Abby, my nearly year old Cairn, is due to be spayed tomorrow. I have spayed three bitches before and never, ever felt so stressed myself over it. I cannot stand the thought of her going through major surgery. I am worried something will go wrong. I am worried she will have problems with incontinence afterwards.

I have also owned intact bitches, so I know what life with a bitch in season is like and did not find it an inconvenience.

However ... I have a partner that I do not completely trust to keep Abby out of male dog's way when she is in season. When Abby was in season (3 months ago) he refused to accept she was in season. When the wandering dog down the street, who is normally skittish and people shy, refused to leave my garden and would continually walk up to me, crying plaintively .. husband refused to acknowledge he was interested in Abby. I literally had to pick Abby up during one walk to stop this dog from trying to mount Abby and go home.

My husband adores dogs and Abby. However, he knows absolutely nothing about bitches. Even though he says he would keep our gates shut when Abby is in season I know for sure he will not be as vigilent as he would need to be - he is a bit too casual even at the best of times. He has only had male dogs, never had them neutered, and let them wander the neighborhood. (He's husband no.2 for me :-) )

So, now I am completely stressed out because he is furious that Abby will be spayed. Lots of door slamming this evening. Me asking him how many puppies were put to sleep because his dog had sired unwanted litters, etc. I know he will make me feel miserable tomorrow after I pick Abby up following her surgery.

I just hope everything goes okay with Abby and there will be no negative effects from spaying. Right now I feel like a really horrible person.

Stacey

Hi Stacey,
We all go through agonies of worry when our dogs have surgery, so you're not alone in that! I'm sure Abby will be fine, and because of your particular circumstances I'm sure you are making a sensible decision.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you tomorrow - and don't worry, your husband will get over it!
:)

Vets use very good anaesthetics these days which are much safer than they used to be and which don't have to be processed by the liver etc.

My dog was spayed (after much dilemma and worry) and i was really upset over leaving her at the surgery. I drove home, made muself a drink to sit and give myself a stiff talking to, but after a short while, and much pacing and worry, I phoned the vet to tell them Not to spay her, i had changed my mind

I was shocked to hear that she had already been done and was recovering very nicely in the kennel :)

So we all do go through it! It is hard but is over sooner than you can imagine. My breed has a history of anaesthetic problems from years ago, but as i said the modern ones are so much safer and she came through very well indeed with no character change.

I feel you are being very responsible, your hubby must take the consequences if he is a bit easy going where his doggie responsibilies are concerned ;)

Lindsay

Thanks so much for your response. It was there seconds after I posted my message and it really helped me to calm down.

Stacey

Hi Stacey,
I don't have any experience of bitches, but even I understand that you would need to be on your guard 110% of the time - if you feel that strongly, that a mistake may happen, I think you are doing the only wise thing.
As for worrying about her having her op, that's perfectly normal and I'm sure when she comes home, she'll get lots of TLC from you and your hubby - In the long run he'll realise that you did the safest thing for your bitch and your conscience
Sharon
X

Don't worry too much. I've had all three of my bitches spayed, including my Belgian, which is very sensitive to anaesthetic. They all came through it fine.

Hi Stacy
you know you are doing the sensible thing for your girl, so don't let your hubby make you feel bad or guilty about.
I was in tears years ago when I spayed my beloved Tess (who was PTS only weeks ago). I'm sure we feel it worse than they do...the agony and worry we go through.
She will be fine, I'm sure. And think of how good you are doing for her.
Try not to worry too much, and let us know when you get her home all well :)

How are you, Stacey? Good for you for standing up to your man and making the right choice for your circumstances. Hope you can keep busy this morning.:)

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for responding to my post so quickly last evening and this morning. I felt less alone.

The surgery went fine and we picked Abby up about 30 minutes ago. She is awake, but groggy and I am sure uncomfortable. Of course, as I type this she changed positions and given a little moan. Anyone who says spaying is not painful for dogs is wrong, even though I know they heal and rebound a lot faster than humans. Abby is alert enough to look at the window and try to lick her stiches, so on goes the buster collar.

Husband is still giving me the cold shoulder and I dare not mention anything about Abby. He did come to the vet with me to pick her up so she could ride home on my lap. I hope her recovery goes smoothly, I still feel miserable about making a decision that causes her pain.

Two side benefits. 1) I remembered to ask the vet to clip her nails while she was zonked. 2) The decision about which sex to choose when I am ready for a second dog is now resolved - male - or already spayed or neutered before they are mine.

Stacey

Don't worry Stacey she'll soon be back to normal, when we had Heidi "done" we felt terrible, she went bounding in to the vets like she was going to play, they held puppy socialization classes in there, then when we picked her up she looked so poorly, but with in hours she was perking up and getting back to her normal self.

The big problem was keeping her quiet for a week, the next day she was back to her usual self wanting to be bouncingaround the house and garden.

Robert

Hi Stacey, Glad to see that the op went well - I'm sure she'll be feeling back to her old self in no time :) So will your hubby :D
Sharon
X

Stacey, Should have said last night, but never thought about it. Get your bitch some Arnica tablets (homeopathic). Give her 2 every couple of hours, it helps with the healing. Anyone else spaying their bitches, give Arnica a couple of days BEFORE spaying, then when she comes home, a couple of tablets every couple of hours for the first day. It works wonders!!

So pleased everything went well for her Stacy..of course the op hurts, but you know it's worth it...and she WILL be back to her old self very soon.
As for your hubby, well, he will too, in time ;)
Take care
xx

Good to hear Abby is home safe.:)

HI Stacey.

Glad to hear she is fine..

Pam