Should I get my dog spayed?

[j80jpw]

I have my 6 year old working cocker booked in at the vets to be spayed on Monday.

She's in fine health, has a great personality and hasn't had any medical issues at all to date. She had a litter of pups at 3.

Every time we go to the vets for boosters etc they say you really should get her spayed. The reason being to prevent cancer in her ovaries, womb infections etc.

I'm having my doubts now however, does it really reduce the risk that much? Seems a bit drastic as a just in case?

[pad58]

In the same boat , but our Millie a lab is 8 although no pups.
She been into 3 seasons this year alone ,this one being the biggest , however the vet can't perform the op until she comes out of season .
Hopefully this will stop so we can get her in.
Get it done.

[jmsgld]

The most commonly cited reason for spaying dogs is reduction in risk of mammary cancer, this is only useful if spayed before the 3rd season.

Ovarian cancer has a reported incidence of between 0.5 and 6%, ie between 0.5 and 6 entire elderly bhes will get it.

Pyometra approx 2% per annum. ie 2 dogs per 100 entire bhes over 6 years of age per year.

Both are potentially fatal. The risk of both of these would be reduced to zero.

It's up to you.

Pyo - womb infection - think of pregnant with pus - usually a month or two after season, off colour increased drinking and panting +- discharge. Pyo surgery is higher risk and hence more expensive than a routine spay, approx £1k.

If I had a 6 year old bh that I was not going to breed from I would spay her.

[jmsgld]

If she's had 3 seasons in 4 months, I would be a little concerned that there was something else going on in the background, I would bring this up with your vet as it might be an indication to get her done sooner rather than later.

Take photos of the discharge / take her into the vet's when the discharge is present.

[bexVN]

26yrs as a vet nurse I would absolutely say spay. I have seen too many bhes end up having lifesaving emergency spays to pyometras when they are older to say not too.

Of course routine surgery is not 100% risk free but it is very very low compared to the risks with a pyo.

At her age it will make very little difference to the risk of mammary tumour development though, she would need to have been spayed before her 3rd season at the latest to make any difference to that.

It is understandable to have concerns but generally I would say it is one less health issue to think about as they age.

[bexVN]

pad58 said:

In the same boat , but our Millie a lab is 8 although no pups.
She been into 3 seasons this year alone ,this one being the biggest , however the vet can't perform the op until she comes out of season .
Hopefully this will stop so we can get her in.
Get it done.

Ask them if she would be a candidate for Galastop? Usually used to stop false pregnancies quicker but they are going to have to do something soon as that many seasons already is a real concern.

[j80jpw]

jmsgld said:

The most commonly cited reason for spaying dogs is reduction in risk of mammary cancer, this is only useful if spayed before the 3rd season.

Ovarian cancer has a reported incidence of between 0.5 and 6%, ie between 0.5 and 6 entire elderly bhes will get it.

Pyometra approx 2% per annum. ie 2 dogs per 100 entire bhes over 6 years of age per year.

Both are potentially fatal. The risk of both of these would be reduced to zero.

It's up to you.

Pyo - womb infection - think of pregnant with pus - usually a month or two after season, off colour increased drinking and panting +- discharge. Pyo surgery is higher risk and hence more expensive than a routine spay, approx £1k.

If I had a 6 year old bh that I was not going to breed from I would spay her.

Thanks jms, exactly the informed answer I was looking for. Are you a vet by any chance?

[j80jpw]

bexVN said:

26yrs as a vet nurse I would absolutely say spay. I have seen too many bhes end up having lifesaving emergency spays to pyometras when they are older to say not too.

Of course routine surgery is not 100% risk free but it is very very low compared to the risks with a pyo.

At her age it will make very little difference to the risk of mammary tumour development though, she would need to have been spayed before her 3rd season at the latest to make any difference to that.

It is understandable to have concerns but generally I would say it is one less health issue to think about as they age.

Thanks bex, good to have it confirmed by someone in the know, will take her in Monday

[Einion Yrth]

Anyone else think the routine censoring of the perfectly normal term for female dog is, f'cking ridiculous? Oh, and my opinion is worth nothing against those of the professionals, and I'm a cat man, but I've always had my quns spayed.

[bexVN]

j80jpw said:

bexVN said:

26yrs as a vet nurse I would absolutely say spay. I have seen too many bhes end up having lifesaving emergency spays to pyometras when they are older to say not too.

Of course routine surgery is not 100% risk free but it is very very low compared to the risks with a pyo.

At her age it will make very little difference to the risk of mammary tumour development though, she would need to have been spayed before her 3rd season at the latest to make any difference to that.

It is understandable to have concerns but generally I would say it is one less health issue to think about as they age.

Thanks bex, good to have it confirmed by someone in the know, will take her in Monday

Don't be afraid to ask any questions when you go in and consider pre anaesthetic bloods (never a bad thing to do esp in our middle aged four legged friends.

[bexVN]

j80jpw said:

bexVN said:

26yrs as a vet nurse I would absolutely say spay. I have seen too many bhes end up having lifesaving emergency spays to pyometras when they are older to say not too.

Of course routine surgery is not 100% risk free but it is very very low compared to the risks with a pyo.

At her age it will make very little difference to the risk of mammary tumour development though, she would need to have been spayed before her 3rd season at the latest to make any difference to that.

It is understandable to have concerns but generally I would say it is one less health issue to think about as they age.

Thanks bex, good to have it confirmed by someone in the know, will take her in Monday

Don't be afraid to ask any questions when you go in and consider pre anaesthetic bloods (never a bad thing to do esp in our middle aged four legged friends.

[jmsgld]

I am indeed, how did she go?

[j80jpw]

All is well thanks.

She was a little dozy and sore for a couple of days but she's had the stitches out and is back to normal now. Just as mad and obsessed with playing ball as ever.

Glad it's done, thanks again for the advice!

[bexVN]

[jmsgld]

No worries, glad all is well.