My girl Daisy was spayed yesterday. She is 6, and the vet recommended it, due to complications that can occur in older, unspayed dogs. I bred her when she was two and four, and had been putting the surgery off since then.

I must say, I was mortified when they brought her in the room when we came to pick her up. My lab was spayed last year, as a rescue, and aside from a little vomiting from the anesthesia, you couldn't tell from her behavior that anything was wrong. Of course, Puddin was under 2, and I think it really makes a difference.

I was totally unprepared to see my love in such distress. She looked pale (and I didn't even think a dog could look pale) and had such an expression on her face, it wretched my heart in my chest. I could see pain and fear in her eyes, and I just got on the floor and wrapped my arms around her and cried. I felt so bad, and responsible for her pain. I never dreamed it would effect me like that. I mean, I knew how much I love Daisy. If you could have a soul mate as a dog, she would fufill that and then some. I just don't know how I am gonna get through her geriatric stages, and eventually her  death. I wish I could keep her forever I guess, but I know that I can't. I want to provide her with the best experiences and life that I can, and I felt that the spaying was one way to ensure her health in years to come. Boy was it hard though.

She seems better this morning. She is more alert (no more morphine in her system), and she was wagging her stump a lil in return for her kisses she got. She still is uniterested in eating or drinking, but I hope that will pass today.

I really wish I could be with her today! I think employers should allow family sick time for pets too. She is as significant to me as a child would be. She has a sitter, but I know that no one could be as attentive as I am with her. Well, seven more agonizing hours and  then I can take care of her tonight.

Anyone else have a tough time with this stuff??

Weimamama26

I have heard about dogs that have been aloud to go home way too soon after the operation. The anethesia is still well in effect.

I have also read numerous times, that there is no evidence that keeping a dog in tact causes problems later on!

 Frank

OMG Mama,

I totally understand! ...When it was time for Sampson to be nuetered, I was in tears when I dropped him off at the vet in the morning...I was SO scared something was going to go wrong... I made my vet promise me the minute he was finished I would get a call to say my boy was still beathing! I got a call when he went in, and I got the call when it was finished... where my vet took perverse pleasure in telling me  me "my little man" mauled one of his vet techs...  My little baby guy???  .. must be some mistake ....well, the minute he saw his mama he was all talking at me to take him home...I felt SO bad for him, all groggy... he was better after he was home, fed and with his dog brothers....

it does sound like your girl came home too soon...

Another good reason to SPAY your dog.......

Pyometra is a uterine infection where the uterus fills with pus. Pyometra is common in unspayed dogs.

Pyometra is a serious uterine infection that is potentially fatal and can occur in unspayed animals. During the animal's heat cycle, or estrus cycle, her cervix relaxes and opens a little, this can allow bacteria to enter her uterus. When the cervix closes the bacteria is trapped.

The body is usually able to fight off infections but if the immune system is somehow compromised then a pyometra can develop. The bacteria usually seen in pyometra is E. Coli although other bacterias have been to blame. Usually dogs and cats presented with pyometras are middle aged to older and within 60 days of their last heat cycle.

Symptoms of Pyometra: Pyometras can present as either open or closed. In the open form the cervix is open and there is a foul smelling discharge from the vagina. In the closed form the cervix is closed so there will be no discharge. The closed pyometra is harder to diagnose and the patient is usually sicker because the body is retaining the infection in the uterus.

Symptoms of pyometra include, but are not limited to: very smelly vaginal discharge, enlarged abdomen because of the uterus filling with pus, vomiting, not eating, lethargy, drinking more, urinating more, and dehydration.

Treatment of Pyometra: If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, take her to the veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will probably want to run blood work and do an x-ray of the abdomen. The blood work will show the doctor how well the organs are functioning and how bad the infection is.

An x-ray will show the enlarged uterus and rule out pregnancy. The preferred treatment for a pyometra is an ovariohysterectomy, commonly called spay. The patient is usually very ill from the infection so surgery is a risk but if the uterus ruptures the dog or cat will go into shock and die. The patient will need IV fluids to correct the dehydration, and antibiotics to fight infection.

If the pyometra is not closed and you do not want to spay your dog (cats almost always need surgery) your pet will probably be treated with IV fluids for dehydration and receive antibiotics and a medication to expel pus from the uterus and alter the hormone levels. If this treatment does not work, or if the pyometra is closed, then surgery should be done to save the life of your pet. If the non-surgical treatment is a success 26% - 40% of females will have a recurrence of pyometra within one year.

Post Operative Care: If surgery was elected then you'll need to keep your pet quiet for a couple of weeks following surgery so she has a chance to heal before going back to normal life. Keep an eye on the incision, check it daily and look for signs of infection. If you notice redness, swelling, or discharge then call your veterinarian.

If you think the incision is open call your veterinarian immediately. Pain medications and antibiotics will probably be prescribed; give as instructed. Follow closely any post operative instructions given by your veterinarian to avoid any complications.

Complications Include: bladder infections, peritonitis (infection of the abdomen), Sepsis (poisoning from toxins in the blood or tissues), clotting disorders from the infection, and death.

Additional Information: Spaying your dog or cat will prevent pyometra. If your dog or cat develops a pyometra, early and aggressive treatment is necessary to save the life of your pet.

Thanks for the well wishes and snout kisses. Daisy was feeling much better last night  and this morning. She has started eating better and is getting up and around on her own. She even had company from "grandma" this morning. There seems to be a never ending battle of whether to spay or neuter our pets. It boils down to personal preference i think. I know that there have been studies of the benefits of spaying, and I do think there are definitely benefits. Not only of infection, but aging dogs are more at risk of reproductive system cancers due to hormone fluctutations and various other factors. I feel like I made the right choice for me, but there is no doubt that it was hard. I think by tomorrow she will be at 100% again, and that makes me happy.  I don't like the thoughts of her having to suffer too much. Anyways, thank you all for your stories. They helped a bunch!

 Glad Daisy is feeling better

With respect to spay/neuter, I have 2 altered and 1 intact... Unc is and will remain unaltered- he's epileptic, arthritic, had pancreatitis this past winter and he's only 6...I'm not taking any chances with anesthesia...that's all I'm sayin'

"During the animal's heat cycle, or estrus cycle, her cervix relaxes and opens a little, this can allow bacteria to enter her uterus. When the cervix closes the bacteria is trapped."

This CAN happen to a healthy dog. And a healthy dog CAN get cancer and by spaying/neutering decreases the chance of any reproductive cancer greatly.

Daisy is doing very well now. She gets her stitches out Thursday (thank goodness- she has kept me busy correcting her for licking them). I think that her recovery went well, and we have bonded even more through the experience. I think I needed more emotional support from her than she did from me, and of course she knew it. We have spent countless hours cuddling on the couch and watching television over the last week. Now my only worry is going to be weight gain. I know how hard the extra pounds can be on their hips and joints, and Daisy is starting to move into her senior stages. My lab put on at least 15 pounds after being spayed, but she was a little underweight coming from the pound. It has been tough to get her down 5 pounds. I guess we will see.

Glad to hear Daisy is doing alot better, its a scary thing when our furbabies are hurting and stressed. 

I got my rescrue Dachshund Rudy when he was 10, he was a puppy mill dog from birth and he wasnt neuted and like to lift his leg to everything.  My vet said it would be ok to have him fix, but I just couldnt do it because of his age and hes been fine.

Susan