Surgery Stuff
| October 6, 2017 | Posted by Melinda under Vet & Sports Medicine |
Are you curious what difference age makes when spaying a dog?
Warning, *graphic surgery images below.
*By graphic I mean that yes there is blood. And surgery instruments. And a piece of tissue (a uterus) that used to be inside the dog that is no longer inside the dog. There is NOT gaping wounds, anything recognizable as “dog”, or guts anywhere to be seen. I swear. Both pictures are taken *during surgery* which means you get to see them on my work surface – a surgery drape – “in situ”.
This is not a post that should keep you from spaying your older dog, and I’m not trying to start a debate about when is the “best” time to spay a female dog. I was happy to spay the second dog – she won’t get a pyometra and she was a sweet thing who’s getting a chance to live a different life than she’s had so far. These pictures are a great way to illustrate why some clinics will charge you more for spaying older animals. It’s a lot more work!
PS – here’s the simplified flyer I made for clients if they want to see it.
I’ll include it in the binder of pictures I’ll show clients of “why you should keep the ecollar on”. Kidding. Sorta.
It might also explain the expanding waistline on older women who have had children late . . . at least I would like to think so.
Hahahahaha! The amount of fat that is packed away in the abdomen is impressive and I’m told humans are similar.
I’m getting a male puppy tomorrow- nice Kelpie from a friend who raises working dogs. We’d had a plan that they would keep and raise 2 females and I would get the one with less of a work ethic (just want a pet) but plan was foiled by a litter of 6 males and only one female. Anyhow, what is the best age to neuter a male?
If the dog isn’t in a shelter situation or rescue were his life depends on being neutered and a very young age such as eight weeks, my recommendation is to wait until they are aLittle older. Six months is a good age because then any issues with retained puppy teeth can be taken care of at the same time under the same anesthesia. Personally I like to wait until after a dog hits puberty. Which can be as late as 12 to 18 months. It really depends on the dogs environment, home life, and personality. Along with breed and intended job. Good luck!
Sorry to be commenting so long after the post. I have recently neutered my large breed male at 16 months. He is a sweet, “soft” dog, however he is a dog that neutered males tend to try to attack. He was bitten on the front leg quite badly once, at 12 months old and we got him over the fear from that before neutering. Also we’re coming into summer and I believe there is an unspeyed bitch near us as he started fence pacing at home and acting like a dog looking for an in heat bitch when we walked past a particular group of houses… He was losing weight and getting incredibly frustrated! Apparently he isn’t the type of dog that is able to keep his head even semi straight around in heat bitches!
Just took Woody to the local vet for shots yesterday and he mentioned that he thought neutering a little younger (though still after 6 months) was easier on the dog and recovery. I’m thinking over spring break, when he will be around 9 months. He still stays in his kennel when unsupervised here on the place, but I don’t want him catching any scents- there’s plenty of country around to get lost in if he were to get out. By the way, he is turning out to be an awesome dog- tons of energy but accepts confinement well. I work hard to get him plenty of exercise and am counting on him to lose me 5 pounds this winter!