It is important to make an informed decision when deciding whether to spay your dog or not. Benefits of spaying a pregnant dog . To put it in perspective, think about a human having a hysterectomy. Original Question: Hello, I just adopted 6-year-old Lab mix. Spaying female dogs has always been common, but what do you need to consider when making this decision to neuter your dog? I’ve researched some of the most common reasons why your spayed female dog still attracts male mates, as well as going through some solutions that might help you to solve the problem. Spaying a dog eliminates her period and the mess. Since spaying a female dog is a more complex surgery than neutering a male dog, you can expect to pay more for the procedure itself. Spaying or neutering can lead to a reduction in certain health risks for both female and male dogs. Puberty age is variable and depends on many factors. Another reason veterinarians settle on the six-month recommendation is that if a pet is not going to be bred, spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle has a significant benefit in terms of reducing the risk of mammary cancer. When a female dog is spayed, her uterus and ovaries are removed so that she cannot become pregnant. Spaying your dog eliminates the risk of an infection of the womb (called pyometra), which studies show affects up to 25 per cent of un-neutered bitches and can be fatal. A spay must be performed under general anesthesia by a veterinarian. When a dog enters heat, the hormones in her body change. Removing her womb means she cannot get a uterine infection (pyometra), and if neutering takes place before her second season, it has a protective effect against the development of mammary cancer later in life. The heat cycle is a difficult time for female dogs and owners of female dogs. Spaying and neutering is good for the dog population as a whole, and helps to avoid contributing to the problem of significant numbers of dogs being without homes. If your female dog is scheduled to be spayed, you'll need to give her some specialized care until she is fully healed. Spaying is a surgical procedure in which a female dog's ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes are removed to prevent reproduction. ‘Spaying’ is the term that refers to neutering a female. Spaying involves removal of the uterus and ovaries. Certainly older dogs can still get pregnant but she also a house dog, so she's probably unlikely coming into contact with entire male dogs. The word "spay" is a common term for ovariohysterectomy. Pregnancy risk. Deciding whether to spay Spaying or neutering a female dog is not a small operation, so owners should think carefully about all the pros and cons before deciding. Spaying renders a female dog unable to reproduce and eliminates her heat cycle. Is it too late to spay an old dog? Dog spaying is the surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus and the ovaries. Will spaying calm a female dog? I’ve never had a female dog before and she was never suppose to be our dog, but her owner abandoned her with us. Sure, there are some surgeries (like spaying a female dog) that’s become so common, many tend to think of it as routine. Neutering a female dog is routine surgery, but it is not a small operation. During a spay, both the ovaries and the uterus are removed. For female dogs specifically, here are some of the benefits why the owners are doing this. Spaying. For Toy and small breeds, spaying is scheduled at about 4 to 6 months old. Spaying renders a female dog unable to reproduce and eliminates her heat cycle. How much does it cost to spay a female dog? Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy. The main advantages of spaying are preventing pregnancy, preventing infection of the uterus (pyometra), preventing ovarian or uterine cancer and reducing the likelihood of mammary (breast) cancer, all of which can be life … Unspayed female dogs usually have a period twice a year, which can be a bloody mess. According to Merriam-Webster, spay means to remove the sex organ of a female dog especially its ovaries and uterus, blocking the dog’s capabilities to produce more babies. Ultimately, the question of whether a spayed female dog can still attract male mates is an incredibly complex issue. Spaying will also ensure that your dog will not develop ovarian cancer later in life. This is called an ovariohysterectomy. She seems to have a bit of anxiety otherwise she is a very good dog and we want to keep her. For female puppies, it’s important she isn’t spayed before the age of three months, as this can lead to health complications later on. The best time is when your dog has reached close to her full size and has not experienced a heat cycle.Ensuring your female dog cannot reproduce by the procedure known as spaying, is one of the most important parts of caring for the female dog. No more puppies in dog shelters. The medical term used for spaying is ovariohysterectomy. Spaying, like neutering, will lessen the number of dogs put to shelters. This is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a female dog's reproductive organs (the ovaries and uterus). But spaying a female dog is major, invasive surgery! Advantages. Spaying is the specific term given to the neutering of a female animal. Many believe a female dog should be spayed before her first heat cycle, and a male dog should be neutered within 6 months after birth. The thought of your dog having surgery is a scary one. We just had our dog spayed on Tuesday the 2nd. Likewise, female dogs also have the need to have puppies while in heat. If your bitch is suffering from pyometra and needs to be spayed as part of treatment, this will be more expensive than spaying a healthy dog. The dog spaying procedure involves your pet having an anaesthetic and then removal of her reproductive organs. So those are the big benefit of spaying a female dog in general. Besides preventing unwanted litters, spaying provides collateral benefits: Spayed females do not go into heat, they have reduced risks of breast cancer, and they will not be at risk of getting cysts or tumors of the female reproductive system. Spaying a female dog eliminates her heat cycle, and that alone carries many benefits. The procedure will permanently stop the dog from having heat cycles and being able to reproduce. So will spaying at this age is going to calm her down? Getting your female dog, or bitch, spayed is socially responsible. While others say that early spaying & neutering is too aggressive and spaying a dog after first heat is better as it will actually damage your pet’s health and shorten their lifespan if done too early. For female puppies, it’s important she isn’t spayed before the age of three months, as this can lead to health complications later on. With all of the benefits to spaying your female dog, it's important to keep in mind the possible complications that could occur once you have made the decision. My spayed female dog still attracts males. Neuter, on the other hand, is similar with spay, but it is the term used to remove the sex organ of male dogs. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed completely in order to sterilize a female dog. There are reasons why spaying and neutering are being done with both male and female animals. The cost of this will be more than the cost of ‘castrating’ a male. There are several pros and cons to spaying currently under scientific scrutiny; however, the overall consensus at this time is that spaying will increase the lifespan of a dog. Female dogs reach puberty between 6 and 10 months of age. In some cases, you can choose to remove only the ovaries, an ovariectomy. Spaying refers only to the procedure of sterilization of a female dog. Private clinics can charge between $200-$300 to spay a dog, and there can be added costs if your dog is in heat, pregnant, … If you are an owner who has to constantly keep an eye on your dog while in heat, the best thing to do is get her spayed. "Female dogs, like males, have an increased risk of aggression if left intact." When's the best time to get my puppy spayed? Dog spaying (bitch spaying procedure) - otherwise known as female neutering, dog sterilisation, "fixing", desexing, ovary and uterine ablation, uterus removal or by the medical term: ovariohysterectomy - is the surgical removal of a female dog's ovaries and uterus for the purposes of canine population control, medical health benefit, genetic-disease control and behavioral modification. Anasazi Animal Clinic says that the hormones of a heat or estrus cycle can cause some female dogs to be irritable, and some female dogs may even feel pain during the heat cycle. Now at 8 ½ years old, a dog is less likely to get pregnant. To avoid getting your female dog accidentally pregnant, spaying is advised before it reaches puberty. It involves withdrawal of the female dog’s uterus and both ovaries through a cut made in the abdomen. While this is a major procedure, it’s also routinely performed. Today I am ranting about the side effects of spaying a female dog. Neutering is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testes and is performed under general anesthesia. A spayed female dog cannot reproduce because her uterus and ovaries have been removed. All vaccination are up to date except she is not spayed. Neutering female dogs - advantages and disadvantages. Will spaying calm a female dog? This fluctuation can cause some dogs to become irritable or stressed, and may cause her to act out. I had noticed about 5 days prior she was getting ready to go into heat. Whereas, spaying is a veterinary surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. When’s the best time to get my puppy spayed? Appropriate care after spaying a dog can help to reduce the chance of complications, allowing your dog to heal in the comfort of your home. A female dog has her first heat cycle when she is 6 to 9 months old. Your dog is a member of the family, after all. In addition to the medical benefits listed above, there can be a significant improvement in your dog’s behavior after you spay her.