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Is spaying my older Golden with false pregnancy best for her health?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | spayed | 8 years and 1 month old | 64 lbs

My 8yo Golden had a falsepregnancy w milk. Cabergoline has resolved it now. I hear conflicting opinions about spaying. She has never mated. Some say not spaying would cause pseudopregnancy recurrence+dangerous conditions like Mammary T. But UCDavis studies say spaying increases other aggressive cancer risks among GoldenRs. Also, vet thinks that her anemia that keeps coming back after prednisolone trtmnts *might* be due to Ovary cysts, suggests spaying. What's the right approach for her health?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 9th, 2024

Thank you for contacting PetCoach with your question about Lav. I've heard many owners quote the UC Davis study, and there are a number of things wrong with the study. Check out this article on it:
https://humanepro.org/magazine/articles/deconstructing-spayneuter-debate

Not spaying her can cause a pseudopregnancy reoccurrence, but it doesn't increase her risk of mammary tumors. That's already going to be 25% because she's had more than two heats. Keep in mind, 50% of mammary tumors in dogs are malignant. She is eight years old, so she is already at a higher risk of developing cancer simply because she is an older dog. She is also at risk of a pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. The treatment for a pyometra is spaying the dog, which is an emergency during a pyometra and can cost many thousands of dollars.

In all honesty, it's best to spay her. It will keep her from developing a pyometra as well as a pseudopregnancy, and it will keep her from getting pregnant if she accidentally mates. Dogs over the age of six should never have puppies. In my opinion, it's best for her to health to get spayed asap. I hope this helps!
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Amber W

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on September 2nd, 2017

    Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The more heat cycles a dog goes through the more likely they are to develop mammary (breast cancer). At Fifi's age there may be less of a reduction in risk by spaying her now but it is still probably worth spaying her. By spaying Fido you will also eliminate the risk that she develops a life threatening uterine infection called a pyometra. That in itself is enough to warrant spaying at this time. Best regards to you and Fifi!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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What are the risks of spaying my dog? Is it the right decision?
Hello. I can understand your anxiety, & there are some studies to suggest that some breeds are better off being neutered after a year or so of age, but for the most part, there is no danger & there is no greater likelihood of advanced disease in these animals. I always remind people that many women need to have hysterectomies for various medical reasons, & while the vast majority of these surgeries happen after puberty, there is no known significant increase in cancer, Alzheimer's, endocrine disease, etc. in these women. You will be hard-pressed to find any veterinarian who has been in practice longer than 20 years who will say there has been an uptick in medical problems in neutered animals. Pets are living longer & healthier lives because of this, & while we are still not making a huge dent in the pet overpopulation program & the number of puppies & kittens euthanized each year, we are trying. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
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My dog is lactating from false pregnancy. Why is spaying risky?
Unfortunately you can not stop the lactating. It will have to stop when the hormone level drops. When dogs are in a false pregnancy the spay has a higher risk of complications. The largest complication is extra bleeding. The blood vessels to the uterus and skin are very large when a dog is in heat or false pregnancy. The blood vessels get smaller after they cycle. Also the tissue is more friable and likely to tear. I find patients are more painful after surgery too. Hope that helps. If you have more questions you could always set up a pet coach consult
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My dog has recurring false pregnancy. What home remedies help?
Hello. This does sound like Molly is going through a false pregnancy, & ideally, you should consider having her spayed. She very likely has cystic ovaries that keep her cycling too often. Dogs normally cycle every 6 months. This does not mean she has any particular reproductive disease, but there is a slightly higher incidence of female dogs developing mammary cancer who have had multiple false pregnancies. Doing nothing is best as any stimulation of the tissues delays resolution. There was a study that decreasing food hastened resolution. The program recommendations are to feed Molly 50% of her food for 2 days, 40% of her food for 3 days, then 30% of her foood for 2 days, then go back to her regular amounts. When you are financially comfortable please consider having her spayed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
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What are the benefits and risks of spaying my female Golden Retriever?
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Is spaying a healthy 7-year-old dog still recommended and safe?
Thanks for using PetCoach. I do recommend spaying even for adult or older dogs. The primary reason is the risk of pyometra, a fatal uterine infection. Every time she goes into heat she is at risk. Here is more info, so you know what to watch for if you opt not to spay her https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951481 As she is a littler older, there are things you can do to make surgery a bit safer. Even if not required by her veterinarian, a full exam and bloodwork should be performed prior to surgery. This helps to assess if there are any diseases that may affect her under anesthesia or her ability to heal. She should receive IV fluids during her surgery. Here is more info on spay https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951464 Even at this point in her life, Cookie can benefit from spay surgery.
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Puppy's nipples enlarged after heat, biting them. Is it false pregnancy?
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Why are my spayed dog's mammary glands growing and lactating?
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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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