Do you regret spaying your dog? Things to consider before the procedure

Owning a female dog means you'll eventually have to consider spaying or neutering.
For first-time dog owners, the thought of having your beloved pet undergo the procedure can be very unsettling.

Spaying or spaying is never mandatory; it's up to the owner to decide whether or not to have the procedure.

Whichever you choose, you need to make a firm decision so you don't end up regretting it later.

This article explains the reasons for and against spaying and neutering your pet, and will help you make the decision. If you're undecided about whether to spay or neuter your pet, please read on.

What is contraceptive surgery?

Spaying a female dog is a surgical procedure to remove her uterus and ovaries. Some veterinary clinics may only remove the ovaries. Spaying is an important procedure to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

The main steps of the surgery are as follows:

1. Preoperative Examination
2. General Anesthesia
3. Surgery
4. Postoperative Care
5. Discharge
6. Suture Removal

Spaying a dog requires general anesthesia and an abdominal incision.
Since an abdominal incision requires surgery, recovery takes time, and typically, a one-day hospital stay after surgery is required.
Spaying a dog has the following benefits: Preventing reproductive diseases, suppressing estrus, and reducing stress in dogs.

Three Reasons to Spay/Neutere Your Pet

Spaying your pet has three benefits.
Please keep the following benefits in mind if you are considering having your pet spayed or neutered.

Avoid the stress and inconvenience of estrus

Female dogs go into estrus once or twice a year.
During estrus, dogs can become stressed, lose their appetite, and become restless.
You should also take care to put your dog in a diaper when walking or going out, and keep your dog away from male dogs if you do not want her to become pregnant.
In particular, you should avoid places like dog parks, grooming salons, and pet hotels, as these can lead to conflict with other dogs.
However, neutering your dog will prevent it from going into estrus.
This will reduce stress for the dog and the burden on the owner.

Prevent Unplanned Pregnancy

Neutering can help prevent unplanned pregnancies.
During estrus, you should avoid parks and dog runs, as they can excite male dogs.
You should also change your walking route to avoid encountering other dogs as much as possible.
However, once your dog is neutered and the possibility of pregnancy is eliminated, you can let her play with a variety of dogs without worry.
By interacting with many dogs, your dog will be able to interact with other dogs and owners more, making walks and outings more enjoyable.

Reducing the Risk of Senior Diseases

Spaying can also reduce the risk of senior diseases.
As dogs reach seniorhood, they are at greater risk of reproductive diseases.
In senior years, you should be especially careful of the following diseases:

・Pyometra
・Mammary tumor
・Ovarian tumor

In particular, pyometra is a life-threatening disease caused by a bacterial infection that causes pus to accumulate in the uterus.
Bacterial toxins can cause blood clots and kidney failure, so it is a disease that should be avoided for the sake of your dog's health.
Spaying is the most effective way to prevent these diseases.
Preventing future diseases is a major benefit of spaying.

Reasons I don't want to get neutered

Spaying your dog has both advantages and disadvantages.
After weighing the pros and cons, some pet owners choose not to have their pet spayed or neutered.
So, what are some reasons for choosing not to have their pet spayed or neutered?

Pity for the pet

One common reason given for not spaying or neutering a dog is that it's "pity for the pet."
While general anesthesia prevents the dog from feeling pain during the surgery, the abdominal incision places a significant burden on the dog.
Also, even after the anesthesia wears off, it cannot be guaranteed that the dog will not feel pain.
Another reason for not spaying or neutering a dog is the owner's desire to "let their pet live in its natural state."

Concerns about the risks of general anesthesia

Even if they understand the benefits of spaying or neutering, many owners are hesitant to have their pets undergo the procedure due to concerns about the risks of general anesthesia.
The smaller a dog is, the greater the risk of general anesthesia tends to be.
However, just like anesthesia used on humans, there is no anesthesia that is 100% safe.
Therefore, it is difficult to completely eliminate the risks of anesthesia.
At animal hospitals, veterinarians constantly monitor your dog's condition both after anesthesia and during surgery, allowing for prompt response in emergencies.
Finding a reliable veterinarian may help alleviate your concerns about the risks of general anesthesia.

More likely to gain weight

After a dog is spayed or neutered, its metabolism slows down, making it more likely to gain weight.
This is because the loss of the uterus and ovaries means that the energy used to maintain reproductive function is no longer consumed.
Furthermore, dogs' appetites may increase after surgery.
Many owners seem to be reluctant to have their dogs spayed or neutered because they are more likely to gain weight.
While it's difficult to prevent a slowdown in metabolism, it's possible to prevent your dog from gaining weight by controlling their weight after surgery.

Four Things You Can Do to Avoid Regrets

Spaying your dog requires general anesthesia, so you must also consider the anesthetic risks. Not only is anesthesia necessary, but the surgery itself involves an incision in the abdomen, placing a significant burden on the dog. However, spaying and neutering has benefits beyond its risks, including preventing illness. Whether you choose to undergo the surgery or not, be sure to gather information thoroughly to avoid regrets. To ensure you don't regret your decision, we recommend the following four steps.

① Choose a Reliable Veterinarian

Veterins are not just there for spaying and neutering, they are also your dog's lifelong companion. Dogs may experience health problems or illnesses throughout their lives. It's a good idea to find a regular veterinarian to help you prepare for these situations.
You can trust your dog with a reliable veterinarian.
It's up to you as the owner to carefully consider whether the veterinarian is trustworthy.

② Confirm and Consult About the Spay/Neutering Surgery

Spaying typically involves the complete removal of the uterus and ovaries. However, some veterinary clinics may only remove the ovaries.
Therefore, it's important to confirm the details of the surgery to ensure they are correct.
Make sure you're fully informed about the spay/neuter surgery, the procedure, and post-operative care, and discuss any concerns you may have.

③ Manage your dog's health before and after surgery

If you are undergoing spaying or neutering, be sure to manage your dog's health carefully before and after surgery.
There will be a pre-operative examination before surgery, so if your dog's health is abnormal, the surgery will not be possible.
After surgery, your dog's physical strength will be reduced, so health management and care are necessary.
If you have any concerns before surgery, even if they are minor, please let your veterinarian know.

④ Consider your dog's life plan

Spaying your dog will prevent it from giving birth.
Once the surgery is performed, it cannot be undone.
Therefore, if you want to breed your dog, you should not have it spayed.
If you are unsure whether to breed your dog, you should take the time to think it through carefully.
It is up to the owner to carefully consider whether or not they want to breed in the future.

Summary

We've introduced what you can do to avoid regrets after spaying or neutering your pet, as well as reasons for not having the procedure and reasons for having one.
Spaying your dog is an important decision that will affect their entire life.

Dogs can become irritable and emotionally unstable during heat. Furthermore, unlike humans, dogs do not experience menopause.

If you choose not to spay or neuter your dog, you will likely have to deal with heat issues for the rest of your life. You need to weigh the pros and cons of spaying and neutering and think about the kind of life you want your dog to lead.

Whatever your decision, make sure you gather information carefully and discuss it with your veterinarian to avoid any regrets.