Scheduled for spay, but just went into heat

[ElsasFamily]

Yep, after our vet's office rescheduled her surgery I had a sneaking suspicion this would happen.

So the vet's office said they could still do it, just more a bit more complicated and of course more money.

The only reason I'm considering doing it right now is because I've been waiting forever on this Obedience class to start and they will not allow females in season to attend. Classes start January 19th.

So does anyone have experience with this? What types of complications came from the surgery? I'm just not sure what to do right now, and I need to make a decision by tomorrow.

Thanks

[dogsbydoug]

We had a foster come into rescue in heat and I asked the same question. After much advice from folks, we opted NOT to do the spay until after the heat was finished. She finished her heat at the end of November and was spayed on December 30th - the only thing we have to deal with now is the fact she is now lactating (thanks BostonRott for the advice!)...apparently that is normal. She was back to her normal affectionate self within 36 hours of surgery.

We also had a foster girl who was about to go into heat and the spay was very hard on her - took at least 2 full days for her to back to her wiggly affectionate self.

I would not take the risk of having her spayed while in heat...not worth the risks.

[BostonRott]

The biggest risk is increased blood loss during surgery. B/c she's in heat, her entire uterus is engorged with blood. If you wait until a month after she's out of heat (so basically about 7wks from now), the uterus should be back down to normal size.

I'd be willing to guess that b/c it's a messier procedure and more involved, there is more monitoring done during the procedure and that's part of the increased cost (as well as it taking longer in general).

[ElsasFamily]

Gretchen would you recommend us waiting on her to finish up?

Doug you've recommend do that.

I guess it just boils down to missing training...sigh

[BostonRott]

Yes, I probably would. Perhaps you could talk to the obedience instructor and see if they'll let you sit in on class as an observer. You'd be amazed at how much you can learn from watching others work with their dogs, and seeing the mistakes they are making.

[debbiej]

you would only miss one week right?

[BostonRott]

No, she'd miss at least half of the classes, as bitches are usually in heat for 3-4 weeks.

[debbiej]

but the classes don't start until the 19th.??

[ElsasFamily]

yeah, that is two weeks from today. So she would probably miss at least 2 if not 3 classes. And then I'm gone for one week in Feb, but they allow you to make up one class. It's an 8 week class.

I sent an email to the instructor today, so now I'm just waiting on her reply. Maybe I'll luck out and only females will be in the class and she'll let Elsa come.

[Burnsway]

I would opt to wait too for reasons given. You may be out a few bucks in classes but you would also be out more money for the surgery. So I say go the safest route for the dog and reschedule.

[ElsasFamily]

Thanks everyone for replying. I'll reschedule Elsa's surgery tomorrow for 7 to 8 weeks later.

I'm sure something will work out with training.

[shybird]

My vet refused to spay if the dog is in heat. If it were a life and death emergency, he would, but a routine spay, no way. He feels it is dangerous.