Spaying

[pyermoli]

Hi,
I am not sure if this is the right place to post this. I have a female puppy, Jasmine. I have never had a female before, all of my dogs have always been male. Anyway, I am taking Jasmine in to be spayed in a few months and would like to know a few things. I had heard that you should let them get there first heat before doing so? is this true? also, are there more risks in fixing females as opposed to males? I am so worried, it seems like spaying a female is so much more invasive, and just would like to know what to expect. Any advice is appreciated. I should also mention that I have another older boxer, Oscar, should they be kept seperate after the surgery? I know they aren't supposed to jump or anything for a little bit. Anyway, thanks ahead of time for any advice.

 

[tasillo]

Nina was spayed at 12 weeks

My pup was spayed by the breeders vet at 12 weeks. Most people here say you should do it BEFORE the 1st cycle. I am very glad that my breeder does spay and neuter her pups before selling them...as i did not have to be there for Nina's healing. But from what i read and did have to still follow...for about 2 weeks you have to make sure they dont go crazy in running/jumping and all the fun stuff they love to do. I thought after 1 week she was ok and let her do her boxerv run...then the site got a bit red/ and i was forced to crate her for almost 2 days....just letting her out to pee/poo and a bit of play in the house.
It is the newest thing now to do dogs earlier/they just seem to bounce back a lot faster....mine did!!
Yes female's surg is a LOT more invasive....but she will do fine just make sure they dont use ACE...and be ready for those..puppy eyes that say...WHY??

 

[Maniago]

It is a more invasive surgery, but the risks of not spaying are much more. Trying to keep a boxer from jumping or playing is like trying to keep water in a sieve. Walk her out to potty on a leash, I did this until the stitches were out. Try to keep the playing on the light side, you can keep her entertained with frozen kongs.

Grace was spayed using laser, she seemed to recover much faster than the traditional way.

 

[pyermoli]

Maniago- Was the laser surgery a lot mor expensive?

 

[Toni'smom]

Toni was also spayed using laser. She was 6 months old but that is when her vet does them. Check with your vet as to when it is recommended. I have heard of them being spayed as early as 8 weeks. (I don't think I would go that early) From what I have heard and read BEFORE the first season is recommended. You will need to keep her spearated from the other dog for a week or so just to help her stay calmer. She'll never be calm, she is a boxer. Just follow your vets advice and as stated earlier, make sure your vet does not use ACE on her. Good luck.

 

[Maniago]

The laser surgery cost about $60 more. The incision area was less, requiring less stitches.

 

[BooBoo & Riley]

The surgery is more invasive than neutering, but vets do it so often that it is a very commom surgery, you really should not worry about it or think twice about getting it done. Just make sure they don't use ACE to sedate your pup.

Do it now before the first heat, not after the first heat.

I remember when my Courage got spayed at 5 months old, I brought her home in the SUV. As soon as I opened the door, she jumped out of the car like she usually did and did a little yelp... she didn't realize that the stitches would actually hurt! But even that didn't stop her from being mostly her normal self. They won't do anything that hurts themselves, so as you as you don't initiate play for a few days, they should be fine. I put a kids t-shirt on her and tied the loose end around her stitches so that she couldn't lick them.

 

[Erica&Riley]

Riley had the traditional spaying (no laser) at 5 1/2 months and she was a ball of energy when I picked her up from the vet 2 days later. I had to board her at the vet for 2 days after the surgery because I had to go out of town. It actually worked out great because by the time I picked her up she had already gone through the worst of her recovery. My vet instructed me to restrict Riley's activity for 2 weeks (no off-leash), but that leash walks and playing around the house were fine. After the first week, Riley was going so nuts with energy and I let her run around outside on her retractable leash (16 ft). She healed up just fine...I think you need to monitor your girl after the surgery. Make sure she doesn't lick the stitches and that they don't get irritated. The only "snag" we had was that Riley had dissolvable stitches and one of the stitches at the base of the incision actually took a few months to dissolve but the vet said that could happen.

She will be just fine...its such a common procedure! Good luck

 

[harleyboxer]

It is usually more expensive to have your dog spayed after their first heat cycle, or when they are in heat. It becomes a more complicated surgery afterwards. I don't know why, I work for a vet, but I've never really asked. Probably their uterus becomes larger.

 

[Maniago]

when they are in heat. It becomes a more complicated surgery afterwards

there is more time and attention needed during the surgery due to the increased blood supply to the uterus during a heat cycle. But, spaying a when in heat is far better than waiting and perhaps having other serious consequences, such as unwanted pregnancy, disease. After heat the extra charge is problem because anesthesia is based on weight.