There comes a time in a dog owner’s life when the decision comes: to spay or not to spay.
Spaying isn’t a tiny deal; it’s a significant surgical procedure with a fair bit of cost. It’s not only the surgery itself but the pain management as well.
Does Spaying a Dog Involve Anesthesia?
Yes, spaying a dog requires putting your dog under anesthesia. It will depend on the animal’s size, and it’s ultimately up to the vet’s discretion, but dogs will need to be put under to undergo this surgery.
Anesthesia is solely reserved for spaying procedures. It can be used for other surgeries, including dental work. Puppies and senior dogs are the most likely candidates for anesthesia.
How are Anesthesia Risks Mitigated?
Veterinarians take serious precautions before dog surgery, especially when anesthesia is utilized. A pre-surgical physical exam can be done alongside blood work and urine tests to see if there will be an excess risk from the dog using anesthesia.
Intravenous catheters can be used before administering anesthesia to ensure that a lifeline is placed should any issues arise. The use of intravenous fluids helps the dog maintain adequate blood pressure and quickly replaces any lost fluids.
From the owner’s standpoint, you can assist the veterinarian by handing over your dog’s entire medical history. It’s good to provide as much information about them as possible, even young ones. Most neutered dogs are between 6 to 10 months.
How Long is the Recovery Process After Spaying?
Dogs will typically start feeling better after a few hours following the spaying surgery. However, a full recovery can take upwards of 2 weeks. During this time, it’s important to keep your pet from jumping since this can cause their incision to reopen or be damaged.
Where Should You Place Your Dog After Neutering?
Owners should place their dogs in a quiet place apart from other animals or children. This will allow the dog maximum comfort as it recovers from the surgical experience.
Give your dog a reasonable amount of water but not too much to induce vomiting. It’s normal for your dog not to be very hungry the first day following a major surgery like this.
The veterinarian might also administer medications for several days following surgery, depending on the animal’s response.
Check your dog’s incision area for a few days, monitoring it for any sudden redness or swelling. Also, make sure that they are exhibiting relatively normal bathroom habits.
Is It Better to Spay a Dog After The First Heat?
For the health of your female dog, if they are not intended for breeding, they should be spayed before their second heat cycle.
What Are The Long-Term Benefits of Spaying a Dog?
Neutering a dog helps increase their chances of a healthier life if you don’t want them to reproduce.
Preventing unplanned pregnancies is an obvious benefit, as well as mitigating life-threatening infections like pyometra. Unspayed females are at higher risk of developing mammary tumors, while male dogs can benefit by becoming less aggressive. Spaying can curb many key behavioral issues in dogs.
How Much Does Spaying a Dog Cost?
Depending on the medications used and whether any complications exist, spaying a dog can cost anywhere between $40 and $500.
Although there are a few positives and negatives to balance when getting your dog neutered, it’s an important step for their overall health.
Getting your Sheepadoodle or Whoodle neutered is a good step for most owners who don’t want their dogs to reproduce.