Question: Can You Spay A Dog or Cat In Heat (Estrus)?
A viewer asked: "Can a female dog in heat be spayed?"
Answer:
(by Dr. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM )
Technically the answer is yes, a dog or cat in heat (also known as
estrus)
can be spayed. Your results may vary though, as many vets prefer to
wait until the heat cycle is over. The size, age and overall health of
the pet are considered as well. If the spay is done while the animal is
in heat, the costs are usually a little higher.
Spaying While In Heat
During a heat cycle, the blood vessels that supply the ovaries and
uterus are engorged. Additionally these tissues are more "friable" (may
tear more easily than normal) and bleed more. Even tissue not associated
with the reproductive organs - skin, fat, muscle - often seep more than
normal during surgery.
This often makes a typically elective surgery more stressful than it
needs to be, and carries additional risk of bleeding problems during the
surgery or post-operatively. Some veterinarians will not spay a pet in
heat and recommend that surgery be scheduled a week or two after the
cycle ends.
Sometimes the answer is "maybe." Sometimes veterinarians are selective
about the type of pet that they will spay while in heat. Generally
speaking: Cat in-heat spays are easier than dog in-heat spays. Small
dogs are easier than large dogs. Overweight pets are difficult to spay
both in heat and not in heat. Anesthesia is riskier too. One more reason
to
make sure your pet is not overweight.
Additional Costs When Spaying a Pet in Heat
If a pet is spayed while in heat, the surgery takes a little longer and
additional surgical supplies such as gauze sponges and suture may be
needed. Fluids during surgery are standard for many practices and are
built in to the surgery cost. For some practices, this may be an
additional cost for an in-heat spay. (IV fluids during surgery always a
good idea in my opinion.)
Planning Ahead
Dogs and cat are typically spayed at six months of age. If spayed before
the first heat cycle (which happens around 6 months), the chances of
mammary cancer are greatly reduced (96%). Spaying at any age eliminates
the chance of ovarian and uterine cancers, as they are removed during a
typical spay. Some animals, especially those at shelters, are spayed and
neutered at much younger ages.
The "best" age to spay and neuter is a topic of much debate. Speak to
your veterinarian about your specific pet (dog, cat, breed, etc.) for
advice on age to spay. Most people will agree that it is best to avoid
spaying when in heat if possible.
Sometimes an appointment is made in advance or an animal is found, rescued, etc. and the
estrus
status is not known when the surgery is scheduled. If this is the case,
speak to your veterinarian about possible risks and added costs of
spaying while in heat.