This article provides information about the risks associated with sterilizing a dog during pregnancy, precautions, features of the procedure, preparation for surgery and the rehabilitation period. We will fully address the question on the topic: “Is it possible to sterilize a pregnant dog?”
When getting a dog as a pet, you need to decide as soon as possible whether you want its offspring or not. When you are 100% determined that you do not want to have puppies, the dog needs to be sterilized to avoid serious problems in the future. Don't delay sterilization. It's not always possible to keep track of your four-legged friend. There are often cases when an animal runs away from the house through a door that opens literally for a second and an accidental mating occurs. What to do in this situation? Is it possible to sterilize a pregnant dog now, or is it better to wait and do it after birth? Does sterilization threaten the animal's health?
Sterilization during pregnancy
Most veterinarians, when asked “Is it possible to urgently sterilize a dog during pregnancy?” They will tell you that this is extremely undesirable. Some people do not want to raise puppies or find homes for them, and find it more appropriate to sterilize an already pregnant pet. But no matter how troublesome it may be to care for offspring, veterinarians still do not recommend sterilizing either cats or dogs during pregnancy. A competent veterinarian will decide to sterilize a pregnant dog at any stage only for medical reasons. It is much safer for the health of the animal to preserve and give birth to puppies than to undergo surgery. If the doctor doubts whether it is possible to sterilize your pregnant dog, even in the early stages, he will prescribe an additional examination. This is due not only to hormonal imbalances, but also to greater blood loss during surgery, since during pregnancy, even in the early stages, the dog’s uterus noticeably increases in size.
During pregnancy, the blood vessels supplying the uterus and ovaries are dilated and more filled with blood. The surface of the uterus becomes softer and more vulnerable to damage. Also, tissues that at first glance have no connection with the uterus and ovaries (for example, skin, muscles) are more intensively supplied with blood. This can cause ruptures and severe bleeding. In the later stages, sterilization will be even more dangerous for the health of the animal. The recovery period after such an operation will be longer than usual. The risks associated with anesthesia depend on factors such as the health of the dog, the number of puppies and the gestational age.
Therefore, in a situation where a dog does not become pregnant as planned, veterinarians advise waiting until delivery. You can start looking for options in advance for where to place the puppies. After your pet gives birth and feeds puppies, you can sterilize the animal so that such problems do not arise again.
Is it possible to sterilize an already pregnant dog at a fairly late stage?
Theoretically, sterilization is possible at any time, but the earlier sterilization occurs, the greater the likelihood that the operation will take place without complications and the safer it is for the health of the animal. Late sterilization is usually resorted to in cases where stray dogs are involved.
However, there are situations when it is possible and necessary to sterilize a pregnant dog. There are special medical indications for this. It happens that veterinarians say to operate on an animal because diagnostics show that it is not able to bear offspring without serious harm to its health, or dangerous complications may arise during childbirth. Before sterilization, you need to take a blood test to check whether the animal suffers from anemia or poor blood clotting. After this, you will need to undergo an examination by a cardiologist and an ECG.
Fortunately, such situations arise rarely, but they still occur. It also happens that already during the sterilization process the doctor finds out that the dog is pregnant.
At what age is it better to sterilize a dog?
Of course, the most appropriate option would be to sterilize your dog before her first heat. Different breeds mature at different rates, so it's important to consider your specific breed's characteristics. On average, puberty ranges from six months to one and a half years. In order to correctly choose the right moment for the operation, you need to ask the breeder at what age your pet’s mother noticed her first heat.
Even if you don't mind having offspring or don't worry about your dog accidentally getting pregnant because she's always under safe supervision, most veterinarians will still advise you to spay your dog at age eight. If this is not done, there is a risk of malignant tumors. Removing the ovaries helps prevent cancer.
When it comes to sterilizing a pregnant dog, it is highly not recommended to sterilize a dog older than eight years - the body simply may not be able to withstand the load. But if the animal has problems with hormonal levels, too long or false estrus has occurred, this is considered a medical indication for surgery. In such cases, the procedure is carried out regardless of age.
Contraindications for surgery
- Typically, sterilization is not carried out during the period of heat. In the case where the animal has hormonal disorders, as a result of which a prolonged estrus occurs, it is advisable to first treat with hormonal drugs and carry out the procedure when the estrus period ends.
- It is not recommended to sterilize dogs over 8-10 years of age. The exception is sterilization for medical reasons.
- Problems with the kidneys and cardiovascular system - there is a serious risk of complications.
- Traumatic brain injuries received less than 3 months before sterilization.
These contraindications are general; in practice, each case must be considered individually. The experience of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, equipment used for sterilization and preoperative preparation play a big role in the success of the operation.
Sterilization methods
Sterilization of a female dog is an abdominal operation performed under general anesthesia. There are the following ways to carry it out:
- Dissection along the white stripe of the abdomen.
- Side cut.
- Chemical methods.
Dissection along the white stripe of the abdomen
The classic method, which is possible in the clinic and at home. If sterilization is carried out before the first heat, the ovaries are removed. Removing the uterus at this age is dangerous due to the risk of the ailments mentioned above. If a female dog who has given birth is spayed, veterinarians recommend cutting off both the ovarium and the urethra, that is, performing an ovariohysterectomy. The absence of ovaries does not protect the dog from pyometra, metritis and other ailments, so emergency re-sterilization is not excluded.
Side cut
The method was developed for sterilizing stray dogs. Bitches who have recovered from anesthesia are released outside. The method is low-traumatic, but does not make it possible to assess the condition of other organs, so surgeons prefer an incision along the white stripe.
This advanced method requires complex, expensive equipment and trained personnel, which not all veterinary hospitals have. Laparoscopy is considered the most expensive method of castration of dogs.
Chemical methods
Sterilization of a female without surgery is possible through regular injections of a hormonal drug or by introducing a Suprelorin implant under the skin. These methods lead to temporary loss of sexual function. To maintain the infertility of the bitch, constant injections are necessary. The use of hormonal drugs is fraught with numerous complications, so most Russian veterinarians do not recommend their use.
Preparing for surgery
In order for sterilization to be successful, you need to make sure that the dog does not have serious health problems. A standard veterinary examination is often sufficient. Sometimes an experienced and very responsible veterinarian prescribes blood and urine tests before the procedure, and also performs an ultrasound if he has doubts about the health of the animal. If any diseases are detected that may affect the course of the operation and the recovery period, it is necessary to carry out preoperative therapy aimed at improving health.
During the postoperative period, the animal’s immunity will be weakened, so approximately one month before the operation, all vaccinations must be done, and an anthelmintic should be given two weeks before. If the animal is constipated, it is recommended to give it a laxative before surgery. To ensure that the intestines are empty during sterilization, it is recommended not to feed your pet heavy food for three days before the operation. The last meal should be 12 hours before surgery. If the veterinarian notices any problems during the preoperative examination, he may prescribe antibiotics to be on the safe side.
Preparation
Dogs are sterilized during anestrus to prevent large-scale hemorrhage. Experts recommend conducting an examination to determine the appropriate method of anesthesia. It includes:
- Anamnesis. The dog owner informs the veterinary surgeon about past diseases, allergic reactions, timing of deworming, and vaccination.
- Laboratory blood tests.
- Instrumental studies - ultrasound. Particular attention is paid to the condition of the dog's heart.
- Expulsion of fleas.
- Starvation diet. Anesthesia causes vomiting, so to keep the dog's stomach empty, it is not fed. Some surgeons recommend emptying the intestines as well. To do this, the dog is given Vaseline oil a day before surgery. It is not absorbed and does not overload the liver, unlike plant-based ones. Dogs are not given water 4 hours before sterilization.
- Before anesthesia, premedication is given - drugs are administered to support breathing and myocardial function.
- For anesthesia, intramuscular injection of Xylazine and intravenous Propofol are used. For mask or endotracheal inhalation anesthesia, mixtures of gases are used.
For each type of anesthesia, there are indications and limitations that are taken into account by the veterinary anesthesiologist.
Performing the operation and post-operative care
Sterilization is a relatively complex abdominal operation. It is always performed using general anesthesia. On average, the operation itself lasts one hour, but a certain amount of time will also be needed to prepare the dog for anesthesia, the introduction of anesthesia and recovery from it. The animal recovers from anesthesia strictly under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. During sterilization, the surgeon removes the uterus and ovaries. The abdominal incision is immediately sutured and a special postoperative dressing is put on. It must be worn throughout the entire rehabilitation period, as it helps protect the body from dangerous bacteria and also prevents damage to the suture.
It is worth remembering that rehabilitation in the case of sterilization of a pregnant dog will last longer than usual. Usually the sutures are removed after two weeks, but if the operated dog was pregnant, there is no need to rush - immunity is lowered and the tissues may need more time to heal. Even if the surgeon performing the operation is an expert in his field and the procedure is successful, complications such as allergies to anesthetics and suture threads, frequent involuntary urination and acute manifestations of pre-existing diseases may arise during the rehabilitation period.
Will my dog change after sterilization?
This question is often asked by dog owners concerned about the “horror stories” of neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances who are hesitant in their decision to sterilize their dog.
The dog will become fat, stupid, lazy... the list is quite long. But still these are nothing more than myths.
What is more important – a long, healthy and happy life for your pet or someone’s idea that your dog will only be interested in a bowl and a mattress from now on? Or speculation that your pet will suffer from the fact that she never became a mother?
Dogs are endowed with a lot of positive qualities, sometimes people even have something to learn from them. But you shouldn’t humanize and attribute all human emotions and experiences to a dog. The dog will not worry about this, but both it and you will definitely have fewer problems.
Content:
A dog's sexual instincts ruin the life of the dog, its owners, and those around it. It's not clear what to do with the puppies. An even more difficult situation is caused by estrus in the female living in the apartment. If the dog owner does not plan to use it for breeding, then sterilization should be considered. This publication introduces owners of bitches to the preparation and conduct of an operation to eliminate the female’s sexual instincts.
What else you need to know about sterilization
Even if we are not talking about sterilizing a pregnant dog, it is important to make sure that the animal has no contraindications to the operation. This is one of the main conditions for sterilization. Veterinarians do not recommend sterilizing animals that are not yet at least five months old. Early sterilization is fraught with serious complications and can even lead to chronic diseases. For a young animal, it can be difficult to calculate the correct dose of anesthesia.
If the body is still in the process of growth and development, an incompletely removed ovary can sometimes recover, which means that the procedure will have to be performed again and once again subject the animal’s body to severe stress. Very old dogs are also not recommended to undergo sterilization if possible - the animal will need much more time to recover, and some may not survive the operation at all.
Sterilization of dogs: pros and cons
Behind:
- A timely procedure can increase the pet’s life expectancy and improve its quality.
- The risk of hormonal stress during estrus is reduced, and the risk of serious diseases of the reproductive organs disappears.
- The owner does not have to think about what will happen if the dog brings puppies into the house.
- All the troubles that await you during heat are eliminated: the bitch breaks the leash, she is chased by yard dogs while walking, you don’t have to clean the whole house in places where the animal has “inherited”, etc.
- Neighbors will no longer listen to the calling howl.
Significant health assistance
The first points are especially important. During pregnancy, natural processes occur in the dog’s body (swelling of the mammary glands, hormonal changes), which can subsequently lead to the formation of tumors. In addition, most older bitches suffer from manifestations of diseases of the genitourinary system, the development of which can be prevented by timely surgery.
Against:
- The risk of complications is possible only if the procedure is performed by incompetent doctors. That is why one should give one and the most important advice to all dog lovers - take your pets to trusted clinics with experienced veterinary surgeons, and then follow all the instructions related to caring for the animal.
- The possible occurrence of osteosarcoma (in case of surgery, if the pet is not yet a year old), urinary incontinence (occurs in representatives of large breeds) - such cases are rare, and the risk of developing oncology is much higher, so there is no choice.
