The Importance of Spaying Your Dog Explained by Our Livonia Veterinarian

Spaying your female dog has obvious benefits such as preventing unwanted puppies. There are also many health benefits that you may not know. Female dogs over 8 years old commonly develop breast cancer. 50 % of these breast cancers are aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body causing illness and death. The other 50% are considered benign but can become large enough that they rupture and bleed. Spaying your female dog before her first heat cycle can reduce this risk to almost zero.

Other Possible Complications from Not Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

A pyometra is an infection of the lining of the uterus and is very common in unspayed female dog over 6 years of age. Toxins from the bacteria in the infected uterus absorb into the bloodstream and make the dog ill. They can exhibit vomiting, lethargy, fever, decreased appetite, increased urination, and increased water consumption. A pyometra can be fatal. The only treatment is to surgically remove the infected tissue. We must perform an emergency spay. The risks for surgical complications are increased and we must take extra precautions.

Our Veterinarian in Livonia Advocates Spay and Neuter for Pets of All Ages

We are often asked if it is worth having a senior dog spayed. Absolutely! A routine spay in an older dog is far safer and costs less than treating a dog with a pyometra. Advanced age is not necessarily a reason to not do surgery. The pets overall health is always considered before performing surgery. A physical examination and blood tests to evaluate liver and kidney function are done before surgery on a senior pet.  We also use the safest anesthetic agents available to us, electronic monitors to ensure adequate heart rate, temperature, and respiration, and intravenous fluids to help support the blood pressure.

Contact Our Livonia Veterinarian to Learn More about Spay and Neuter

If your pet is not spayed please consider having her spayed. This surgery will help her live a longer, happier life. It will also help you avoid unexpected problems and expenses down the road. If you have any questions about spaying or the complications of having an unspayed dog please contact us at 248-615-7670.