of these meds, saying that they're not necessary. But please, for the best interest of your little friend, insist on these two meds. You will both rest much better knowing that she is protected from infection and that her pain is being controlled.

Answer 6

Oh I am the same way! I am picking up my Chi pup in a few weeks, and then soon after I'm getting her spayed. I'm already scared to death!

I'm sure everything will be fine, though. I've had around twenty pets fixed in my lifetime, and nothing bad has happened to any of them. The worst I've even heard of (from friends) is that the dog has to stay an extra night or two.

Answer 7

Relax! Your baby will be just fine.What is Spaying?:
Spaying, also called an Ovariohysterectomy, removes the uterus and ovaries of a female animal, preventing estrus entirely.
Spaying is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy in female dogs or cats.
Early age spaying, before the dog reaches her first heat cycle, can almost entirely eliminate the risk of certain cancers and infections. Waiting until after her first heat increases the risk significantly, as much as 50% by the age of two.

What are the Health Benefits?:
Spaying before the first heat can nearly remove the risk of mammary tumours in female dogs if spayed before their first heat.

False pregnancies are eliminated, and all their resulting stress.

Early spaying prevents ovarian and uterine tumours.

Uterine infections are also completely prevented.

Spaying prevents accidental pregnancies and the attendant risks involved.

What are the Behavioral Benefits?:
A spayed female is much more comfortable than her unaltered peers.

By removing her hormone-producing ovaries, you also remove the mood swings that can make your ***** seem ... well ... bitchy.

There will be no more bloodstains on the carpet or bedding.

No more male dogs trying to break down your fence to reach her.

Answer 8

I've had 2 dogs, and 4 cats spayed and or neutered.
Trust me, all of them were fine (yes I did worry a bit) I'm assuming that it's your first time having a pet go through surgery, but it'll be fine.

For the first few days after the surgery when you take her home, she won't act normal, she'll probably act scared and nervous, and will be very tender. After a few days she'll be fine and will be as energetic (or lazy, in some cases) as she ever was.

Answer 9

OOOOHHHH YES!! It does sound a little strange, but pets do "move in on us". I was upset about getting my Mini Pin spayed, but you wouldn' believe how carful a good vet is on something like that, and your dog will live about three years longer. It is not an easy surgery, however, and she will be sore for a week or so. Try not to let her jump up or down (like off a chair or couch). That really HURTS. Keep your eyes on her too, as she may want to chew on the stiches. And try not to worry too much--they very seldom loose one! Follow your vet's council, and she will be just fine! (I think it's normal to worry about those we love.

Answer 10

Sweetie, I run an animal rescue (specifically small breed dogs), and out of the literally HUNDREDS of dogs that I have dealt with over the years, not a single one of them was lost to spay/neuter surgery.

Having your animal fixed is a good thing.....it prevents several illnesses in the animal's future (mammary tumors for the females, testicular cancer for the males just to name 2), and it also tends to make them calmer and more loving. The surgery itself is fairly quick......it's the recovery time that takes the longest (that's why the vet will usually keep the animal overnight).

They only give enough sedation to ensure the animal is completely asleep, and they monitor the breathing and heart rates closely. The surgery itself takes about 20 minutes for a male, and 30 for a female.

Trust me, sweetie, your baby will be fine, and will thank you later for it!!!