To Spay, Or Not To Spay

Should you or shouldnt you? Spaying prevents the animal from bearing young or coming into season. The female will normally come into season (or heat) for the first time between the age of 6 or 7 months old. This period lasts about 3 weeks and usually occurs twice a year until the end of her life. All female dogs will have a bloody discharge. Anywhere from slight to heavy bleeding may occur. If you do not want your pet to have a litter or go through her heat deriods, than GET HER SPAYED. Spaying will not change her personality or physical conditions an, contrary to popular myth, spaying does not make an animal fat and lazy, only if their owner/guardian can by over feeding her or not giving her enough excerise. Allmost all "Seeing-eye" dogs are spayed females! Spaying does lower the metabolic rate, so less food is required. If spaying is performed before the animal is sexually mature (before the first heat) mammory tumors, pyometra and genitourinary infections can be prevented. These conditions are very common in unspayed females. What is the operation? The operation is an ovariohysterectomy. It is a major (but not long) surgery and a general enaesthetic is required. After the animal to be spayed is prepared for surgery and anaesthetized, a 2 - 3 inch incision is made in the abdomen, the entire uterus and the ovaries are than removed. The incision is then closed again by stiching it back together. When should it be done? An animal can be spayed at any time. However, there are certain times when the risks of surgery are greater, such as while she is in heat, when very close to delivering a litter, or when she is not in good general health. These times are to be avoided, if possible. Most veterinarians feel there is no advantage to allowing her to have a litter. Vets generally agree that the best age to spay a female is around 5 - 6 months of age, before the female is in heat. Since animals mature at different rates, leave the precise timing up to your vet. It is recommended to wait 2-3 weeks after weaning a litter or 3 weeks or more after passing through her heat. How long will she have to be in the hospital? Dogs that have been spayed are hospitalized from one to three days, depending on the health and age of the dog, as well as the requirements of the particular vet. What about aftercare? Not much aftercare is required after spaying. It is important that you do not feed or give your dog (or cat) water for the first hour after getting home. Many dogs/cats are very excited on returning home and sometimes make themselves ill by eating and dirnking too much right after they arrive home. Confine your pet to the house, if possible, and (if a dog)  take her out on a leash long enough to go potty and very short walks for the first 3-5 days. Prevent her from jumping up and down as much as possible, do not let her play with other dogs, block off any stairs and take away most of her toys, as this could strech and open the incision. Keeping her as quiet as possible will help her heal quicker. Prevent the dog or cat from licking, biting and chewing at her stiches. If you notice her doing so and cannot prevent it, call your veterinarian for advise. Finally, you will have to make an appointment to have the stiches removed - usually 12 to 14 days after the surgery. How much will it cost? Modern surgery by skilled veterinarians cannot be performed cheaply. Your veterinarian is obligated, legally and morally, to perform surgery in a humane and sterile manner.  A spay can cost $80 or more - that's a lot of money! And yet, compared to other costs of owning a dog, the cost of neutering is still a bargain. Many times shelters will have vouchers or certificates to help with the cost of spaying and neutering of adopted animals. Just ask your shelter for more information!  Spaying will save endless worry, inconvenience, expense and possibly, theunpleasant task of having lovable, unwanted puppies destroyed. Can I recieve help for the vet bills? Yes. Many shelters, clinics and vet offices have programs that will assist you financially in getting your male or female dog and or cat fixed. Just ask and they can provide you will names, numbers and more information. If you live in the Tri-Lakes Region (Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake) there is a place located in Lake Placid called Pet Care. After calling 518-891-3748, explain your situation and they will decide the amount they will help you with!!