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Getting spayed in heat

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • So I had a appt to get my B (6 months) spayed and she went into heat last Friday night. Called my vet and she said it was ok to spay her during heat (and she is a really good vet, not some joe schome) but I've heard otherwise, that you should wait after she is done with heat. What do you guys think?

  • Personally, I'd wait, but if you're not confident in your ability to prevent her from meeting up with intact male dogs, or if others normally babysit your puppy, you may want to go a head and have it done as scheduled.

  • Hi there. I had the same problem with my girl. I had her fixed with no problems.

  • I would say spay her between the first and second period of heat: in that way she will have an adult hormone balance instead of a juvenile balance.

  • There are actually some studies that say that spaying during a heat can cause issues. But also, bleeding is worse, so why do it? If you can wait, absolutely wait. I checked about 6 vet sites and every single one suggested waiting until AFTER the heat unless you thought the dog might be pregnant or other serious reasons. This pretty much sums it up… and makes me wonder about your vet

    Spaying a female dog while in heat does come with increased health risk. During heat, the dog's uterus enlarges with blood. Therefore, when the veterinarian does the surgery, the dog is more likely to hemorrhage. Most vets take precautions if they are spaying a dog that is in heat, but make sure to discuss this with your vet.
    Spaying while in heat is usually more expensive than spaying while not in heat. Therefore, you need to discuss with your veterinarian the increased costs. Some veterinarians will work with you to create a payment plan, but you still end up paying more in the end.
    Spaying while in heat also means that your dog will likely be under anesthesia longer. The longer a female dog is under anesthesia, the more likelihood there is that something can go very wrong. More dogs die when being spayed during heat than those who are not in heat.<<

    I also had to go look up old correspondences because I vaguely remembered this talk with a vet friend, Dr. Laura.

    Date: 4/1/00 12:16 AM Eastern Standard Time
    From: LDRS PETS LCdvm
    Message-id: 20000401001645.21145.00000285@ng-fn1.aol.com

    Since dogs' ovaries are inactive much of the year, they generally show less detriment from lack of estrogen than people, who have constantly cycling ovaries. The only research I have seen, and I haven't seen original papers, just what is quoted from Dr. Karen Overall, is that female dogs who are dominant aggressive before they go into heat may show some reduction, or at least less progression, by going through one or two
    heat cycles. The current theory is that these super-dominant females were androgenized by contact with the hormones of a male pup during gestation; on rare occasions when their placentas develop some communication. those with retained ovaries will have no protection from breast cancer, will continue to cycle and create an attractive nuisance with male dogs, and are at risk for a stump pyo on the bit of remaining uterus near the cervix. The only
    benefit in that case would be pregnancy prevention. And, every dog I spayed who was aggressive during the heat only went to their normally sweet diestrus selves.

    LDRS PETS LCdvm, (veterinarian)
    AOL Pets Community Leader
    Message Board Host<<

  • This is a late answer but for someone who might read this in the future we will post it anyway. The risk is much higher to the animal and it certainly raises the risk the animal bleeding out. There is also more swelling. We were going to have our Show Basenji spayed this year. She went into heat slightly early and our vet said that we should wait until after the heat was over before he felt comfortable doing the spay for the reasons mentioned.

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    My pup's first heat was when she was a little over 10 months old. She had been around many girls that were in heat a month and a half before she went in and I had hoped that she would be in and over her heat before she returned to me from her show road trip LOL - no such luck. :D:D.
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    @yag113: Exactly how I feel. Fortunately I love my vets, it's a husband and wife and they have come to know how I am and always work with me. I have 2 goats and the husband does farm calls. I feel very lucky. I always take the staff chocolates and snacks just in case I feel the need to get obnoxious about something…they will placate me! Thanks again for the input. I adore my dog and it's very cool to talk to people who love basenjis! Sounds like a great Vet practice!!! Let us know how the spay goes, I am sure she will do great!
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    I brought her to the vet on Monday and that's when she said to put a hot compress on the site. The incision looks normal and healing very well. No redness at all. The swelling is probably like the size of an almond. I noticed it because she's always had a very lean and flat tummy (don't we all wish we could be like that lol). I thought it was unhealthy too to have fluid accumulate under the skin, but the vet said it happens. I will keep an eye on it, and they said to call them on Friday with an update. Hopefully it will go away soon. In the mean time she really likes snuggling up with the heat pad.
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    She is still bleeding. I rescheduled for two weeks from Thursday. Her mom bled for almost a month and a half before letting the dad mount her. This sucks.
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    Spaying a maiden bitch is a much less complicated procedure than spaying bitch who has had puppies. Basenjis can come into heat as early as 6 months old though mine have always come in for the first time at 10 months. As for being interested in breeding please read the thread in the Breeder Talk titled "Interested In Breeding". There are many things to consider before breeding a dog.
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    Day 3 Sandie is acting as if nothing ever happend jumping around wanting to play, eating all the same things… wish i could get her to lay still more...tonight shes like over active... I think its the cooler weather we are having, it seems to make her go into hyper active...