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My vet says spay my dog. Is anesthesia safe? What are the risks?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hi My dog’s breed is bichon frise, she is 7 Month old and she has not been spay yet , I'm so scared of anesthesia and her doctor told me if you don’t spay her , she may be ill in the future , What should I do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 27th, 2018

While any anesthesia carries a risk, spaying is generally a very safe procedure. The risks of anesthesia increase as a dog ages (I'm specifically referencing senior dogs like 10 years and older), but there are few risks for a young and healthy puppy. Your vet is right she could be ill in the future if you don't spay her. Not spaying her leaves her at risk of developing a pyometra in the future. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment, and spaying the dog is part of the treatment of a pyometra. That surgery is high risk due to the severity of the illness in the dog from the infection, and it costs thousands to perform. In addition, dogs who are spayed are at an increased risk of developing mammary tumors. Of these mammary tumors, 50% of them are malignant. For her health, it is best to spay her now. I would speak with your vet about getting it done. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 22nd, 2017
Hello. It is nice that Fiffy now has a home with someone so caring. Risks of spaying include risk of anaesthesia, risks of infection and wound break-down after surgery, as well as bleeding in surgery. Risks of not spaying Fiffy include increased risks of cancers, HIGH RISK of pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus that requires emergency surgery to correct), and pregnancy (which in an older dog can be life-threatening). I feel that unless there are medical conditions determined on physical exam prior to surgery that would suggest that she is unstable for anaesthesia, spaying her is less risky than waiting and possibly having an emergency surgery later on. Have a veterinarian perform a complete physical examination on Fiffy, and bloodwork prior to surgery to rule out any underlying disease, and if that is all normal I would recommend having Fiffy spayed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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