My dog's spay: Does heat cycle timing matter? How long is surgery?

Most dogs are in heat for an average of 2-3 weeks. Keep her away from any intact males during this time. The surgery itself will likely take 20-30 minutes (o complete. She isn't too small or too old. Your veterinarian may recommend pre-anesthetic blood work and a pre-anesthetic exam to confirm good health. Recovery will take about 2 weeks. Try to limit excessive running, jumping or rough play. These activities could place undue stress on the incision and prolong recovery. A crate can be used if necessary. She will probably have an e-collar (cone) on when she is discharged to prevent licking or chewing of the incision. You should get complete discharge instructions from your veterinarian when you pick up Precious.

A spay typically does not take longer than 20-30 minutes, but sometimes it can be shorter or longer depending on the dog. For example overweight dogs or dogs in heat can and do take longer. Removing the bump should not take long either, and it could be that whole procedure can be done in an hour to 90 minutes. I would ask your vet for a time estimate. As for the fine needle aspirate (FNA) of her bump, not all types of malignant tumors can be diagnosed with an FNA, so it doesn't mean that her bump is benign if nothing was seen with that test. There are many different types of malignant tumors besides mast cell tumors. While you can see if a bump is a mast cell tumor with an FNA, sometimes it's not always possible so an excision biopsy is needed to get the exact diagnosis. There is a chance the bump could be benign, and your vet is doing the right thing by removed the bump to get a diagnosis on it. I certainly understand being worried about Precious, and I hope that everything does ok with her. Best of luck!

Many veterinarians prefer to wait to spay until after they are out of heat. It can be done while they are in heat, but there is an increased risk of bleeding, and they may charge an additional fee as it takes longer. On average estrus lasts for 9 days, but can last up to 24 days. I recommend rescheduling your spay until after vaginal discharge stops and her vulva is no longer swollen. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Incision lengths vary from surgeon to surgeon. Since incisions heal from side to side and not from end to end, it takes a short incision the same time to heal as a long incision. Your vet will give you written instructions on how to treat your dog after surgery. Here is a sample: http://files.dvm360.com/alfresco_images/DVM360//2014/09/26/ca50e33b-4a98-4584-bf15-dbf0f2a912c7/handout_afterspay_neuter.pdf Healing times will vary but the incision should be healed after 10 to 14 days. All will be well.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Doodles. I prefer to wait 2-3 months after a heat cycle to spay a patient. The surgery is technically less difficult as the vessels are not as engorged with blood after the heat cycle. It is possible to have it done during a cycle, but I feel it is riskier. I hope this information helps!

It would be better to wait until after the heat as during the pre-estrus and heat the uterus is very well vascularized and the extra amount of female hormones increase bleeding. So in order too minimize the surgical risk it is better to have her spayed during anestrus, ie when not cycling.

Hello, female puppies can be spayed when they are 12 weeks old. I always suggest spaying before her first heat cycle unless she has viginitis issues. In dogs, spaying before the first heat cycle reduce chances of mammary cancer by over 99% . If spayed after first or second eat cycle, there are still some great benefits. You should call a few veterinary office close to you for an estimate. Prices often vary depending on sIze and can vary very much between veterinary offices. I work for a non profit organization in north Florida, we charge about a $100. This does not includ pre anesthetic bloodwork and may not reflect prices in private practices around the country.I hope this helps,