Spaying my 5 yr old baby....HELP !!!

[ocd4yorkies]

Please understand first that i DO know the benefits of spaying and i know all the health risks of not spaying. My yorkie is 5 years old, 6lbs and is very healthy . She is my right arm and goes EVERYWHERE with me even to work. I am an extremely responsible pet owner and have been since i was a kid. (every pet i have ever had has been fixed) But for some reason I am so worried about the anesthesia ( we plan on using Profol ) and worrying about the breathing tube. My male yorkie was neutered and did just fine but he was also a year old at the time. I worry that maybe she is to old.... I plan on having all the pre surgery test run.... but for some reason i cant shake the fact that something bad "could" happen, i am so scared to do this. But now she is getting older if i am going to do it now is the time. I know tons and TONS of these surgeries are done daily. I have talked to my Vet and trust her i am just scared that i will make the wrong choice and something bad will happen to her. Can anyone please put my mind ease. Have any of you had your baby fixed in this age bracket ? Thank you all in advance for your help.

[Ellie May]

My girl was spayed at age six and she is liver compromised (at least slightly). I know it is scary and I'm going to to downplay that. It can be risky to do it, but it can be risky not to do it. With the right testing before and the right anesthesia though, it will very likely be just fine. Just remember, old age is not a disease.

Besides the preop bloodwork, you could add a bile acids test, chest xray, EKG, and U/A on. That's a really good way to go if the $$$ is available.

Also, do you mean you are using propofol is the induction drug or to maintain? What is the plan to maintain? Iso?

BTW, Ellie did fantasic (had liver biopsy at same time which increased the risk). She came home that night and was well on her way to recovery within a day or two. No regrets about it.

[ocd4yorkies]

Yes ISO will be used too ( should have said that ). Thank you for your suggestions on the other tests and i will most likely do those as well. And it is reassuring to hear your Ellie is doing well and did well during the surgery. Thank you.

[lovmyyorkie]

I had my Buffy fix at 5 yrs old, during her exam they found she had a heart murmur and had to have more test then expected. The vet said she was healthy enough to have her surgery and baby teeth pulled. She did really good during surgery but they did keep her one night for observation, next morning she came home to finish recovering. TG all went well and she will be 13 in June

[TwoforFun]

My oldest is 9months and I still havent spayed her for the same reasons, so you are not alone. I am and will spay her I just want her to be one year old just to comfort myself. She is 6lbs, my small one is the one who's going to give me a heartattack she is 7 months and weights 2lbs so I don't know how I'm gonna handle her going under. I wish I could be there to hold your hand.

[ocd4yorkies]

It is wonderful to hear Buffy did well and is going to be 13, that is great !!! It is helping me to hear there are other Yorkies who have been spayed a little older the "required". I know Pepper will do good. She is so healthy and it is hard for me to keep up with her sometimes, LOL . We go this Thursday to have a check up, talk to my vet and have her blood drawn. ~nervous~

@TwoforFun - Thank you, i know i will need a hand holding when the day comes (prob. this month) . I will hold yours too, LOL !! I too have a younger female (Chloe) she is smaller as well..... yeah i will freak out with her too. I actually delivered her and she has been with me since birth so she is VERY sheltered i am all she has ever known and has never been alone. I have created a monster. LOL

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

My girl was spayed at age six and she is liver compromised (at least slightly). I know it is scary and I'm going to to downplay that. It can be risky to do it, but it can be risky not to do it. With the right testing before and the right anesthesia though, it will very likely be just fine. Just remember, old age is not a disease.

Besides the preop bloodwork, you could add a bile acids test, chest xray, EKG, and U/A on. That's a really good way to go if the $$$ is available.

Also, do you mean you are using propofol is the induction drug or to maintain? What is the plan to maintain? Iso?

BTW, Ellie did fantasic (had liver biopsy at same time which increased the risk). She came home that night and was well on her way to recovery within a day or two. No regrets about it.

I agree with Crystal. Get an extensive pre op screening and if all is well, go ahead and do it.

If you spay her now, you will prevent her from ever getting pyometra, a life threatening uterine infection. If you are worried now, imagine how frightened you'd be if she were older and had to be spayed to save her life? We've seen cases like that here on YT.

I assume she's never had a dental before? I'd get that done while she is out to avoid a second anesthesia later on.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I don't have experience with this but wanted to wish you and your little one well. Maggie May is going to be 2 and she has already been spayed.

Will keep your little in on my thoughts and prayer that all goes well. Please let us know how she does. Hugs.

[ocd4yorkies]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I agree with Crystal. Get an extensive pre op screening and if all is well, go ahead and do it.

If you spay her now, you will prevent her from ever getting pyometra, a life threatening uterine infection. If you are worried now, imagine how frightened you'd be if she were older and had to be spayed to save her life? We've seen cases like that here on YT.

I assume she's never had a dental before? I'd get that done while she is out to avoid a second anesthesia later on.

Exactly, that is one reason why i am going to get her spayed. And mammary caner is another one that scares me too. I have heard if any dog gets pyometra it is a 50/50 chance while spaying little or no risks at all. (still scary though)

Wow discussing all this has been really comforting, just hope it sticks lol. I just joined yesterday on Yorkie Talk and i am hooked. I love this page.
Thank you

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by ocd4yorkies

Exactly, that is one reason why i am going to get her spayed. And mammary caner is another one that scares me too. I have heard if any dog gets pyometra it is a 50/50 chance while spaying little or no risks at all. (still scary though)

Wow discussing all this has been really comforting, just hope it sticks lol. I just joined yesterday on Yorkie Talk and i am hooked. I love this page.
Thank you

Unfortunately, you missed the window of opportunity to prevent mammary cancer. You have to spay before the first heat cycle to completely eliminate the risk. After the first heat cycle, the risk rises to 7%, then jumps to 25% if you wait until after the second heat cycle to spay. Spaying after that doesn't having any effect on mammary cancer, unfortunately.