Doc, do I Really need to spay Fluffy?
If I had a nickel for every time a well meaning client asks this question, I would have....probably taken an extended vacation to a tropical island to sip little umbrella- drinks under a palm tree.
The answer is (still the same): "Yes, you Should definitely spay Fluffy."
If breast cancer does not scare you, and it should ( one out of four female dogs who were either not spayed/ or spayed after the critical second heat cycle will get it)
I hope this picture will inch you closer to making the decision.
An ovariohysterectomy (spay) on a young healthy dog or cat is a relatively cheap surgery, which your beloved pet will only need once during its lifetime.
On the other hand, the price goes up about ten fold and the risk much higher if you wait until your pet develops pyometra.
image of a pyometra.
What you are seeing is a ginormous puss-filled uterus, which was ready to burst inside this dog's abdomen. The patient narrowly escaped septic peritonitis.
Fortunately, she survived, with her owner much wiser for the experience.
Your female dog might not be so lucky.
There is a critical period during which a pet owner should watch for pyometra. This is usually 4-6 weeks after the female goes through a heat cycle.
Symptoms to watch for are:
- increased thirst
- decreased appetite
- depression
- discharge or licking at the vulva
- bloating
- vomiting (late sign)
- weight loss
So....believe me when I say: " you really should spay Fluffy"
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