How often do dogs die from getting spayed? Here’s What to Do Next

Why Should I Spay My Dog?

Your puppy is growing very fast. As a new owner, you may be wondering when you should spay her. Some shelters spay as early as two months of age, some experts recommend spaying at six months of age, and some experts recommend waiting until she cycles through her first heat; the opinions vary.

You love your dog, and you might be fearful of the surgery, the anesthesia, and the recovery. In the corner of your mind, you might envision your dog having puppies at least once and fantasize about the joy of birth and cuddling with the pups. On the other hand, youve heard about the importance of spaying in order to avoid overcrowding in shelters. At this point, you are probably feeling quite overwhelmed making the big decision. Before discussing the pros and cons of spaying, it is important to debunk some very common myths surrounding the procedure.

Spayed dogs get fat.” This is not true. Dogs become overweight because they are fed more than they are supposed to be fed. Dogs also become overweight because they dont get enough exercise. If you feed your dog the normal quantity of food it requires and offer him/her a regular exercise regimen, your dog will likely stay at a healthy weight.

Spaying is a risky surgery.” Spaying is generally considered a routine surgery. Some veterinarians working at shelters can spay a lot of dogs each day, multiple days a week, without complications. The risk of a dog dying from a spay surgery is generally very low. Of course, do your research and find a good veterinarian with a good reputation.

Spaying makes dogs lazy. Dogs do not get lazy from being spayed. Dogs get lazy if their life is boring. If allowed to stay at home all day with nothing to do, then yes, a dog may become lazy. If you provide daily walks and some activities like fetch, you keep your dog engaged. Lazy dogs are often the by-product of lazy owners.

The Pros of Spaying a Dog

No More Heat Cycles: Heat cycles in dogs can be quite messy and some dogs get pretty heavy flows. You will no longer have to deal with hormonal irritability, stained carpets, or the need for doggy diapers if you spay your dog.

Fewer Dogs in Shelters: Each year, thousands of unwanted puppies are born. Some puppies may be adopted for being cute and cuddly, but there are way more puppies than there are available homes. It is a disgrace that countless happy and healthy dogs are euthanized every day in shelters because of irresponsible dog ownership.

No More Attracting Males: Males can sniff out a female in heat from miles away, and going to the dog park can be quite the adventure with all of the intact males interested in her. Even a simple walk may turn into an annoying hassle if your neighbors have males nearby.

There are more homeless pets in shelters than there are homes available.

Longer Life Expectancy: Spaying before the first heat cycle will dramatically lower the chances of your dog developing mammary cancer. Even spaying in adulthood will significantly lower the chances of reproductive cancers.

No Reproductive Complications: Pyometra is a serious and potentially fatal infection of the uterus. The uterus is removed during a spay surgery, so you erase all chances of pyometra by electing the procedure. The same principle applies to potentially deadly tumors of the ovaries and uterus.

A Better Disposition: Once the dog is fixed, the reduction in reproductive hormones makes your dog much calmer and easier to deal with. Many owners notice that their dog becomes more cuddly and loving.

No More False Pregnancies: When dogs are not mated, they may resort to simulating a pregnancy. This annoying and stressful behavior can be avoided by fixing your female.

Your dog will require anesthesia for her spay—there is no way around it.

How much does it cost to neuter a dog at Petsmart?

Popular chains, like Petsmart, have partnered with the ASPCA to offer low-cost spay and neuters for as low as $20.

When to Spay a Female Dog: the true risks and benefits

The scariest part of Moose’s recent dental abscess surgery was the anesthesia. After Falcon died, I began hearing a number of veterinary mistake horror stories, many of which were related to deaths caused by anesthesia. While the specifics of each case varied, the narratives generally fell into one of two categories.

The explanations vary slightly, but in most cases, somebody at the vet mutters something about an allergic reaction to the anesthesia – a rare and completely unpredictable complication. Their pet just happened to be one of the unlucky ones who had a reaction and unfortunately passed away. In some cases, the pets are older, and the death is attributed to their age and/or a pre-existing health condition. But a surprisingly large proportion of the reported deaths are in young, healthy pets going in for spay/neuter procedures or teeth cleanings.

I want to emphasize that the stories I’ve heard are personal stories, often shared with me after somebody learned about the death of Falcon due to veterinary misdiagnosis and neglect. I know many, many pet owners who have pets that have been spayed/neutered without issues or who have undergone surgical procedures with heart conditions and advanced age with no problems whatsoever. But, the proportion of anesthesia-related death stories I heard after Falcon’s death was striking. Why was death from anesthesia so high amidst this select, unscientific gathering of people who have tragically lost their pets? In my line of work, I’ve done a good amount of research related to medical errors in humans. And while the number of preventable deaths or injuries related to mistakes in human medicine is frighteningly high, I can’t remember a single anecdote about death by anesthesia. I know it happens in human medicine, but the volume of veterinary anesthesia horror stories I heard was alarming. And the stories of unnecessary loss were devastating and frightening.