I've heard that being in heat can cause complications during the spaying surgery, and I'm not sure if she's been in heat already or not- I've never noticed any blood or anything. I've been putting off the surgery because I've had no time off until this summer. Now that I have a few days off, I want to get her spayed, but I know I'm going to get asked if she's been in heat yet since she's an older puppy now. I don't want to say 'no' and then they do the surgery and there be complications.
Is there really that much more risk?
2007-06-06 04:59:52 · 8 answers · asked by shaylbk 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
With a small dog, it can be difficult to tell if they are in heat or not. I've heard people say if you spay a dog while she is in heat, it can cause prolonged bleeding in the surgical site, but I don't know for sure.
Any surgery runs the risk of a complication, especially in smaller breeds, your vet can definitely advise you on that. Main worries are anaesthesia related in smaller and toy breeds.
I'm sure if you ask your vet, they will be able to assess her risk. In the long run, it is usually a small risk, and they usually advise to spay dogs, unless they are really old, in bad health, or the vet thinks they wouldn't survive the surgery for any other reason.
Good luck! And kudos to you for deciding to spay her, she will be healthier in the long run, and no unwanted pups!
=]
2007-06-06 05:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by H3yd00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a dog that is already past a heat cycle doesn't pose any more risk than one that hasn't had a cycle. (***If the vet asks, honestly tell them that you don't know)
When the surgery is performed WHILE the dog is in heat, there is more risk and pain because of the amount of blood that is involved (plus it can be 3-4 times the cost, depending on your vet).
I would schedule the spay, but also schedule a vet appointment 2-3 days prior (maybe even the day before) so that the vet can evaluate her. Sometimes their first heat doesn't have any blood, or very little, so give the vet time to check.
Your vet may do the spay when your puppy is in heat, and may not charge you any more than if she wasn't in heat, and you can ask those questions during your appointment.
Keep in mind that you will also have to provide a quiet place for her 4 - 7 days after the surgery so she can heal. Her first day she will still probably be a little groggy from the surgery, which is normal, although some dogs hop right back.
2007-06-06 05:07:51 · answer #2 · answered by T H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above poster is right about the dog being in heat. Its best to do surgery when the dog isnt in heat only because the blood flow wont be as increased as it would be when she is in heat.
Aside from that, I have to strongly suggest that you wait until she is at LEAST a year old before getting her spayed. My mom breeds yorkies and we lost one because we got her fixed too soon. She was running around teasing the boys but she was too small to breed and was only intended as being a house pet. So to prevent any accidents from happening, we took her in to get fixed. The vet we used for years has always been great but he hadnt fixed any of our dogs before (this was way back when my mom first began breeding and we didnt have that many dogs) So he thought a dog was a dog and treated her as such. He took all the precautions, tested her blood and whatnot, put her under, did the surgery, and sent her home. Well, she never came out of the anesthesia. After consulting another vet, she found out that small dogs, especially yorkies, need a special anesthetic and the proceedure is much different. Their bodies are still too small and weak when they are puppies to handle the proceedure and it can be incredibly dangerous. The best thing to do is wait until they are a year old and then discuss what to do.
Please talk with your vet and find out the exact proceedure that they will be doing and discuss dangers and complications. Also find out the sucess rate that specific doctor has. I know its an awkward thing to ask, but this is your baby and you have the right to know. If he has even a few loses on the table, go to another vet.
I cant stress this enough. The vet will know if she is in heat or not and tell you to come back another time when it is over. If thats the case, you shouldnt have to pay another visit fee. That is not what you should be concerned about. Not every vet is knowledgable about the smaller of the toy breeds. Make sure your vet knows what he's talking about and that your baby is safe.
2007-06-06 05:24:04 · answer #3 · answered by lanaii_the_wolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the loss of blood during surgery that is what all the concern is about. Estrus (heat) greatly increase the blood flow to the uterus - which increases blood loss during surgery. That's why, barring a life/death emergency, vets prefer to wait until a dog's heat cycle is over before any kind of surgery - especially spaying.
See, in a tiny dog like yours, there isn't a whole lot of blood to lose - so be sure you speak with your vet - and truly be honest with him/her about not knowing whether she has been in heat.
2007-06-06 05:10:59 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she will be fine, even if she is on heat they can still get her spayed but they will charge you more, I have a 4 pound female chihuahua and at first I was worried but I went ahead and got her spayed and everything went fine, there were no complications just make sure you ask your vet for pain killers.
2007-06-06 05:09:04 · answer #5 · answered by cecilia b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't ask here. Call your vet. I don't think it matters at all if they have had their first heat. Many young pups are spayed with no problems at all. You will be amazed at how quickly she bounces back.
2007-06-06 05:05:18 · answer #6 · answered by Bev 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Josie, Minx, Maddie, Barbie
2016-05-18 00:37:11 · answer #7 · answered by renetta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had both my Yorkies done, and they were well under 6 lbs. No problems at all
2007-06-06 05:37:59 · answer #8 · answered by tess 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋