Skip to main content

At what age should a dog be sterilized?



Many recommend for female puppies to be spayed before their first heat cycle, which can occur as early as 5 months of age

However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young for dogs as they have not been allowed to fully develop and grow. This can result in a higher risk of orthopedic problems.

At what age should a dog be sterilized?

There is a significantly higher risk of performing surgery when a dog is in heat due to fragility of blood vessels and propensity for them to bleed internally. Given that do not perform surgery while a dog is in heat

How to prepare for the surgery?

Before

Food and water must be withheld the night before the surgery to prevent vomiting and aspiration (for at least eight hours before surgery)

Aspiration refers to the reaction to anesthesia which causes your pet to vomit during the procedure, and the vomit travels into the lungs rather than through the stomach and intestines.

I would recommend waiting to neuter your female dog until she has gone through 2-3 heat cycles. So after 14-18 months of age.

The decision about when to neuter your pet is one you should make with a trusted veterinarian.

Are blood tests and a physical examination
necessary before sterilization?

Pre-surgical blood work typically consists of two different blood tests. The first test is called a Complete Blood Count (or CBC). This basic blood test shows us the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which can be helpful in diagnosing anemia (low red blood cells), systemic infections, and potential blood clotting deficiencies.

The second blood test usually performed before surgery is called a Chemistry, which will show the veterinarian how the kidneys and the liver are working to determine the risk of anesthesia

Recovery and Aftercare

Can they eat food and drink water after surgery?

Once your dog gets home from the vet, you can offer her small amounts of water.

Too much water, even if your dog is thirsty, can cause vomiting.

An hour after the water, if the dog has not vomited offer a small portion of the dog's regular food. If your dog vomits or refuses to eat do not force it.

You should wait until the next day to offer food again.

Incisions and stitches -

Incisions need to stay dry.

Watch out for the following -

•Redness or swelling

•Torn stitches or an open incision

•Discharge or bad odor coming from the site

•Bleeding, especially 36 hours or more after the procedure 

Prevent licking and chewing:

It is important to keep your pet from chewing or constantly licking at the incision.

You may need the dreaded cone, also known as an Elizabethan collar, to prevent your pet from irritating their incision site.

Medication:

Your vet will most likely give your pup something for the pain before you leave the clinic.

Under no circumstances should you give the dog/cat over-the-counter medication intended for humans without first consulting your vet.

What does it cost to neuter a puppy/ kitten or dog/cat?

The cost of neutering varies across the country, and depending on the facility where the surgery is done.

You should check with a trusted veterinarian to determine prices in your area.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW TO AVOID & PREPARE FOR SEPERATION ANXIETY IN PETS POST COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

Your pets may be spending more time than ever with us due to the proposed lockdown initiative. However, once the lockdown is lifted, there's a chance some pets may suffer from separation anxiety when we return to our normal routines. One of the few benefits of the coronavirus lockdown is getting to spend more time with your furriers. Even though your pet doesn't know why you're around so much, it's likely they're loving all the attention. But eventually, things will go back to normal. And when that time comes, your pet may struggle staying alone again for extended amounts of time. Even pets that have previously been acclimated to daily isolation may find it tough. The transition between constant company and too little or no company is a big one. So, to avoid this you can practice the below-mentioned points which could lead to an easier and a hassle-free transition and can teach your pets to cope up with post- lockdown separation anxiety:       * ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Parle-G biscuits: Are they "poisonous" for dogs?

Love dogs? What do you feed them often, parle-G? Stop right now, you're "poisoning" the doggie! Yes, you heard that right. Very often people are seen feeding strays with biscuits as they're handy. Having considered a good source of energy(in humans) also cheap and available, Parle-G biscuits are preferred the most when it comes to feeding stray dogs. But did you know, everytime you feed a stray dog with a pack of Parle-G biscuits, you're actually initiating the vitiating of their organs? Biscuits contain high amount of sugar and salt which if given to dogs over a long period of time, may cause serious health issues in them. Just as in humans, excess sugar can cause obesity in dogs too. Only the difference is that, it is even worse in them and can cause early death. Most harmful ingredient: Wheat, is one of the three most allergens for dogs, corn and soy are the other two. And it is found that Parle-G biscuits contain both sugar and wheat in excess.Strays never say...
Post a Comment
Read more