Spaying older GSD

[Tresco]

Rescued a very neglected long coat German Shepherd last year at 8 years of age and planned to have her spayed once she'd settled in. So three months on she's booked in with the Vet and of course two days before her op she came into season, same thing happened approximately six months later

She's now 9 and whilst I'm very aware of the benefits of having her done, particularly with the risks of pyometra in older dogs, I'm also nervous of her going under a general anesthetic at her age, the Vet is also reluctant but says on balance we should probably get her done, the rescue people say much the same.

So, anybody done this with an older dog?

[Jasandjules]

Beautiful hound.

We had our 8 year old rescue neutured. But he was male. Hopefully bex will be on soon...

[tenex]

I had a cocker spayed at 11 because of a pyometra. She is still working at 13.
So no problem in this case.
I must admit I am puzzled about what people consider an old dog. Probably breed dependant.

[jagracer]

She is absolutely adorable.

[Tresco]

She may well be nearer 10.. I came to realise that dog rescue ads are rather like dating profiles!

[bexVN]

Hi Tresco. I sympathise with your dilemma.

You have to way up the pro's and cons.

Having her spayed now whilst she is still otherwise good for her age would be the better option than waiting until she becomes poorly from a pyo increasing GA risk, long term recovery etc.

bhes generally come into season every 6 months so the idea is to spay half way between the two as it's generally felt to be the safest time.

As an older dog I would recommend a pre anaesthetic blood sample and I/V fluids for during the op. There would be no point putting her through a routine but still big operation if she has eg dodgy kidneys. If her bloods were normal then the fluids will help with her recovery and help protect her organs during the anaesthetic. No op is risk free but there is no reason why she shouldn't survive the op with a competent vet and good nursing team any less than a younger dog (as long as there is no underlying health problem with her)

If you decide not to operate now then you will need to accept the fact that there is a likely chance that she will develop a pyo later on and run the risk of emergency surgery to save her life and increased risk of stress to her body. Many dogs survive pyometras with surgery but they do still die sometimes unexpectedly even after surgery due to the toxic shock effects of it. Some try to treat a mild pyo with antibiotics but it rarely works sufficently.

I hope that helps but if I've raised more questions instead feel free to ask!

[Tresco]

Thank you Bex that's really helpful.

As her last season was early this year I'm guessing that her next one is imminent, would your advice be to wait for that and then hope to do the op three months after?

She's in good health otherwise, recently had a blood test with no problems evident.

Thanks again.

[bexVN]

Yes. Whilst it can technically be done anytime the idea is for the time to be when hormones are most settled and there is less blood supply and friability to the uterus (less likely for tissue to break down and bleed during surgery.)

[Mrs Grumpy]

The usual advice is to spay three months after a season, so halfway between the seasons when the hormones are most settled, as Bex says

I had a dental done on a 16 yo girl. She coped with the GA fine

[pikeyboy]

Just taken on a 6 year old german short haired pointer GSP who was been spayed last week. No post op probs and seems in fine fettle and is now giving my 14 month old GSP a run for her money.

[Tresco]

Thanks very much for all the replies, hopefully she'll come into season shortly and we can book her in at the end of the year.