What to expect after spaying a yorkie

Spaying your female pet is a great way to prevent unwanted litters of kittens or puppies. It can also help deter unwanted behaviors and protect your pet from some serious forms of cancer. Here, our Tracy vets explain more about the spaying process.

What Is Spaying?

An ovariohysterectomy, more commonly known as a spay procedure, is a surgical procedure to remove the female reproductive organs (the two ovaries, the uterine horns, and the body of the uterus.)

Benefits Of Spaying

By having your pet spayed, you are eliminating the risk of unwanted litters of kittens or puppies. Spaying is especially important in the case of outdoor female cats, as they can begin getting pregnant early and have the highest pregnancy risk.

Spaying also helps decrease the chance that your pet will suffer from a disease affecting the female reproductive system. The spay procedure removes the possibility of a severe infection of the uterus (pyometra), and there is some evidence that pets who are spayed at a young age have a lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

The Spay Procedure 

Before the surgery begins, your vet will run the appropriate diagnostic tests to ensure your pet is healthy enough to safely go under for the operation.  Spay procedures are carried out under general anesthesia.

Following the anesthesia, your pet will have the hair on their abdomen shaved down and the skin thoroughly disinfected. The organs are then removed, either laparoscopically (with surgical lasers) or with a traditional scalpel. Both methods are safe.

After the procedure is complete your pet's skin will be closed with skin glue, sutures (stitches), or surgical staples. Stitches or staples will need to be removed by your veterinarian 10 to 14 days following the procedure.

How Long Does Spaying Take?

The procedure typically can last from 20 to 90 minutes to perform, depending on your pet's size and any special medical considerations. In older pets or large-breed dogs, the procedure can take longer and may require two surgeons to perform.

Although the actual procedure is relatively quick, you can typically expect your pet to spend a few hours at the hospital, allowing time for check-in, an initial physical assessment, the surgery itself, and time for recovery from anesthesia.

Recovery After Spaying Surgery

Most pets will start to feel better in 24 - 48 hours, but full recovery takes between 10 to 14 days. During this period you should aim to keep your pet calm and refrain from allowing them to jump, as this could cause the incision to reopen. The incision should be checked daily for signs of infection. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, or a foul odor, contact your veterinarian.

You should also monitor your pet's behavior. If after 48 hours they still seem lethargic or are not eating or drinking it could be a sign of infection. Follow up with your veterinarian or bring them to an emergency veterinarian for care.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

What Exactly Does Spaying and Neutering Mean?

With a female Yorkie, spaying refers to when the dog’s uterus and the ovaries are surgically removed.

For the male Yorkie, neutering means that the testicles are surgically removed.

Why is This Done (Beyond the Obvious Reason) ?
It is a common mistaken belief that this is only done to stop dogs from mating. While this is one of the end results, there are also other important ways in which this will help your Yorkshire Terrier live a healthier and longer life.

When a female Yorkie is spayed, the benefits to the dog include:

Sorting out the Facts
Will neutering a dog will make him depressed, lose strength and decrease his activity level? No. Studies have shown that male dogs do not act out any mating behavior unless they are moved by their own hormones in reaction to a female dog who is in heat. When neutered, it does not trouble a dog that he cannot mate. When a male dog is neutered, his body can then use its energy for other things besides mating, including endurance and strength. A male dog will be just as good of a "watch dog" and behave normally in all regards of activity and strength to exercise.

Will a female dog will become overweight and/or lazy? No. When given the appropriate amount of

The only issue that may be a concern is weight gain and this only applies to males and the numbers involved here are negligible…Also, if a 1/2 to 1 pound gain would occur, this is not for the reasons that one may think. Male dogs who are intact sometimes run around more due to the urge to follow female scents…Therefore, if a male Yorkshire Terrier no longer has a desire to chase after a scent he may run around a bit less. A decrease in activity has nothing to do with metabolism changes.

What Age is this Done?
The younger a dog is when this is done, the better it is for their health. Studies do show that a female’s best chance of good health is to be spayed before her first heat. There is no benefit for a female dog to go through even 1 heat cycle. This is a bit tricky however...Studies do show that it is best to wait until the age of 6 months, however a puppy can enter her first heat as young as 4 months. Therefore, in these cases, you can your veterinarian can decide together at what age it should be done.

The odds of developing mammary cancer increase even if the dog goes through 1 heat and increases as each heat cycle is allowed to happen. To offer her the best chance, a female Yorkie should be spayed at the

The ten reasons for spaying and neutering are:

1. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
   Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
2. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.
   Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer.
3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
   While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house!
4. Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.
   An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
   Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
   Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds-not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
7. It is highly cost-effective.
   The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
8. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.
   Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, can cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
   Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for the children-especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.
10. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.
    Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

In Summary the Advantages for you and your pet

• Neutered/spayed pets are less aggressive, less likely to fight, and less likely to bite, as documented in studies.
• Neutered/spayed pets (especially males) are less territorial and less likely to roam. Research indicates that 80% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered males.
• Neutered pets are less likely to mark furniture and rugs with urine.
• Spayed females will not have heat cycles that soil rugs and furniture and usually shed less fur.
• Neutered pets can't develop testicular tumors, the second most common malignancy in males, and have a lower incidence of prostate cancer, which is better for your pet and means lower medical bills.
• Spayed females typically stay healthier and live longer. They have a lower incidence of mammary tumors and no uterine or ovarian cancers, which is better for your pet and means lower medical bills.
• Sterilization does not change the pet's personality or cause weight gain.
• Removing the urge to mate focuses more of a pet's attention on the caregiver, aiding in training. Sterilized pets behave better.

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