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Spay / Neuter

Yorkshire Terrier Spaying and Neutering

Overview

If you are considering having your female Yorkshire Terrier spayed or having your male Yorkie neutered, it is wise to understand both the pros and cons, how the procedure is performed, healing time and changes to expect afterward. 

With a female spaying refers to when the dog’s uterus and the ovaries are surgically removed. For the male, neutering means that the testicles are surgically removed. It is a common belief that this is only done to stop dogs from mating. While this is one of the end results, there are also other important ways in which this will help your Yorkshire Terrier live a healthier and longer life.

Benefits of Spaying a Female Yorkie:

• Stops the chance of her of getting pregnant. Without proper pre-pregnancy testing (including measuring pelvic width), carrying a litter and giving birth can be exceedingly stressful and even dangerous for a dog. And since dogs do not enter the human equivalent of menopause, females of any age can get accidentally pregnant

• Eliminates her chances of developing ovarian cancer and greatly reduces her chances for developing mammary cancer. This will also decrease her odds of developing ovarian infections. The younger she is when being spayed, the better the chances.

• Cuts down on urges to run away when in heat (some females will actively pursue males)

• Stops possible hormone related mood swings

• Helps with marking issues (90% of the time if a female is spayed before the first heat); keep in mind that territorial females mark just as males do.

Benefits of Neutering a Male Yorkie:

• Eliminates the chance that he could impregnate a female.
• Eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors
• Reduces the risk of prostate disease – This is a very common and serious health issue for male dogs. Roughly 60% of male dogs, that are older than 5 years old and not neutered, show symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Some studies suggest the risk increases (more ahead). 
• Cuts down on territorial marking
• Cuts down on urges to run away (males can smell a female in heat 1 to 3 miles away)

Risks with Both Spaying and Neutering 

Most veterinarians agree that the benefits far outweigh the risks and this is something that you’ll want to discuss with your Yorkshire Terrier’s vet. There are some possible risks that every owner needs to consider:

Known Risks

Urinary incontinence for females. There is a known increased rate of urinary incontinence (weak bladder) with spayed females. Of female dogs that are spayed, approximately 20% will develop incontinence sometime during their lifetimes. Incontinence can develop shortly after the procedure or many years later. Many vets suggest that waiting until the age of 3 months will cut down on the chance of later developing this. 

Possible Risks - For these listed possible risks, many veterinary experts admit that there is not enough supporting research to conclude if any of these risks are valid. 

• Cardiac tumors. There is much debate on this topic. At the time of this writing, essentially just 1 study (by Ware and Hopper - Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, March/April 1999) concluded that spaying and neutering increased the risk of cardiac tumors; 4 times greater for females and only slighter greater for males. 

• Increased rate of other cancers. Again, there is much debate about this. Some studies show that spaying and neutering prevent cancers. Others studies show it increases the risk. Specifically, some studies have concluded that spay/neutering increases: Osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer), bladder and prostate cancer (a 2002 study showed prostate cancer was 4 times more likely to develop with neutered males; a 2007 study showed both were 3 to 4 times more likely) and lymphoma (studies show a very slight risk of increase for spayed females).

• Delay in growth-plate closure. This refers to growth plates closing later than normal, leading to possible increase of bone fractures. It may also lead to a dog growing a bit larger than he/she would otherwise. Just as many vets agree than those that disagree. It is generally accepted that growth plates may close a bit later (12 to 18 months later), though this equals a difference of just millimeters seen on x-rays. 
• Reaction to anesthesia. While it is considered a small risk, having anesthesia does indeed come with some risks, including serious ones, and this is particularly so with very small dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier. Next, we discuss this in more detail. 

What to Know About Yorkies and Anesthesia

Overview:

Just like with humans, there is always some risk when anesthesia is given. And some sources wildly exaggerate problems that Yorkies can have when sedated. So, not only do pet parents wonder how risky it is to give a tiny Yorkshire Terrier anesthesia and what the dangers are, but they can also be very scared to agree to have any sort of procedures done, including spaying and neutering or professional full-dental cleanings. 

General risks: 

In regard to all canines in general, a large study was conducted in the UK regarding risk of death with pets given anesthesia that involved 98,000 dogs (as well as 79,000 cats). The nearly 100 K dogs were all ages and ranged from very healthy to very ill. 

The study showed that the risks of anaesthetic and sedation-related death in dogs was 0.17%, which is 1 in 601. This is considered very low, relatively speaking. And, it must be mentioned that if a death occurred up to 48 hours after sedation, it was reported and included even if it was technically related to something else, like a weak heart, for example.  
Certain risks linked specifically to small dogs: 
Aside from underlying health issues and old age, a factor that increases the risk of anesthesia is low weight. Sedation is up to 8 times riskier for small dogs under 10 pounds (4.5 kg). Therefore, this applies to the majority of Yorkshire Terriers and certainly to puppies that are going to be spayed or neutered. 
There are two main dangers of anesthesia that are linked to low weight:  

1. Hypotension. This is the medical term for low blood pressure and this is one of the most commonly seen complications with pets that undergo sedation. Very low blood pressure can damage the kidneys, brain, and other vital organs, and can be fatal. 

But, there are ways to minimize this risk. 

Though one may assume that all would, many private veterinary practices do not monitor a dog's blood pressure during procedures. However, if it is monitored, and hypotenstion is detected, there are effective methods to restore blood pressure while sedated including increased IV fluids and, if that fails, certain medications that are given intravenously.
2. Hypothermia. This is the medical term for low body temperature and this is a common complication with small dogs that do not have a lot of fat stores, therefore this also applies to most Yorkshire Terriers. 

There are ways to minimize this risk as well. 

If a veterinarian uses a patient warming system, this can greatly reduce the onset of hypothermia. This usually involves a warming blanket that goes under and/or over a sedated dog and this is heated via air, water, or by electricity. 
How to minimize the risk of anesthesia with a Yorkie:

Before a spaying or neutering procedure is scheduled, speak to the vet in person regarding: 
  • The importance of monitoring blood pressure. Also ask what the planned treatment options are, should blood pressure start to dip.
  • The importance of using a warming blanket or other warming method. 
  • Pre-surgical health assessment; if your Yorkie has any current health problems this may be a reason to delay the spay or neuter procedure.
  • Your Yorkie's weight. If a puppy is undersized, it may be advised to wait until he or she is a bit larger. 
If you are afraid to have your Yorkie spayed or neutered: 

If you do not feel comfortable with the veterinarian that will be performing the procedure or he/she will not agree to suggested methods to reduce sedation risks, you have every right to step away and locate a new vet. 

And, if you are concerned about having your Yorkie spayed or neutered due to their age, weight, or any other element, it is okay to give it some more thought or wait a bit longer. While early spaying and neutering often brings about the most benefits, this must also be balanced with other aspects such as a Yorkie's size or their current health status. Spaying and neutering at any age is always beneficial, so pet parents should not feel pressured to have it done if they do not feel comfortable. 

Myths About Spaying and Neutering 

The two most common mis-truths about both genders is: 

1) Neutering a male dog will automatically make him depressed, lose strength or decrease his activity level. This is a myth. Studies have shown that male dogs do not act out any mating behavior unless they are moved by their own hormones in reaction to a female dog that is in heat. When neutered, it does not trouble a dog that he cannot mate as the urge is gone. A male Yorkshire Terrier will behave normally in all regards of activity and in having endurance to exercise. 

2) A dog will automatically become overweight and/or lazy. This is a myth. When given the appropriate amount of food and exercised properly, Yorkies will not have any noticeable changes in weight or activity. 

The Best Age to Spay or Neuter a Yorkshire Terrier

For the most benefits, ideally a Yorkshire Terrier should be spayed or neutered before the age of 1 year old. 

With females, studies show that the best chance of lower cancer rates is when spaying is performed before the first heat cycle; typically at the age of 4 to 5 months old. The odds of developing mammary cancer increases even if a dog goes through just one heat and increases as each future heat cycle is allowed to happen. 

With males, neutering is typically done before a dog reaches puberty, at the age of 4 to 6 months old, before bad habits like territorial marking can be established.  

This said, the weight-related risks of anesthesia must also be looked at. Even if you have found a veterinarian that monitors blood pressure and uses a warming blanket, if your Yorkie is undersized, the vet may advise to wait until the 6, 9, or 12-month mark. And, this is okay. Spaying and neutering at any age will have benefits. 

How the Procedures of Spaying and Neutering is Performed 

Spaying females is performed by giving the dog general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the abdomen. The uterus is then removed from that small incision. The ovarian ligaments and blood vessels are securely tied. The abdominal tissues are stitched back together in layers (internally). Outside (external) stitches are put in place as well. 

Neutering a male is performed by making an incision in front of the dog’s scrotum. The testicles are then removed through this small incision. The blood vessels are tied off and cut. The incision will either have stitches that dissolve or ones which will need to be removed 10 days after the surgery. 

What to Expect Afterwards

Males will recover faster than females, often getting back to normal in just a few days. With females, it takes about 2 weeks to fully heal. For both female and male Yorkies, water should not be given for 1 hour after the procedure. 

For the female Yorkshire Terrier, it is important that she be allowed to completely rest for 10 days. Though rare, if she shows any signs of vomiting, tremors, pale gums or bleeding, this indicates complications and the dog should be brought to the veterinarian immediately. A female may try to lick her stitches and this can cause infection; therefore, steps can be taken to prevent her from doing so. 

In about 2 weeks, she will have a checkup to make sure all is well and stitches will be removed at that time. 

For a male, there is usually swelling for about 3 days. There may be some light bruising. Discomfort is usually low and most dogs do not need pain medication. The majority of male dogs are ready to play, exercise and run around as normal even just days later; however, to make sure that the incision heals correctly, it is recommended to limit these activities for 2 weeks. 

Spaying/ Neutering Senior Dogs

Some Yorkshire Terrier owners do not see the point of spaying or neutering an older, senior dog. However, doing so may help to extend a dog’s life span. There are several reasons why including: 

• A female may have heat cycles for her entire life. Dogs do not have the canine equivalent of menopause. Since a female can conceive during heat, there is always the chance of an accidental pregnancy. Having puppies in the senior years can be very dangerous for both the female dog and impending puppies. 

• It still decreases chances of cancer. Having this done, even to a senior dog, can be very helpful in allowing him/her to live as long as possible. 

• When a female is spayed, this reduces hormone changes in her body. These changes can affect other health conditions a dog may have including diabetes and epilepsy. 
Things to Do Now:

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