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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Need advice- unspayed 14 y/o?
We are about 90% committed to adopting a 14 y/o GSP that was dumped in a shelter b/c she was a "burden" to the family who had owned her since she was a puppy (wtf is wrong w/people??!!).
After evaluation by the foster center she was just transferred to, we were told that she isn't spayed. I know nothing about any of that when it comes to dogs. Anyone have any insight? Forgive my...dumbness...but for a dog does going into heat eventually...stop?? At 14 we highly doubt she'll live more than a year, but we just need to educate ourselves on this!
TIA!
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Re: Need advice- unspayed 14 y/o?
Thanks!
I should have clarified, we are not looking to spay her before or after adoption. I should have said that @ the end of the post. More or less I was looking for advice on having a dog that is unspayed....living w/our 8 y/o male is neutered.
We took our dog out to the foster center to meet his potential sister today. She is super sweet & tiny! The 2 could care less about eachother which was awesome! We'll hopefully have her home by Weds
congrats!
I can't imagine there being any issues between your two dogs related the female being intact. Here's to a happy homecoming!
Hey I lurk on the ob sometimes, but dont have a SN there. Just thought I would also mention that at her age a spay WON"T significantly cut down on cancer chances.
Not that you were changing your mind because of that post, but just as an FYI.
As PP said, at this point spaying wont lessen any of her chances for cancer, so that means you have to take it upon yourself to be extra vigilant. Giving her checks at home, while you can't diagnose anything you can find a lump before it becomes worse. I would speak to your veterinarian about pyometria, and what to look for. She is prone to pyometria simply because she has a uterus, this happens when bacteria etc. makes it's way into the uterus and starts an infection. An overwhelming majority of females left unspayed develop pyometria at some point in their life, and there's nothing the owner can do to prevent it other than spay them. I don't mean to sound as if I'm putting any blame on you, I'm not, you didn't abandon her or leave her in-tact. I just encourage you to bring these things up with your veterinarian, and make yourself aware of what to look for.
Thank you for adopting this old girl and giving her a warm and loving home. Good luck to y'all!
Edit: This may sound gross, but I would become familiar with her heat cycles. When I worked at a vet clinic we saw an older dog come in with the complaint of having an extra heavy cycle, she ended up having pyometria. (The owners didn't seem to notice that she'd also dropped 20 pounds, and was so dehydrated her eyes were sunken into her head, but that's another story)
Its a bad idea to spay at that age. At her age it would be a major surgery to remove ovaries and uterus. It will take forever for her to recover as well.
On a positive note I would recommend using supplements such as Fish Oil (omega 3/6), Culturelle (probiotic), and Move Free (Glucosamine/MSM). It will help her quite a bit overall.
I was reading here something about bronchitis but had to register and leave this reply.
Cheers