To spay at 8months???

[vadersmom]

Hi all,
OK. I know the benefit of waiting till after the first heat. We had planned on that all along. My hubby, in the last month, has had a below knee amputation, and I am working fulltime. The issue is....he can let her out in our fenced in backyard for potty but he really can't get out there well to watch her closely. Now is not the issue-it is when she goes in heat and we REALLY have to watch her. If a dog climbed the fence, he could not do much as he is still in a wheelchair for the next 2 months or so.
I don't think she is showing signs this early but I have been alert and know it could happen.
The easy solution would be to spay her now but it would null the health guarentee for the next 2 years.

Any solutions???I want her healthy. There are other things to consider here as well-hubby can't walk her yet and it may be a while.

All opinions welcome. Oh, we did not plan on this of course. Having a puppy with the spouse's health hitting the skids is not a fun time. He has spent 8 weeks in the hospital since March.

If we wait, like we planned, what suggestions do you have to keep her safe as he cannot directly supervise her in the yard from a WC?
Thanks all!

 

[musicdeb]

Sounds like you may have not choice. Go with your gut and do what is best for you and your dog. Health issues can include chronic UTI's and the lose of hormones for growth.

Tough decision...

 

[Sadies Mom]

That is a tough decision. Like Deb said, go with your gut. If you do decide to wait, and she goes into heat, is it possible for your husband to hook a long lead (50-100 ft) on her and control her with that from the wheelchair? If you have lots of trees in your back yard, that would probably not be a great idea since he would not be able to untangle her if she decides to "dance" with the trees. If you do decide to spay her early, keep in mind the issues that can arise (I am speaking from experience). Sadie was spayed early and she is suffering from spay induced incontinence, and a leaky mastiff leaves huge puddles. She is on meds for it and it is working just fine, but had I known then what I know now....well you get the point. Good luck with your decision, I am sure others will chime in as well. Keep us posted.

 

[vadersmom]

I just called my vet, and of course, they recommend 6 months. Very typical. I love my vet but I think we will have to agree to disagree. Our yard is heavily wooded so a long lead would not be great. I have one and we sure can try it. This is tough....hubby says to do it but I sure hesitate and have second thoughts.

 

[musicdeb]

When you make the decision, be confident that you made the right decision.

 

[danielleconn]

The only other idea I had, which it may not be feasible, is to have someone care for her while she is in heat...maybe a family member or friend. Possibly a kennel would take her? Just ideas I had floating around...maybe not financially capable or you don't have others to rely on. I hope things work out for you...sorry for your tough times! Puppy rearing is hard enough...let alone adding on medical changes.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Well, it wouldn't be the easiest financially, but can you find a vet who'd do a tube tying or one of the other "ovary sparing spays" on her? That would allow you to ensure that she keeps her hormones for growth, and also ensure that you didn't have to worry about pups. Mind, she'd still go into heat this way, with all the OTHER associated problems there-of, but at least the risk of pups would be gone if thats your biggest worry. Then once she's mature (1.5-2yrs of age) you can have a true spay done.

Along that same thought, if you leave her intact, or do some kind of Ovary Sparing Spay, many people put a diaper or panties on their bitches when they're in heat, those need to be removed before the dog goes out for potty, would your husband be able to do that or would you cope with the blood differently?

You may not have a choice unfortunetly, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do

 

[vadersmom]

Thanks all! I called our vet school about the ovary sparing procedure and they sure do not do that and didn't know who did. Seems like most of the common thoughts are to spay early.
As far as boarding, I have one kennel that hasn't shut the doors yet(most do at 6 months for females around here). The owner has a DDB so at least she knows that this bred comes "in" a bit later. I can ask is she can do a partial board that month and the days I am off she would just be home with me. Calling them now......

 

[ruthcatrin]

Crossing fingers for you!

 

[Ehl]

Maybe instead of full boarding you can work out a doggy daycare arrangement for her so you drop her off on your way to work and pick her up after. (Unless its just to far away)

 

[vadersmom]

I just thought of something. I could get the petsitter to come again 1-2 times a day and she can be out in the yard with her and maybe hubby can just be out there once with her. I will also call the vet and see if they have accomdations for females in heat but the day cares do not. We have fabulous neighbors that have been willing to help...I just have used them so much while hubby has been hospitalized that I hate to continue. It will be only 4 weeks or so, right?
The pet sitter is expensive but so worth it-maybe I can piece it together like before.
I don't want her health to suffer-just dont feel comfortable doing the sx this soon. If I have to get a second job to pay the pet sitter-I will do it.

 

[ruthcatrin]

How old is she now? I know some folks on here have commented that their bitches sometimes don't come into their first heat untill they're alot closer to 1yr, so you might get lucky.

 

[danielleconn]

How old is she now? I know some folks on here have commented that their bitches sometimes don't come into their first heat untill they're alot closer to 1yr, so you might get lucky.

Yup, my bitch is 12 months, going on 13, and still nothing...

 

[vadersmom]

She is a little over 8 months but she is a half-pint, pocket BM at 55 pounds. Does the breed dictate the timing or the actual body weight? That would be fabulous if she waited till closer to a year. I think her aunts were late like that as well. Hubby then would be up on a leg and can watch a bit better.
You know guys, I have been so on edge these last 4 months that as things are getting better with hubs that SOMETHING else has to go wrong here, dang it!!!!
I guess I am looking for an issue when truely, one may not exist!!

 

[el gato diablo]

Is there any practical way to modify the fence so that an intrusion from another dog is not possible? Electric fencing is what I have in mind...it's pretty easy to install and not too pricey.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I'd hold off panicking at this point, you might be lucky! And if she does go into heat, getting a petsitter who can come by a couple times a day for 3-4 weeks might be the solution....

 

[vadersmom]

Thanks for all the solutions.....to the upcoming problem. I think the petsitter in combo with kennelling at the vet(I asked and they do that) will get us through. My vet she could also test her "bits" to see is she has any hint of that. She goes in next month for a kennel cough so I may do that.
Thanks guys....I want to stick to our original plan for her as MY entire life is now changed!!!! Something to have a bit of control over is a good thing.

 

[DMikeM]

Maybe for the outside times you could use a 20 or 30 foot lunge line attached to a heavy Eye bolt next to the door entry. That way hubby can watch from a chair in the door way and reel her in if a situation arises. Just a thought.

 

[vadersmom]

All great ideas!! Thanks all!! I used to have a horse so a lunge line I have. Our yard has planty of tress but there are sections with less so she can stay there until I get home or the dog walker comes.