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Risk vs reward: spaying
My 5 and a half month old Husky/Shepherd mix is scheduled to have her spaying done on the 19th. I got to thinking: What are the risks? She is such a good girl now, I would hate for something bad to happen during the surgery. Is it really worth it to go through with?
Any responses are greatly appreciated
Any responses are greatly appreciated
Hi ginger, just wanted to give an update in case you were wondering. The accidents seem to be just a one time thing. I am wondering if they were, in fact, accidents. Maybe she is mad that we put her through this, and that was her revenge.
During the night, she hasn't done anything bad at all!
She is actually a very well behaved dog. This was the first time she has ever pooped inside our house in the four months we have had her.
Things seemed to have returned to normal.
I also wondered if the pain medication she was given (meloxicam) might have either relaxed her muscles and she couldn't hold it. But then I wondered why she wouldn't just go to the back door, like usual. Which leads me back to the revenge poop!
Who knows, but I am happy to have my little girl back!
During the night, she hasn't done anything bad at all!
She is actually a very well behaved dog. This was the first time she has ever pooped inside our house in the four months we have had her.
Things seemed to have returned to normal.
I also wondered if the pain medication she was given (meloxicam) might have either relaxed her muscles and she couldn't hold it. But then I wondered why she wouldn't just go to the back door, like usual. Which leads me back to the revenge poop!
Who knows, but I am happy to have my little girl back!
COMMUNITY LEADER
This may just be a general system-upset brought about by the whole anesthetic/vet visits/shock-to-her-system series of events.
Is she drinking an awful lot? Did they have to give her a lot of fluid in IV when she had the surgery? (I'm just wondering about the volume of pee you say she's doing) Did she drink a large amount when she came round from surgery?
It could possibly be she had a little urinary retention (did she?) on the first day, owing perhaps to a bruised or sore feeling either in her lower abdomen, or vagina. And she's releasing it now....
Same story with the pooping, I wonder. Abdo. surgery can cause a little retention straight afterwards, plus it may have felt a little sore as she used her muscles to poop the first day, and maybe she's kind of making up for that now....
It sounds like she is a really well bathroom-trained and naturally well behaved girl. How is she at night? Is that when the accidents happened?
Otherwise, is she ok? Is she showing any signs of feeling unwell, apart from the unusual bathroom habits?
Always if there are any follow-ups or questions to be asked, post-surgery, the vet who did it should be willing to answer any question you may have. I wouldn't be shy and give them a call.
Is she drinking an awful lot? Did they have to give her a lot of fluid in IV when she had the surgery? (I'm just wondering about the volume of pee you say she's doing) Did she drink a large amount when she came round from surgery?
It could possibly be she had a little urinary retention (did she?) on the first day, owing perhaps to a bruised or sore feeling either in her lower abdomen, or vagina. And she's releasing it now....
Same story with the pooping, I wonder. Abdo. surgery can cause a little retention straight afterwards, plus it may have felt a little sore as she used her muscles to poop the first day, and maybe she's kind of making up for that now....
It sounds like she is a really well bathroom-trained and naturally well behaved girl. How is she at night? Is that when the accidents happened?
Otherwise, is she ok? Is she showing any signs of feeling unwell, apart from the unusual bathroom habits?
Always if there are any follow-ups or questions to be asked, post-surgery, the vet who did it should be willing to answer any question you may have. I wouldn't be shy and give them a call.
Good news, up until last night!
She peed in the house twice, and actually pooped once. She has never pooped in our house, even when she was first brought home. Is this common in dogs that get spayed?
I didn't want to discipline her, as I really don't think its her fault. It's just strange, as she keeps asking to go out, so I take her out (on her leash, as instructed by the vet), and she pees every single time. Not just a dribble, but a LOT of pee.
The one good point to all of this is, at least she went into the bathroom to do it!!
She peed in the house twice, and actually pooped once. She has never pooped in our house, even when she was first brought home. Is this common in dogs that get spayed?
I didn't want to discipline her, as I really don't think its her fault. It's just strange, as she keeps asking to go out, so I take her out (on her leash, as instructed by the vet), and she pees every single time. Not just a dribble, but a LOT of pee.
The one good point to all of this is, at least she went into the bathroom to do it!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh good, I'm so glad. It sounds like she has made a very good recovery so far. The leaping around thing is a very good sign, but like you said, it is better to stop her leaping up too much right now. (easier said than done I guess!)
Most healthy dogs, most of the time do bounce back quickly from these things.
Good news. I'm glad to hear it. Take care, and all the best.
Most healthy dogs, most of the time do bounce back quickly from these things.
Good news. I'm glad to hear it. Take care, and all the best.
Hi ginger,
Well, she is doing a lot better than I expected. She came home last night and layed on the floor, gently whining. I layed with her for a good hour and a half, but she didn't really seem to want me around (maybe she's mad that I took her).
She was drinking last night, and had a bit to eat.
This morning, however, is a whole other story. I dont know how I am going to keep her from jumping on the furniture... She was up on the bed this morning, then on the couch, then jumping off....
My sister is going to be with her all day to make sure she's not doing anything too crazy.
But all is well!
Thanks for the advice on her. I was a little worried, but all seems to have turned out well!
Well, she is doing a lot better than I expected. She came home last night and layed on the floor, gently whining. I layed with her for a good hour and a half, but she didn't really seem to want me around (maybe she's mad that I took her).
She was drinking last night, and had a bit to eat.
This morning, however, is a whole other story. I dont know how I am going to keep her from jumping on the furniture... She was up on the bed this morning, then on the couch, then jumping off....
My sister is going to be with her all day to make sure she's not doing anything too crazy.
But all is well!
Thanks for the advice on her. I was a little worried, but all seems to have turned out well!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm sorry I didn't see your update till just now (it's been there 9 hours) because I've only just come back.
She may feel slightly queasy. Some do, some don't....a bit like humans. (I suppose, by now you have figured out the 'blankets in the car' dilemma.
Like I said, don't be surprised if she isn't interested in food the first day. All that matters is if you can get fluids down her. Pedialyte, or glucose and water will help if she refuses plain water. Then later on, say in the evening, you could try her with some fish or chicken stock (just water from cooking lean chicken or white fish, unseasoned) If she won't eat, she may drink that.
My dog had a fairly minor surgery a year or two ago, and was a little queasy afterwards. She didn't throw up, but wasn't interested in food really till later in the evening, though she ate normally the next day. That was just the after effect of the anesthetic)
Anyway, when you get time, please do update us if you can. I'd love to know how she's doing!
She may feel slightly queasy. Some do, some don't....a bit like humans. (I suppose, by now you have figured out the 'blankets in the car' dilemma.
Like I said, don't be surprised if she isn't interested in food the first day. All that matters is if you can get fluids down her. Pedialyte, or glucose and water will help if she refuses plain water. Then later on, say in the evening, you could try her with some fish or chicken stock (just water from cooking lean chicken or white fish, unseasoned) If she won't eat, she may drink that.
My dog had a fairly minor surgery a year or two ago, and was a little queasy afterwards. She didn't throw up, but wasn't interested in food really till later in the evening, though she ate normally the next day. That was just the after effect of the anesthetic)
Anyway, when you get time, please do update us if you can. I'd love to know how she's doing!
Thank you for the responses! I dropped Lexi off this morning for her spay.
You obviously have lots of experience with these! Are dogs mostly nauseous afterwards? I am wondering what condition she will be in when she is picked up/at home. Wondering about laying blankets in the car, just in case, etc.
You obviously have lots of experience with these! Are dogs mostly nauseous afterwards? I am wondering what condition she will be in when she is picked up/at home. Wondering about laying blankets in the car, just in case, etc.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What a beautiful pup!
It shouldn't take her too long to bounce back, but it could be a few days, realistically. Some dogs are straight away into their food, and on their feet, but some can feel the after effects of the anesthetic more than others, and may be a little off food for a day or two. Straight after the anesthetic wears off, don't be surprised if she refuses food. She may feel a little woozy or even nauseous. I wouldn't worry about whether she eats or not that day, but do make sure she gets water as much as she needs.
You could maybe try her with some chicken or fish stock (water in which chicken or fish has been boiled) and she may drink that which will give her a little energy, and keep up her fluids. You could even give her glucose and water if you wish, or Pedialyte. But don't push her to eat.
The next day she really should have a bit of appetite. Try to tempt her to eat if she still isn't very interested. She should come right back to eating normally in maybe a couple of days. As I said, some dogs bounce back quicker than others.
She will feel a little sore, and may most likely be wearing a cone collar so she won't lick or bite at her stitches or dressings. She will not want to be jumping around, and really shouldn't, for a week or two afterwards. Gentle walks will do her no harm, but not too far at once for the first few days. Don't let her leap up onto furniture, or leap in and out of a car for example, or play hard, but a little gentle play will cheer her up!
She may well feel more sleepy than usual. I would definitely expect that on the first day, and possibly even for a few days after. So don't be too worried if she naps more.
Incontinence due to spaying can happen, yes. But it is far more common in older dogs. It is not due to there having been any damage during surgery, but due to the lack of female hormones which regulate muscle-tone in the bladder sphincter. There are usually two approaches to treating this. One is with **************, and one is with estrogen supplements. Or, if preferred, "phyto-estrogens" can be used (plant-based estrogens) such as those from Herbal and Nutritional sources. But before going down this route it would be wise to get veterinary advice, and also advice from a Herbal Vet.
It shouldn't take her too long to bounce back, but it could be a few days, realistically. Some dogs are straight away into their food, and on their feet, but some can feel the after effects of the anesthetic more than others, and may be a little off food for a day or two. Straight after the anesthetic wears off, don't be surprised if she refuses food. She may feel a little woozy or even nauseous. I wouldn't worry about whether she eats or not that day, but do make sure she gets water as much as she needs.
You could maybe try her with some chicken or fish stock (water in which chicken or fish has been boiled) and she may drink that which will give her a little energy, and keep up her fluids. You could even give her glucose and water if you wish, or Pedialyte. But don't push her to eat.
The next day she really should have a bit of appetite. Try to tempt her to eat if she still isn't very interested. She should come right back to eating normally in maybe a couple of days. As I said, some dogs bounce back quicker than others.
She will feel a little sore, and may most likely be wearing a cone collar so she won't lick or bite at her stitches or dressings. She will not want to be jumping around, and really shouldn't, for a week or two afterwards. Gentle walks will do her no harm, but not too far at once for the first few days. Don't let her leap up onto furniture, or leap in and out of a car for example, or play hard, but a little gentle play will cheer her up!
She may well feel more sleepy than usual. I would definitely expect that on the first day, and possibly even for a few days after. So don't be too worried if she naps more.
Incontinence due to spaying can happen, yes. But it is far more common in older dogs. It is not due to there having been any damage during surgery, but due to the lack of female hormones which regulate muscle-tone in the bladder sphincter. There are usually two approaches to treating this. One is with **************, and one is with estrogen supplements. Or, if preferred, "phyto-estrogens" can be used (plant-based estrogens) such as those from Herbal and Nutritional sources. But before going down this route it would be wise to get veterinary advice, and also advice from a Herbal Vet.
Thank you for the response!
This is our first little puppy, and she is very healthy so far. (her picture is in my profile)
I have read some weird stories of dogs not being able to hold their bladders, etc after this.
How long is it before they bounce back? I know she will be coming home the same day. Is it fair to say by the next day she should start to feel better?
This is our first little puppy, and she is very healthy so far. (her picture is in my profile)
I have read some weird stories of dogs not being able to hold their bladders, etc after this.
How long is it before they bounce back? I know she will be coming home the same day. Is it fair to say by the next day she should start to feel better?
Its worth it just so there won't be any more unwanted puppies, there are so many in shelters now, You may think ahead of time that the puppies can easily be placed, but it doesn't always work that way. Also, a dog in heat can be a real pain, you have to watch them so closely when their outside, they attract visitors like crazy. We have always had our dogs spayed, and have never had any bad results. She is your baby, and your concerned, but try not to worry. Good Luck on whatever you decide.
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Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
The vet, however, has to mention the risks of surgery to you. That is a legal obligation, when you sign the consent form. They have to do this, and it always sounds a little 'heavy'. Doctors also have to do that.
To have her spayed now, before her first heat cycle, will greatly protect her for the rest of her life against female cancers, (in fact will make the possibility of developing breast cancer almost nil.) and also pyometra, which is a very serious womb infection, and can develop in any dog, young or old.