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Original poster

Following on from the neutering male dogs thread, come and tell me about neutering female puppies

24 replies

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 17:42

so that I know what to expect.

We have booked our puppy in to be sterilised (is that the right terminology) on 1st April and already I am feeling guilty.

I know it will hurt her and confuse her, but how long will it take before she gets over it? Will she be in pain long?

I know I will be a bundle of nerves by the time the 1st April comes around. How silly, but she is my PFD (precious first dog)

OP posts:

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 21:07

anyone?

OP posts:

PfftTheMagicDragon · 19/03/2009 21:17

We did out bitch before her first season (I think vet recommendations vary though). She was groggy from the drugs for a couple of hours and then after that, she was the same as always. Honestly, you would never have known that she had an op from the way she was behaving.

Disclaimer: she is a Springer. so desire for being nutso outweighs anything else.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 19/03/2009 21:17

our bitch, even

bella29 · 19/03/2009 21:18

Bonsoir, madame

Biggish scary looking scar, possibly with a big plastic lampshade-type collar to stop her chewing her stitches. Your biggest problem may be keeping her nice and quiet once the anaesthetic's after effects have worn off - it's a hysterectomy after all and she is supposed to avoid anything strenuous after having it done, but of course in young dogs that isn't easy.

Modern pain relief is very effective and good vets will actually give pain meds before the op, so that by the time she wakes up she won't even be hurting.

Expect her to be pretty quiet when you first get her home and then, as I said, you just have to work really hard at limiting her running/jumping/general exertion.

All the best

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 21:20

My parents had a springer, they are seriously daft. Lovely dogs, but plain mad.

Our puppy is a Maltese Terrier/Cavalier King Charles so no idea how she will be. She is not nearly as active as a springer.

OP posts:

Mutt · 19/03/2009 21:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 21:22

Bella
Our biggest problem will probably be keeping our DCs away from her so she has some peace and quiet.

Good to know that she wont be in pain.

OP posts:

twoluvlykids · 19/03/2009 21:22

Aw, I remember when you got your pup.

Is she still utterly adorable?

She'll most likely be fine after the op, just keep her on a lead when she's out for a walk.

bella29 · 19/03/2009 21:24

Does she have a crate? If not, try to set her up a nice quiet bed in an area where she won't be disturbed. They are usually more awake when you pick them up at the vets (due to the unusual surroundings) but once you get them home they just want to sleep.

Mutt · 19/03/2009 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 21:25

She is still utterly adorable, more so if possible. She is very sweet natured, lovely with children, incredibly affectionate. My DH was a bit about getting a dog and he now greets her for 5 mins before even saying hello to me. He even let her lick his face recently.

She is not off lead at the moment anyway as she wont come back.

Starting doggy training classes soon to get to grips with that.

OP posts:

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 21:27

We do have a crate but she does not use it really. She has a blanket in the corner of the living room and a bed under our bed where she hides when the DC get too much for her.

She gets car sick at the best of times, so the drive home may be the worst for her.

OP posts:

bella29 · 19/03/2009 21:29

And spayed is the generallly used term, or neutered if you prefer.

Or for boy dogs, having one's pockets emptied

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 21:58

Lol at having the pockets emptied.

Thanks all, am feeling a bit calmer about it now.

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Goober · 19/03/2009 22:01

Our bitch had 2 seasons before we had her spayed. It is kinder apparently.

FairMidden · 19/03/2009 22:19

Goober, it's not kinder per se.

Different vets have different policies about when to neuter. There are benefits and disadvantages to neutering at certain ages, but none of these relate to "kindness".

Just didn't want anyone feeling they'd done a terrible thing by having their bitch neutered before she'd had 2 seasons!

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 22:51

I have heard two different theories from two different vets in the same practice. We decided to go for the spaying before the first season mainly because there seems to be no clear indication that it there is any problem with that.

Added to that, we live on a main road on the way out of the village where loads of the village dogs are walked out towards the fields. We could not let our dog out in the garden if she were in season. Not to mention that the dog next door would be at the fence all the time.

So, yes, it is a bit of convienience for us, but if there was a clear concensous that it would be better for her to have a season or two, then we would wait.

OP posts:

FairMidden · 19/03/2009 22:58

Mme, as I said before, there are pros and cons.

Spaying before the first season reduces the risks of mammary cancer by around 80% IIRC. It also avoids the inconvenience and risk (eg of escape and injury or physical risk due to pregnancy) associated with a season. However, I believe that it leads to a greater likelihood of urinary incontinence in later life - which is usually easily treated, by the way.

Spaying after the first season but before the second affords around a 15% reduction in risk of mammary cancer and a moderate increase in likelihood of developing treatable urinary incontinence later on. It also has the benefit that you can time the surgery to ensure that the bitch is well out of season and so hormonal activity and blood flow to the womb is minimal.

I think either can be justified, and a decision should really be made on an individual basis and following discussion with a vet. I should be able to find you refs at some point if you want but it's late and I'm going to bed now!

Original poster

MmeLindt · 19/03/2009 23:33

Thanks, Fairmidden. No, don't bother looking for too much info. I have dithered and worried about it too long, I don't want to change my mind now. The vets both said that there are risks and advantages in both spaying before first season and in waiting. We have made the decision, we will go ahead with it. Thanks anyway.

OP posts:

oopsagain · 20/03/2009 10:30

i don't think springers are a breed that usualy get incontinence later in life anyway- so i think on balance the life saving reduction in mamm cancer outwieghs the risk of incont for your dog...
IMHO

higgle · 20/03/2009 11:23

My first and most loved dog, Boots, a scurrilous, crafty and highy intelligent mongrel was a bit of an escape artist and ran away the day she came back from being spayed, once she was over the anaesthetic she was back to normal ( found about 5 miles away chasing fish in someones garden fishpond)

claricebeansmum · 20/03/2009 11:28

Glad to find this thread. Our puppy is supposed to be spayed after Easter, before first season.

To be honest the thought of more than one of her in hthe house makes me worry. She is so ditzy and also part kangaroo. It would be chaos.

PaulaMummyKnowsBest · 22/03/2009 10:33

my vet told me to bring my puppy in at about 6 months old to see if she is mature enough to be spayed.

She may or may not have had a season by then

georgimama · 22/03/2009 10:36

Our bitch was much more knocked about by being spayed than our dog, it is after all a muc hmore serious operation. Quiet, rest, and little and often offers of light food such as scrambled egg or porridge is the best thing.

You are doing the right thing having her done, have no doubt about that. My parents nearly lost their (long departed now) beloved lab bitch to pyrometra because she wasn't spayed. A horrible condition which is often fatal.

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