My puppy has Pyometra....

bouncydog1

We didn't have our springer speyed because of the problems with keeping weight off spaniels and she had problems with her joints, which would have been aggravated by any weight gain.

Unfortunately she got pyometra but we spotted that she just wasn't herself and rushed her to the vet where they speyed her straight away. Our insurers paid everything without question.

On the one hand I would advocate speying as soon as the animal is old enough, but it can be very difficult to keep the animals at a healthy weight afterwards, even with exercise and controlled diet. Friends with a lab have terrible problems keeping her weight down, and of course the extra weight brings problems of its own. Very difficult decision to make but on balance speying is the best option.

blue_monkey_2

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

This is a commonly held myth and there is absolutely no truth to it. A female puppy can and should be spayed around 6mths old, preferably before her first season.

If you can find a vet to do it C. When we got our first b itch none of them in this area would touch her until 3 months AFTER her first season.

I keep on hearing that it is a myth but if there are no vets to do it, then it cannot be done.

Fire_Fox

bouncyd!!! wrote: »

We didn't have our springer speyed because of the problems with keeping weight off spaniels and she had problems with her joints, which would have been aggravated by any weight gain. Unfortunately she got pyometra but we spotted that she just wasn't herself and rushed her to the vet where they speyed her straight away. Our insurers paid everything without question.

On the one hand I would advocate speying as soon as the animal is old enough, but it can be very difficult to keep the animals at a healthy weight afterwards, even with exercise and controlled diet. Friends with a lab have terrible problems keeping her weight down, and of course the extra weight brings problems of its own. Very difficult decision to make but on balance speying is the best option.

Sorry to hear your dog got pyometra but glad to hear she made a full recovery.

Unless there is a hormone imbalance such as thyroid dysfunction, weight gain is a simple equation of calories in versus calories out. A lot of people do not consider that a small amount of weight gain each month leads to a large amount of weight gain over the course over a few years. Research suggests some dogs are more susceptible to weight gain from high carbohydrate diets: look for grains/ cereals in the ingredients. The higher the animal's muscle mass the faster their metabolic rate, so it's important to have sufficient high quality (meat) protein in the diet and to do exercises that encourage muscle development such as jumping or running uphill. Many people with indoor cats successfully manage their cat's weight using a more natural - high protein/ low carb - diet be that commercial or raw.

~Chameleon~

blue_monkey wrote: »

If you can find a vet to do it C. When we got our first b itch none of them in this area would touch her until 3 months AFTER her first season.

I keep on hearing that it is a myth but if there are no vets to do it, then it cannot be done.

I find that rather odd. We've been spaying b1tches at 6mths+ for 30 years!! I know of very few, actually none these days, that would refuse.

gemini12

My vets will not spy until 3 months after first season for one.

~Chameleon~

gemini12 wrote: »

My vets will not spy until 3 months after first season for one.

Then change vet?

http://www.ahimsatx.org/easn/easnmm.htm

Plus, one of the most important factors is by spaying before their first heat, we almost rule out the risk of developing mammary cancer later in life.

blue_monkey_2

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Then change vet?

http://www.ahimsatx.org/easn/easnmm.htm

Plus, one of the most important factors is by spaying before their first heat, we almost rule out the risk of developing mammary cancer later in life.

That is unfair saying to change vets, if all the vets in the area you live say they will not do it, why on earth would you keep on looking? We asked at all the vets - here and surrounding - and they all said no. I only kept on calling because I read on here that it could be done early, the vets just will not do it before their 1st season. Sorry, but it is true. Even our dog trainer said not to get her done until after her 1st season. And yes, they do refuse to do it until 3 months after the season has ended. That is all vets, I could not find a single one that would consider it, and my friend lives in a different area, she had the exact same issue. Even the crap vets up the road will not do it until 3 months after.

It does not matter now anyway, she has been done.

~Chameleon~

blue_monkey wrote: »

That is unfair saying to change vets, if all the vets in the area you live say they will not do it, why on earth would you keep on looking? We asked at all the vets - here and surrounding - and they all said no. I only kept on calling because I read on here that it could be done early, the vets just will not do it before their 1st season. Sorry, but it is true. Even our dog trainer said not to get her done until after her 1st season. And yes, they do refuse to do it until 3 months after the season has ended. That is all vets, I could not find a single one that would consider it, and my friend lives in a different area, she had the exact same issue. Even the crap vets up the road will not do it until 3 months after.

It does not matter now anyway, she has been done.

My suggestion to change vet was to previous poster if it was causing her a problem with her vet not spaying prior to first season. Yes it's true that if you allow them to have a season you do need to wait 3mths to allow everything to settle down again to reduce risk of bleeding etc but I still find it hard to comprehend that you cannot find a single vet that will spay before first season. It's something that is actively encouraged amongst the vets & practices I've worked in. As I said previously, doing this almost eradicates any risk of developing mammary tumours and cancer later in life.

Fire_Fox

blue_monkey wrote: »

That is unfair saying to change vets, if all the vets in the area you live say they will not do it, why on earth would you keep on looking? We asked at all the vets - here and surrounding - and they all said no. I only kept on calling because I read on here that it could be done early, the vets just will not do it before their 1st season. Sorry, but it is true. Even our dog trainer said not to get her done until after her 1st season. And yes, they do refuse to do it until 3 months after the season has ended. That is all vets, I could not find a single one that would consider it, and my friend lives in a different area, she had the exact same issue. Even the crap vets up the road will not do it until 3 months after.

It does not matter now anyway, she has been done.

It matters because others will read this thread, both regulars and lurkers, any number of whom might read the article and start ringing all the local vets. You know you have done your best but come up blank, so no need to take Chameleon's comments personally. A dog trainer is not a veterinarian, you don't ask a marriage guidance counsellor for advice on your diabetes medication!

esmf73

Sorry to hear about your dog. Just had to comment - when we lived in Hampshire we used Pets at Home vets in Salisbury and they spayed my b!t*h at about 7 months old. She was a Rhodesian Ridgeback and hadn't had a season by that time. I say was, as although she's just 2 now, because of my eldest sons autism we've had to rehome her - luckily with our neighbours who are excellent dog people - just kills me seeing her!! But she's happy as larry xx Things we do for our dogs!!