Not to get my chihuahua neutered?

[wallowinwater]

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

I’ve had 2 dogs get pyo when they were older. Caught in time both times thankfully but dogs were very poorly and was scary as thought they wouldn’t survive. Always make sure dogs neutered now, no matter what age they are when I get them. Hope op goes well

Well done! Do update afterwards

Having watched someone I know lose one dog to Pyo and almost lose a second which cost a fortune in vet bills, please don’t take the risk. My girl will be getting spayed in November after her third season.

We nearly lost a Jack Russell to Pyo. Very frightening and expensive. We'd never had her spayed as she never had any seasons- no bleeding and just a puffed up vulva.
She was 11 when she had an emergency op to spay her and sort out the Pyo.
Please don't go through what we did.

Goos job OP. If you're still fretful when the day comes just have a chat with the vet when you book her in. I hated leaving mine at the vet for anything but a quick chat & seeing how good the staff were always helped

You are being cruel NOT to get her spayed

Jeezo. I just googled pyometria.

Am now considering getting myself spayed - that's horrific.

Neuter your dog, you know you should have already done it.

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria I would be spayed tomorrow if they would do it. My child beating days are over, I have no need of my uterus unfortunately the doctors don't see it like that.

Why would you think putting a bitch through a lifetime of seasons better than neutering her. Does she enjoy the changes that a season can engender: the likelihood of feelings of sadness every time and possible phantom pregnancies?

I knew someone whose unspayed older bitch had breast cancer. Can't imagine why you think it's no longer a risk now your dog is older. What that poor dog went through was awful.

As pp said, it's cruel not to spay a bitch.

I think it's a good idea but second Avocadoes on finding somewhere that does 'keyhole' (laparoscopic) spaying rather than traditional. Keyhole is less invasive, faster and less painful recovery. It costs slightly more than traditional spaying but the lessening of trauma makes it worth it. My vet practice hasn't done the traditional kind for 10 years, so I assume 'keyhole' is fairly widely available.

She's booked in, chill out now, people!

@Lonecatwithkitten I'm glad to hear you no long beat children

PSA: Everybody, PLEASE get your pets neutered unless you intend to breed them! (Or, in the case of some people, you got them when they were old and the vets advised against neutering.) Altering eliminates the risk of certain medical conditions, decreases unwanted behaviours, and decreases unwanted pregnancies. Even if your pet is an inside pet and never goes out, there's always the possibility they could get out through a damaged screen or a door accidentally left open. Neutering is probably one of the safest operations vets perform. If you are concerned about cost, you might see if there is a subsidy available in your area, perhaps through your local RSPCA.

(Yes, I am aware that the OP is having her dog spayed.)

Gets off soapbox and takes off vet's daughter hat

She's had her op and was very wobbly yesterday but is almost back to normal today

Oh that's good to hear.

My little chi is due to be spayed in November and I'm dreading it. SHe will be 18 months old but I'll still dreadibf it. My poor baby

Brilliant news