Fixing, Spaying, or Neutering Your Dog
It is estimated that 6.5 million unwanted animals enter US shelters every year. One essential way to help reduce the number of unwanted pets is to get your dog spayed or neutered.
There are a number of terms used when discussing surgeries used to sterilize pets, so lets begin by clarifying what we are discussing in this article.
Wondering what the benefits of having your dog spayed or neutered are? Learn more about HERE.
Should an Older Dog Be Spayed?
The decision of when to spay a dog who is fully grown is much more flexible. There is no medical reason why an adult dog in good health shouldnt be spayed. Since dogs can get cancer at any age, even senior dogs can benefit from a spaying procedure. As long as a dog doesnt have any health issues that would make it dangerous to use anesthesia or undergo a surgical procedure, no dog is too old to be spayed, says Chewy.
The ASPCA points out, however, that older dogs might have a slightly higher risk of complications following the surgery. In any case, your veterinarian will likely want to conduct a physical exam and blood tests to make sure your dog is healthy enough for the procedure.
Spaying is a common procedure among female dogs, but keep in mind that it is surgery. While it is true that you may be able to take your pup in for surgery in the morning and pick her up later that afternoon or evening, but some veterinarians may keep her overnight to monitor for bleeding and ensure she remains quiet after surgery. When you drop your dog off you may be asked to sign consent forms for surgery, pain medication and a preoperative screening and blood test if she has not already had one.
When you pick her up later that day, she may still be groggy from the anesthesia. Your vet will provide you with a set of instructions for post-operative care, and this is a good time to ask questions about her recovery and what you can expect. Be sure to bring a carrier or a soft blanket to help make her ride home more comfortable. You can also give her a toy to cuddle, but refrain from giving her any treats until after the anesthesia has completely worn off.
Its important to closely follow the instructions your vet provides for post-operative care. Your vet will most likely give your pup something for her pain before she leaves the clinic. Because she is likely to be sore for a while as she recovers, your vet might also prescribe pain medication that you can give her at home. If not, be sure to ask your vet what to do for her pain before leaving the office. Under no circumstances should you give her over-the-counter medication intended for humans without first consulting your vet.
Youll also be informed whether you will need to bring your pup back in for stitch removal once shes healed or if the stitches will dissolve on their own. Your dog will need to be kept from vigorous activity or play for about a week to 10 days, and she might have to wear a cone to prevent her from licking or chewing the incision while it heals. Many dogs find these plastic collars uncomfortable, so she might do better with one of the newer, inflatable versions that can be purchased at pet supply stores.
Determining The Best Age to Spay or Neuter Your Dog
Up until recently, it has been common practice to advise pet-parents to have their pets spayed or neutered when the dog is between 6 – 9 months of age, however, more and more often that advice is being questioned.
Some recent studies appear to show that spaying or neutering pets at that age may, in some breeds, lead to an increased risk of conditions such as joint disorders, cranial cruciate injuries, and some cancers. These increased levels of health risks appear to be related to how sex hormones affect each animals musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and immune systems develop, and the age at which different breeds reach sexual maturity.
Toy, miniature and small dogs reach maturity at a much younger age than larger breeds. In fact toy breeds can reach full maturity as young as 6 – 9 months, whereas medium to large breed dogs typically reach maturity around 12 months of age, and giant breeds can take as long as 18 months to reach maturity. Which means that while it is generally considered safe for small dogs to be spayed or neutered between 6 -9 months of age, some vets recommend delaying spay and neuter surgeries until the pet reaches maturity.
Your veterinarian understands your pets health better than anyone and is typically in the best position to recommend that ideal time to get your pet fixed based on breed, overall health, and lifestyle. When attending your puppys early appointments for vaccinations and checkups have frank and open conversations with your pets veterinarian about the best time to have your dog spayed or neutered, and any concerns you may have.
At What age should you Spay or Neuter your pet?
New puppy visits have to be one of my favorite appointments in veterinary medicine. Adorable puppies, excited owners, so many opportunities to lay the groundwork for a long and happy life together. We cover lots of topics: vaccinations, deworming schedules, training, nutrition. During the first visit, one of the most common questions I get with puppies is, “When should my pet be spayed or neutered?”
For a very long time, veterinary medicine offered a fairly standard response: Six months. But why is that? Is it truly in every pet’s best interests to be desexed, and if so, why this particular age? Let’s unpack this very important topic so that you understand the factors we consider when we give you our recommendation for spays and neuters.