Spaying Your Female Dog
89Female Dog Health
I love all dogs- male and female alike- but that doesn't mean that I want puppies. Now, generally when you adopt a dog from a shelter, the dog is already spayed or will be shortly after adoption. But you may still be iffy about the whole process.
The best thing that you can do to ease your insecurities is to make sure that you know everything you can about the full process of having a dog spayed.
It is actually one of the most important surgeries that you need to make sure that your female dog has because it will truly reduce the risk of breast cancer and it will 100% reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.
Spaying your female dog is a routine procedure that your vet could probably do in his/her sleep, but to the average pet parent, it can be scary having their dog put under anesthesia. Below is the basic information that should hopefully help you ease any worries about having your precious pup spayed.
When to Spay a Female Dog
There are a lot of breeders who recommend that you wait until after the dog's first heat to get the dog spayed. This is because many people believe that a female dog is not fully done growing until she has her first heat, when she becomes an adult, so to speak, and by spaying too early, you prevent growth. Well, I'm not 100% on the accuracy of this; I believe that a dog will grow to its full potential no matter when you spay, but it's up to you whether you believe it or not.
Otherwise, the main concern is spaying the dog before the first heat. Some vets will spay females as early as 6 weeks old given that the puppy weighs more than 5 pounds, but most vets wait until the puppy is at least 6 months old.
By spaying before the dog's first heat, you prevent an unwanted litter and you give your pet more protection against developing breast cancer in the future.
The actual stats on preventing breast cancer are as follows:
- A dog spayed before her first heat has a mere 0.5% risk of developing breast tumors later in life.
- A dog spayed between her first and second heat has an 8% risk of developing breasts tumors.
- A dog spayed after her second heat has a 26% chance of developing breast tumors, which is the same as a dog who is not spayed.
The only time that you want to wait until after the first heat is if your female puppy has severe vaginitis, as it can be "cured," so to speak by letting her go through one heat cycle before spaying her.
If you wait too long, your dog's odds of developing a uterine infection greatly increase. If you do not have the dog spayed by the time she's 5 years old, her odds of a uterine infection are pretty high. The treatment is to surgically remove the uterus, but if you don't notice the signs of the infection early enough, then there may not be anything the doctor can do.
Sometimes, you can get your dog spayed during her heat, but very few vets will actually do it as it is more complicated during the heat, and saying this that means it's more expensive. I personally waited it out until my American Pit Bull Terrier was about 8 months old before I had her spayed, trying to get as close as I could to her first heat without actually having to experience it.
For more information about a females in heat, check out Tips for a Female Dog in Heat
What's the process of spaying a dog?
Although it is a pretty routine and basic procedure for vets, for a pet owner it can be scary, knowing that your beloved pup is going under anesthetics and having major surgery. It will calm your nerves if you understand the process.
The basics involve your dog being put under a general anesthesia just like a human would be, using a breathing tube in the trachea that is connected to the anesthesia machine. Your dogs heartbeat, breathing, and sometimes blood pressure will be monitored throughout the procedure, as well.
Your dog will be positioned on her back on a heated surgical table. The hair on the abdomen is shaved and the skin is cleaned with a surgical scrub.
Using a scalpel, the vet will make an incision, and depending on the size of the dog the incision will vary between 1.5 and 4 inches long. The vet will locate the uterus underneath the bladder and follow each horn of the uterus up to each ovary. Then using clamps and sutures, the vet will tie off the blood vessels before he/she cuts the uterus and ovaries free and removing them.
The vet will then suture the abdominal muscles back together, and then sutures or glues the skin back together.
The anesthesia is turned off, and the vet techs will watch your dog as she slowly wakes up, where she will be moved to a recovery kennel.
What happens after the procedure?
Depending on your vet, they will either require that you leave your dog overnight or they will allow you to pick up your dog later in the evening.
Some dogs will show some signs of discomfort after the surgery, but not all will.
In most cases, your dog will act completely normal after the surgery, but you want to monitor what the dog eats due to the anesthesia. Sometimes dogs will react to the anesthesia just like humans do.
Many vets will recommend that you half the dog's normal diet for the first meal, and offer ice chips instead of water.
It took about 3 days for my APBT to fully recoup her surgery, as she got sick drinking water much less eating an ice chip.
It will typically take about 10 to 14 days for the incision to heal.
What are the risks of spaying your dog?
For the most part the biggest risk is death from unpredictable anesthetic reaction, excessive bleeding, or an abdominal infection. It is extremely rare for a healthy young dog to die as a result of being spayed.
Other complications can include fever, pain, skin irritation the sutures, or reaction to the anesthesia (typically throwing up).
Female Dog Spaying Myths
A few myths associated with spaying and neutering dogs include the following:
- She will no longer want to protect her family or home. (Protection is a natural instinct that cannot be taken away by removing hormones. The actual extent of the protection trait, will depend on genetics, environment, and training.)
- She will get fat and lazy.
- She will either stay a puppy or revert to puppyhood forever.
- It's expensive. (Remember spaying your dog once prevents a full litter of puppies that you have to feed, care for, and find homes for.)
- She'll be sad and upset with me because she can't have a littler of puppies. (She doesn't want the puppies. You do. Your female dog will not act or behave any differently if you breed her once or if you never breed her at all. It's all animal instinct, and if you remove the hormones for the most part the instinct is gone.)
Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed veterinarian. If you have any concerns, you should consult a veterinarian.
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Whitney, it is true that a dog if spayed too early will not develop properly, I am spending a lot of money on vet bills now because a vet recommended we spay or Vizsla BEFORE her first heat. Her Vulva is so small compared to the rest of her body, that it is hardly visible, and she keeps infections. I have to clean her every day, and she likes at it. When I exam the Vulva, I notice irritation. Obviously this specific vet did not practice his surgeries well, I also think that he may have left behind parts of the reproductive organs, because she also has infections and discharges, so therefore, not only would I not ever spay a female again before here first heat, but I would make sure the vet actually knew what he was doing. My poor little Abbi will have to endure discomfort for the rest of her life because of human mistakes. This is a good Post Whitney, because everyone should know what to expect. No one who truly loves their dog, will want them to be in any discomfort.
I also should mention as well, that larger dogs, seem to mature slower than the smaller breeds. So if a smaller dog was spayed before her first heat, she may not have these problems.
How can you tell if a dog has been spayed without going to the vet?
why my dog still bleeding after four days of spay. Thanks
So I have a chi-pom about a year old well she went into heat and I let her out to use bathroom and a random dog came into the yard and when I went outside toget her the two dogs were Tied up together! She has not been spayed yet bc of her being in heat! I called the vet yesterday I see if there was a morning after pill for dogs bc I don't want her to have puppies! They really didn't recommend the shots so they told me to go ahead and get her spayed! She got tied up on Sunday and I'm taking her toget spayed Tuesday next week. I'm wanting to know if that means that she will not be pregnant and what kid of complications if any will she have?
after getting my 6 year old lab spayed she sadly passed away that same evening. we were told by the vets that it may have been a fit of some sort. just be aware, as with humans these things can happen after or during surgery.
About the right age to spay... I've had German Shepherd bitches I spayed at 6 months, and ones I've spayed after their first heat. The ones I waited on had more bone, looked more like their breed. The ones I didn't grew like string beans - super long legs, little mass, and lacked an air of femininity. I don't know as it affected longevity, but now if I have the choice, I do wait.
I had my 6 month old puppy spayed friday, and I noticed a big dark spot around the scar but kinda under the skin. Is this just bruising or is it worse than that?
We have two bitches that really got on well with each other but now will not stop fighting. Will spaying stop this? And also, one of them is 2 and a half years old. Is this going to be a problem, health wise?
My American bulldog is having her first cycle. I dont want to get her spayed until she's had one litter but I want her to be at least two years old. Should she have a litter sooner than two?
Just rescued an APB. We thing she is under a year. She is just starting into a heat cycle. Thank you for all the information. Very helpfull. We have another that we had spayed during her cycle and everything stayed swollen. She is almost 5 now. She is a great dog. She has put on a few pounds and we have nicknamed her tubsock.
Our dog is 5-6 years old, is it still okay if we spay her?
Hey everyone does anyone know how old a puppy needs to be to get sprayed? i have a five week old rotty/smithfield and i just want to get everything done with...
Most of these comments ive read, seem like cases of anxiety, NOT complications from the surgery. Dogs will do this sometimes when we leave them overnight to get spayed/neutered. It is normal... If they make a huge fuss about it, then see if you can't put them on medication. It has helped my dogs and my friends' dogs that are too clingy. They whine and fuss about being alone. As long as you follow the medication directions your dog should be happy and healthy. There is less stress on your pet, and you don't have to feel guilty about leaving the house. Meds (given correctly) shouldn't have any negative bits. They calm the dog and soothe its anxiety.
Iam thinking of getting my 5 year old pit fixed im just wondering if she is going to have any problems..I have a male pit too and she has had three litters any answers would be awesome
I have a female Shitzu that is 8 years old she just had pups in Feb 2011 now i want to get her fixed is there any reason why i can't or will a vet fix her cause she is getting old
I just had my 15 month old american pit bull spayed a week ago and im starting to get worried about her behavior. She has been wineing a lot and it seems to me like her anxiety got worse. she has also been panting while inside and laying down She will raise her head and just start panting like she just got done playing?? i saw in the comments that kevin had explained the same behavior from his dog, if anyone knows why this is happening please let me know?????? She seems to be gettin her energy back and shes starting to want to play again and the insicion looks grat like it is healing just fine but im not sure whats going on with the behavior>?
Sally: I'd have your friend take her dog back to the vet/hospital immediately! Those symptoms could be signs of a serious condition or complication.
julia, can I ask, how is your dog doing now? is she okay? I'm asking because my friend got her papillon spayed, two days after surgery she was fine and the third day the agony started: she can't stand or walk, she is nervous and cries when she's alone. It seems like she wanted to walk and run, when she's laying she's moving her feet, but when they get her up she just falls back down, she can't even sit. The vets don't have a clue what's wrong, they said they never had a case like that before. If someone knows what to do, please help :(
I live in a country where the vets regularly come to the house to spay the animals, I had my cat spayed this way and she was fine, but I want to know if this is safe or if its too risky as far as infections go.? I have a bitch that needs to be spayed. And what do they cut to spAy a female animal?
Kevin...my chihuahua mix was spayed last tuesday..5/31/11. The incision is fine, but like you described your pet, my girl is also doing the same thing, like she has PTSD.she used to walk on leash, now its like shes never been on one before, she whines really loud and gets so nervous if i leave or when I return. I am taking her to vet tomorrow, she has problems now standing, her little legs give out. Its breaking my heart.
My dog got spayed about 2 days ago, now is showing signs of seperation syndrom and heavy panting (like it's hot in the house)
She cries constantly if someone is NOT in the room with her and everytime she is alone. (she obviously wanted attention and to be with people before, but it's very bad now). Help?
I've had two American pitbulls spayed, neither one of them turned agressive, they're both still very sweet. One of them did definitely gain weight, the other one is still slender and fit. The slender one was spayed before she went into her first heat, the weight gainer had two heats before I spayed her. So maybe that has something to do with the weight gain...not sure. We've also had two chihuahuas spayed, one had her heat cycle and a litter, the other was spayed before her first cycle...and guess who's the slender one. The one spayed before she had a cycle. I guess dogs are like humans...no one knows for sure what the effect of being spayed are.
just had my girl dog neutered, she is doing fantastic, no cone needed, a comment was made by someone who paid £105 to have there dog done, thats crazy money when you can get a voucher from any dogs trust and your local council for £15
my baby girl 6 month border collie had the op Tue and pleased to say she is fine, woz a bit dopey the night we picked her up but next day like nothing happened. Cost 105 quid but by reading the plus for having it done, well worth it.
my dog is suppose to get spayed in two days, but she went into heat last night for her first time, will they make her wait now to be spayed? And if not, is it risky for my dog? She's a healthy 8 1/2 month old Olde English Bulldog. How long is a female dog in heat for?
found this information very helpful, thank you very much,my 6month bitch, wendy will be going to the vets this tuesday, after reading the comments i now know im doing the right thing for my bestest mate whom i love so very much. The information also makes me feel much better as i was becoming a bit worried as to go a head or not. thanks again..
I have a 7 month old labrador who i was originally not getting spayed. Afting finding out more about seasons and the risks of not getting this done i've decided i'd like to get her spayed in the next couple of weeks. My only worry is that she has started showing signs she may be coming into heat. Is it going to be too late to have her spayed?
She can be spayed at any time.
my maltipoo is currently on her heat. she's almost 4yrs old. how many months should i wait until spaying her?
I had my 2 dogs spayed and they both are really fat now. They don't seem lazy, but definetely gained 15 ibs. My dogs are rat terriers, so they are not supposed to be this fat. They eat the same amount of food they always have. "1 being 5 years old"
So for the myth of them getting fat and lazy.. Lazyiness I have not found, but getting fat. Definetely true!
Not that case. If anything, spaying cuts out hormones. There isn't any proven evidence that says any dog breed gets more aggressive after a spay or neuter
i have an eight month old pitbull girl. i've heard that spayed pits sometimes get more aggressive. i don't want my sweet puppy to start being mean! i see that you spayed your pit pup at 8 months. did you notice any behavior changes?
my 6mth old puppy never whn on heat yet bt i got her spay and m hapy id it. when i pick her up frm the vet on the same day she wasnt feelng alryt bt the next day she woke me up by licking me and pulling my hair and i was so hapy she bak to her self again. but i for got to say she was never in pain and that sh just sleepy that all and nw she running around like nothing hapnd..
i have a maltipoo. almost 4 years old by this april. is it ok to spay her? in comparison to a puppy being spayed, is it more risky or painful because she's older?
Depending on how far along she was, yes.
Ok so, I have a Siberian Husky. She's a year old, we got her spayed 2 days ago. But the thing is we didn't know she was pregnant, so they opened her up and they ended up just taking out the babies. We thought it was fine, but now the thing is, we got her a toy so she can feel some what better? And she protects it like if it is her baby. Is that like normal? Or.. Is she going to get over it? Because it's sort of strange.
I have a miniature dachshund with 1/4 chihuawa in her she got spayed this morning and she hasn't peed for at least 14 hours I'm so scared is this normal and she hasn't had anything to eat or drink since last night I am soooo worried about her
I'd say just an irritation. Check for mites or fleas that she could have gotten at the vet. I'd just watch it for a few days to see if it worsens. She shouldn't really be on any medications from the spay anyway, so I wouldn't say it's that. (Generally, medications aren't given for a spay unless something arose in the surgery or it was more extensive than usual.) The anesthetic should have well been worn off by now, so I doubt it's that.
If there was a needle or implant at the ankle for the anesthesia, it could have been an irritation to the tape, but I'd say for now just watch it. One day isn't anything to worry about.
It's sad you waited so long to spay, at it doesn't cut out odds of mammary cancer as much, but eventually is better than not at all.
My female will be 1 tomorrow. She went through one heat. I had her spayed a week ago. She seems perfectly fine and happy. But this morning I noticed on her right front leg she has bitten hair off. She's never done this before, what could it be? Medication or the anithestic that would cause something like this.
That is a risk, but waiting risks cancer. Personally, I can deal with incontinence, but I don't want to go through a dog with cancer again. That is a much more expensive, emotion, and heart breaking ordeal.
I had my female newfoundland dog spayed at three months old. I feel I should have waited until she was in her first heat. Due to spaying her too early she ended up having incontinence. Spay incontinence sometimes happens after a female has been spayed. Certain breeds such as Doberman's are prone to spay incontinence which can cause leaking. I used to work for a Newfoundland breeder and she told me that if I had waited till she was older this probably would not have happened.
Agatha was a six month old puppy who had previously undergone entropion surgery and tolerated anesthetics.
I brought her to the United States from Brazil two weeks ago. She had several vet exames before we came back. She was healthy and did fantastic on the 9 hour flight to Miami and then the three hour flight to Boston. Just two days ago I took her in to get spayed and another procedure to correct entropion. I was told that both procedures could be performed at the same time. Agatha was a completly healthy puppy. The vet called me later that day to tell me that they have had complications. The surgery went fine. He told me that her heart stopped during the five minutes of recovery. This hack and his assistants did something wrong. I know it. Either the loss of blood or too much anesthetics are the cause.
I adopted a female german sheperd X a couple months ago I wanted to get her spayed right away but due to her state of neglect she was too underweight so I had to wait to beef her up first. She had her first heat about two months ago that only lasted a few days. I have her booked to be spayed in a 10 days but today she started bleeding again. Is this normal? I've heard that since the first heat was so short it's possible that this is her first real one, is that true? Also should I cancel her appointment until she's finished? I've been reading some of these comments and they say how she is at a high risk of breast cancer, is this true if this is her first "real" heat? And if so what are the signs of breast cancer?
Great article and every pet should be spayed or neutered. Leave breeding up to the reputable breeders.
My dog was spayed 4 days ago and wont stop shaking, what does this mean?
A vet.
I adopted an abandoned dog she has now had 5 puppies,. When can I have her spayed?
I have a 6 month old mix puppy that I had spayed 2 days ago. The did the inside sutures, and glued the outside closed. The first night she did not have an e-collar because they didnt provide me with one and the pet store was closed by time I picked her up. I noticed in the morning that she had licked some of the glue off the skin surrounding it. The skin is held togeather still and she is now wearing an e-collar. But she is being very active for having it done only 2 days ago. there is another puppy in the house that is younger and she keeps trying to play with her. she is running around the house, and keeps sneeking out the back dog door and going up and down the stairs to the dog pen. I am wondering if her being this active can cause the sutures to rip out? She doesnt seem to be in any pain and is not to happy about being stopped when she is trying to play. Is it ok for her to be playing a little bit this early? Do you think she would stop if it caused her pain?
I have a girl German shepherd husky mix she just turned 8 weeks yesterday any advice on when I should spay her?
Judychartrand 2 months ago
So there is no confusion to my comment, I meant to say she licks at her Vulva, not likes it.