Poppy the Scottie’s Story – The benefits of neutering female dogs
Poppy is an eight and a half year old Scottish terrier bitch. She had a number of litters when she was younger. In December she came in for a routine spay – ovariohysterectomy. This is an operation where the uterus and ovaries are removed under a full anaesthetic.
During Poppy’s operation the surgeon found that she had multiple cysts on both her ovaries. Some of these were much larger than the actual ovary and closely attached to her kidneys. This complication made her operation longer and there was an increased risk of haemorrhage. Fortunately Poppy’s operation went smoothly and she made a good recovery from her anaesthetic.
Unless a bitch is to be used for breeding, we recommend that she is neutered (spayed). This operation can be done at about 6 months of age or 2 to 3 months after a season.
As well as preventing unwanted litters and the inconvenience of seasons, neutering has other health benefits. Bitches that have not been spayed have hormone fluctuations; some can become more temperamental when in season and epileptic bitches often have more fits when in season. At the end of her season all bitches undergo hormonal changes that mimic those of pregnancy. These symptoms can be very mild and go unnoticed by the owner. In other dogs the hormonal changes are marked and the bitch may make a nest, nurse toys, produce milk and become protective of her imaginary puppies. This is known as a false pregnancy and it can be a distressing time for both the bitch and owner.
Essentially, neutering decreases the risk of disease, straying and behavioural changes. Our vets will be more than happy to discuss any queries that you may have regarding the neutering procedure.
