Should you or shouldn’t you ?
Spaying prevents the animal from bearing young or coming into season. The bitch will normally come into season for the first time at the age of six to nine months. This period lasts about three weeks and usually occurs twice a year until the end of her life. If you do not really want your pet to have a litter or go through heat periods, then by all means, have her spayed. Spaying will not change her personality or physical condition and, contrary to popular myth, spaying does not make an animal fat and lazy - almost all "seeing eye" dogs are spayed females. It does lower the metabolic rate, so less food is required. If spaying is preformed before the animal is sexually mature, (before the first heat), mammory tumors, pyometra and genitourinary infections can be prevented. These conditions are very common in unspayed bitches.
What is the operation ?
The operation is an ovariohyserectomy. It is major surgery and a general anaesthetic is required. After the animal to be spayed is prepared for surgery and anaesthetized, a 2 to 3 inch incision is made in the abdomen, the entire uterus and the overies are then removed. The incision is then closed again by stitching it back together.
When should it be done ?
An animal can be spayed at any time. However, there are certain times when the risks of surgery are greater, such as while she is in season, when very close to delivering a litter, or when she is not in good general health. These times are to avoided, if possible. Most veterinarians feel there is no advantage to allowing her to have a litter. Veterinarians generally agree that the best age to spay a bitch is around 5 to 6 months of age, before the animal has a season. Since animals mature at different rates, leave the precise timing up to your veterinarian. It is recommended to wait 2 to 3 weeks after weaning a litter or 3 weeks or more after passing out of season.
How long will she have to be in the hospital ?
Dogs that have been spayed are hospitalized from one to three days, depending on the health and the age of the dog, as well as the requirements of the particular veterinarian.
What about after care ?
Not much after care is required after spaying. It is important that you do not feed or give your dog water for the first hour after getting home. Many dogs are very excited on returning home and sometimes make themselves ill by eating or drinking too much right after they arrive home. Confine your pet to the house, if possible, and take her out on a leash as needed for the first few days. Prevent her from jumping up and down as much as possible, as this could stretch and open the incision. Prevent her from licking and biting the stitches. If you notice her doing so and can not prevent it, call your veterinarian for advice. Finally, you will have to make an appointment to have the stitches removed, usually 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery.
How much will it cost ?
Modern surgery by skilled veterinarians cannot be performed cheaply. Your veterinarian is obligated, legally and morally, to perform surgery in a humane and sterile manner. A spay can cost $50.00 or more... that’s a lot of money ! And yet, compared to other costs of owning a dog, the cost of neutering is still a bargain. Spaying will save endless worry, incovenience, expense and possibly, the unpleasant task of having lovable, unwanted puppies destroyed.