Help, I have to spay my sheltie and I am really terrified to do this to her

[Spirit dog]

I think everyone gets scared when they have to put their little one through surgery. In the end it's probably not worth over thinking it, particularly as you have it written in your contract.

I've never had any issues with spays or neuters. Back in the day when de-sexing wasn't common I had an intact male sheltie die from testicular cancer, so from then on I always had my pets desexed. My current male was a little more complicated because he had retained testes. My current female was bouncing around once the anaesthetic wore off - had to tie her down. Tully was a show dog, however I ended up getting her spayed because she kept getting attacked, and the vet pointed out it may be because, as a small, intact female she was a target for aggressive dogs. Sure enough, she was never attacked again. Ended her show career but she was much happier doing flyball than prancing around the ring.

Over here desexing is pretty standard, I'd say 90% of dogs are spayed/neutered. Australia is always held up as an example for longevity and health of dogs so it doesn't seem to be causing too many issues; and we're talking of millions of dogs.

Oh well thank you, that's great advice, I really appreciate your response. Take care and thanks again

 

[Spirit dog]

Hello Spirit dog and welcome to SN. I also was concerned about the risks of neutering my dog because of the health risks so I waited until he was 2 years old, my last dog was a female cocker spaniel who I hadn't spayed and she developed Pyometra at age 8 (we caught it just in time). Have you asked the breeder if she's ok with you waiting a bit longer? Piper's breeder was fine with me waiting until he was a bit older.

Thank you for your response I really appreciate it.

 

[Spirit dog]

Thought I would chime in...I have spayed all 4 of my girls, all within their first yr of life. Never had any issues with fur growth, but I live in colder climates. One thing I have always had was fur abundance. Last year was a BAD winter here. My girls coated up like CRAZY they really packed on the undercoat to deal with the (-) temps we got early on. They all came from furry parents though-working dogs. I have recently dealt with spay incontinence in Savannah. She is smaller-15 lbs. Nap time and overnight she was having trouble holding urine, no dripping between, just when she went into a deeper sleep she had issues. She will be 3 on labor day, so kinda early for this. Consulting the Vets-I go the holistic route-I use meds as the last avenue if possible. We found what worked for her and she is dry again-no further issues. This has been over the summer. I have wondered if the heat(it happened once it was getting so incredibly hot here) and the increased water intake to deal with the heat has been a factor-who knows. Kaleigh & Savannah were spayed at almost 7 mths. Kaleigh is bigger by about 5 to 7 lbs. Both done by the same Dr., both woke up shortly from the surgery and wanted to come home. Both recovered quickly and sutures dissolved fast. I was a basket case both times, but they did great-no issues. I had used country Vets in the past, on my previous two girls. Kaleigh was seeing a holistic Vet who didn't perform surgeries. Finding a Vet that would perform the surgery w/o an overnight stay, w/o trying to revaccinate Kaleigh was near impossible. Classic ego power struggle for the clinics that didn't recognize holistic Vets. Holistic Vets use the SAME vaccinations as they do, from the SAME sources, as required by the state, they just don't always administer them ALL together, and they dose per weight of the dog which some of the clinics do not. They have to be certified and licensed by the State-so it was ridiculous. My breeder uses a country Vet and they gave me loads of grief about that as well. The breeder, the country Vet, and my holistic Vet all backed me up against the clinics trying to force re-vaccination on Kaleigh to spay her. The claim/excuse was she might not be healthy or pose risk and they needed to be sure. Which was INSANE. We had health records on her parents, health records on her, everything was documented. VERY sore subject for me, because the clinics in my area were nothing more than profit makers, it isn't about true health of a pet, it is about price GOUGING, and padding the bottom line as much as possible for services. Which I proved to the state from the estimates I got from these places. Just because I wasn't using their "preferred" Vets or their vaccination recommendations, etc. I mention all that to say, comparison shop, know the attitudes and procedures of any clinic you use, and make SURE you know what they will charge for, what they will be doing before, during and after any procedure. Make sure it aligns with your personal choices. Question everything so you feel comfortable and confident. Get it in writing, especially the costs. I learned a lot about the process with Kaleigh-times had really changed from what I was use to, and I will say NOT for the better imho. My previous girls never were put through the wringer on a routine spay like what I dealt with for her. My dogs have all lived long happy lives being spayed. We had girl dogs growing up that were spayed. None had their first cycle, or a litter. I suspect Kaleigh & Savannah will age out as well. Savannah is petite, she is finer boned than any of my others, and I think a bit more sensitive healthwise due to her size. With anything, do what FEELS right for your circumstance. Find a Vet that answers all your concerns.

Thank you for all your great advice and for your response I really appreciate it and will take it all into consideration. Thanks again

 

[Cherie]

Like you I have a New puppy (4 months) and worry too. But Callie is my third Shetland. My first was spayed at seven months, she lived to the age of 14 with no issues until her old age, full glorious coat. My second was a spayed rescue. Our new vet ( we moved) is actually suggesting we do this at about five months of age. Suggesting to do this before her first HEAT cycle, and said it can help stave off mammary cancer. Our breeder requires her to be spayed by the age of six months per agreement. So we will be doing this as soon as he thinks she has grown large enough to safely do. (keeping in mind they spay Chihuahuas too.) I am more concerned with keeping her on low activity for the few days after. Our new puppy just may be custom made for fly-ball....Ball Crazy GO..GO..GO...24/7.

As for the stress of surgery we go thru for our puppers:

Remember you can always consult more than one vet, and even price around. PRICEY does not always mean better. Finding the right vet is like finding the right dentist. Mine knows I am the somewhat neurotic mamma of shelties; That my girls are spoiled but also Loved immensely. He doats on our girls as well as his other patients...plays with them, sits on the floor with them sometimes to do his exam. He doesn't stress them on that scary table. He has gained their trust. When one of my dogs follows him willingly around to the back room (as if to say... Hey where you going?) I have to trust they feel comfortable /safe in that office.

We live on the outskirts of major city and he charges around $250 and will give her the ID chip while knocked out as well, since its a big needle. He didn't want to chip before this due to her feeling pain. I hadn't even thought about that until he mentioned it. Perhaps he is not as expensive as some I have heard of because there is competition in the area, but his office is immaculately clean, staff pleasant, and he is well equipped, but no flashy neon signs, No fancy waiting room, just a boring red brick building...he has 10 years of experience.

I will still worry the day it happens for our Callie, but having a comfort level with your vet can help. Find a place you feel comfortable, so you can ask questions. If you feel they do not address your concerns, they most likely don't care if your dog feels comfortable either.

Sincerely wishing you and your little fluff ball the best. May all go perfect since you already own the perfect dog!

 

[Cara Sandler]

Honestly - it is of course your decision. But if it eases your mind at all, there are many health benefits to spaying, including, as you said, eliminating the risk of pyometra. There are risks and benefits to spaying, and risks and benefits to not spaying. I actually didn't tell anyone when I was ready to spay Skylar. She's my dog, it's my decision, and I didn't want to hear from a bunch of people who didn't have to live with the consequences of having an intact dog. For me, the risks of leaving her intact were greater than the risks of spaying her. She recovered extremely quickly and I don't regret my decision at all.

As far as having to get an antihistamine with vaccines - that's not unheard of. Again, it's a risk versus benefit thing, and to me the risk of having my dog die of a completely preventable disease is far worse than the risk that the vaccine poses. Allergic reactions can be managed but they do require caution. But I don't know that I would choose not to vaccinate at all unless my pet had a really severe, life threatening reaction. People are treated with medications that they are allergic to quite often, and it is managed with an antihistamine. Sometimes a lot of antihistamine - but again, that to me is far less risky than having my dog be exposed to rabies and dying.

 

[Hanne]

Spirit dog - As you maybe remember - I was as frustrated as you until the day I made the final decision (thought of it day and night).

When the day came, I was terrified that something would happen with Minnie, then the next phase

I chose the slightly expensive way:
Most veterinarians today remove only the ovaries and not the whole uterus, as studies have shown that it can be left without problems and no longer causes problems. The operation wound is thus reduced and the operating time is shortened.
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Make it between 1st and 2nd term
Make sure that you vet know and user anesthesia that is MDR1 friendly