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AIBU?

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Original poster

Not to get my chihuahua neutered?

66 replies

wallowinwater · 17/08/2018 18:21

She 8 now and I could never bring myself to put her through the operation as it seemed from my perspective unnecessary and cruel. I feel very emotional about it as she can't tell me what she wants, I know probably weird. There is very little chance of pregnancy as no male dog has ever shown an interest, I'm guessing cos she was so small. Vets always advised to neuter to avoid womb cancer or initially lower the chance of breast cancer. Breast cancer not relevant anymoreas she's older. I have been advised pyometria is a high risk to older small dogs. AIBU not to get her neutered? I'm worried about risk of her having op and no one can provide me with statistics about incidence of Pyo in the general population, just anecdotal including vet. Thanks

OP posts:
Celestia26 · 17/08/2018 20:54

Having a Pyometra is a huge risk for her, and the risk will get higher as she gets older.

A Pyometra happens due to the change in hormones which happens each season.

As she gets older the risk of having a Pyometra will increase. Her risk of dying under anaesthesia will also increase.

An older dog suffering from an infected uterus will almost always have surgery under 'emergency circumstances', meaning surgery must take place quickly and with almost no notice. Survival rates are low.

GET HER SPEYED. I say this as a Veterinary professional with 20 years experience.

Please.

TheDairyQueen · 17/08/2018 21:21

YABU to put your dog at risk of a pyometra. It's irresponsible and your feelings on the matter are irrational. Pyometra is horrendous and is life-threatening, and there's no excuse: get her neutered.

I've worked in veterinary clinics on and off for the past twenty years as a nurse, and if there's one thing that I dread after an RTA, it's got to be a pyometra - probably because it's something that's avoidable.

Do the right thing for her, not for your emotional convenience.

Vinorosso74 · 17/08/2018 21:40

I'm far from a dog expert but have just commented on a thread to do with cat neutering (I'm a cat person). I know similar complications can arise with cats and dogs as PPs have commented so if I had a dog would definitely neuter.

Original poster
wallowinwater · 17/08/2018 23:34

Thanks most of you for your posts. Not sure why some of you had to be so rude just because you're anonymous. Just to say I meant having her neutered now won't decrease her chance of breast cancer anymore as it's only preventative if they have it done young. I didn't mean she's no longer at risk. When I initially got her the risk of pyo was not and has never been mentioned to me by a vet, hence now considering the op that I am aware of the risk to her. Can anyone send me a link to the statistics so I can read the info for myself? Thanks

OP posts:
liverbird10 · 18/08/2018 05:13

My poor, dear little car nearly died of pyometra.

You know what the sensible and responsible thing to do is, so do it.

liverbird10 · 18/08/2018 05:14

CAT!!! Not car!

StopAndChat · 18/08/2018 05:30

Can anyone send me a link to the statistics so I can read the info for myself?

How bizarre that you couldn't neuter your dog because it seemed 'cruel' yet you seem quite fine to play the odds and hope she doesn't get something preventable that could actually KILL her. Because it could you realise? Reading 'stats' won't change that. There is absolutely a chance your dog could get it and absolutely a chance that you won't notice until it's well advanced and absolutely a chance that your vet may deem her too old for an operation at all by then.

But hey, wait on your 'stats'

villainousbroodmare · 18/08/2018 06:02

I'm a vet. I don't currently have the statistics at my fingertips but I will say this to you. There is every chance your bitch will develop a pyo. It could be 50: 50 or greater (odds not in her favour). If she does, she has a greater than 50% chance of dying, depending on when you notice it. Her tiny size and increasing age are serious factors against her.

Get her spayed asap. It's 2018. We can ptevent the animals we love from dying of painful awful diseases in many cases.

While you are at it, get her teeth seen to. I am willing to bet that you have never done that either and that she won't let you brush them, and I can easily imagine what they are likely to look like.

FancyADoughnut · 18/08/2018 06:13

It isn't just about the 'stats' of her developing it which are high. I am sure you could do the search yourself if you wanted. The internet isn't just filled with cat videos, it actually has research papers online for lots of things if you look.

Also imagine the two scenarios and work out which one will have the better outcome. 1. A spay which is booked in when the dog is well. Blood tests can be taken and any conditions managed carefully. Operation is done with no rush and aftercare is relatively simple.
Or number 2. Emergency surgery when your dog is gravely ill. Operation is done quickly working against the clock in the hope that they can save your dog. Aftercare now involves the operation and hoping your dog recovers from the ordeal and illness.

villainousbroodmare · 18/08/2018 06:15

Sorry. Sorry for expressing my opinion in an irritable way. But just do it.

Bananarama12 · 18/08/2018 06:23

There is no talking to a dog owner like this. I've tried many times.

Santaclarita · 18/08/2018 06:29

No one is being rude. You're the idiot that said breast cancer isn't relevant anymore in your first post.

But hey don't get the surgery because you feel bad about spaying her. I'm sure you know better than the experienced and knowledgeable vets.

PremierNaps · 18/08/2018 06:35

I didn't get my lab neutered because I believed that she was never going to go outside with other dogs and breed. When she was 6 she got pyo, I'd never heard of it but she was unwell and rushed her to the vet. She luckily survived but I felt so freaking guilty that this could of been prevented. Now I get all my dogs done because i wouldn't want them to go through something so dangerous.

You need to screw your statistics on this one and see what's best for your little girl.

Lonecatwithkitten · 18/08/2018 08:05

Another vet on holiday so no longer to the papers, but the 'stats' are etched on my heart - for unspayed bitches over eight years old the risk of a pyometra is 25% in any 12 months which means by the time they are 12 virtually all in-neutered bitches have had a pyo.
The surgery is so much riskier and it is the endotoxins released by the bacteria in the uterus that can kill in the 48 hours post surgery.
Universally owners whose dogs survive the surgery say they are better than they have been for months. These dogs feel like shit for months prior to having clinical signs. All owners without exception say that in future they will have bitches neutered younger.

lovelovelovepancakes · 18/08/2018 08:10

My vets & lots of others I've spoken to because I've done extensive research say to spay small breed bitches at 6 months and preferably before a season. If you wait until after the first season it actually reduces the benefits of spaying early.

Spay your bitch now op and then you don't have to live in fear of a disease that you can easily prevent.

Original poster
wallowinwater · 18/08/2018 08:17

Thanks to dog owners and vets who took the time to reply, really appreciate it.

OP posts:
ZanyMobster · 18/08/2018 08:43

This does make me pretty cross, literally anyone can own a dog, seriously you couldn't bring yourself to do it, very selfish and cruel.

I'm sorry but no one has been that unpleasant to you, I am surprised you haven't had a bigger flaming.

Pissedoffdotcom · 18/08/2018 08:47

Get her a health MoT before you make a decision. I say that because when i queried getting my 9 year old staff done (she was a rescue not one i'd had from scratch or she would have been done!) they decided against it for various reasons. The same with vaccinations.

If she is fit & well (obviously considering her age) then i'd say get her in asap. Pyo is bloody heartbreaking to see & if it kills her you will never forgive yourself

Original poster
wallowinwater · 18/08/2018 09:56

Gosh someone of you get really pissed off with someone trying to make an informed decision. I do intend to get her done, on back of the useful info vets and pet owners have given me.

OP posts:
ZanyMobster · 18/08/2018 10:12

Are you surprised people get pissed off. You are trying to make the decision now several years later than you should and the reason you didn't do it it earlier was for your own selfish reasons rather than for the dogs best interests.

I am sure you will do the right thing now.

missmouse101 · 18/08/2018 10:29

Good luck OP. You can book her in asap, now people have advised you, and put all the worry behind you. They recover so quickly, the worst thing is trying to keep her steady whilst the stitches are in! She'll be fine! Smile

VetOnCall · 18/08/2018 10:41

That's great wallow. I do understand why people worry about putting their pets through surgery, I'd be shit at my job if I didn't, but in this case the benefits so massively outweigh any risks that it's a no-brainer. You're doing the right thing for her. You can request pre-op checks which could put your mind at rest a bit too.

Original poster
wallowinwater · 18/08/2018 11:08

Booked in for wed, feel a lot better and getting her done and reassured it the right thing to do for her Smile

OP posts:
TheFaerieQueene · 18/08/2018 11:12

You need to stop anthropomorphising your dog. They don’t have an opinion about neutering because that don’t know what it is. Get her spayed.

serbska · 18/08/2018 11:22

I don’t understand people who don’t get their pets neutered.

Irresponsible and not very logical, just based on ‘feelkngs’ that you don’t like the idea of your ‘lil man having his nads chopped off squeamish about your
baby ‘girl’ having an operation.

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