My lovely Cassis went in to be spayed on Thursday just gone, she's had 2 seasons and is 22 months old. And I've been beside myself with guilt and quite irrationally emotional. I've had bitches spayed before without a second thought, but they had all had one litter of puppies before hand. I just haven't been able to get the thought out of my head that I've taken something away from her that can never go back. I know it means she'll never suffer another phantom pregnancy, and she did suffer, or get pyometra and be ill but I still feel terrible. To make matters worse the vet found a small lump just inside the incision site which I gave permission to have excised, so this meant she was under anaesthetic for longer, and had has a bigger wound than she would have done otherwise. She cried and whined/howled most of the night, which I've never experienced before. Then today we've been back for post op check, and I got talking to a lady in the waiting room (well, Cassie started it!) whose dog had had an immense amount of orthopaedic surgery elbows, hips, CL you name it he's had it, can hardly have an original joint left in his body. He's a rescue dog, I asked what breed, she said Rottie/Mastiff x Staffy -- therefore a big body on little legs. Well when I saw him I couldn't believe it -- so misshapen and ugly, but I'm not to judge, he was clearly amazing happy in himself and thrilled to see his owner. But he has got a huge barrel of a body on little Queen Anne legs. I felt quite sick actually, to think that human beings can cause such a freak. And as his owner said heaven knows what has happened to the rest of his litter. And then we saw the lovely vet nurse, capable, kind and professional. I told her how I felt, so bad, and she told me that she does a lot of work for a dog charity and that really without question I'd done the right thing -- that it isn't just the pit breeds etc that get into difficulty, that more and more they are seeing Labradors and GR's coming in because people can't or won't cope with them once they hit 7-9 months of age. Of course neither of these things are new to me, but it has helped me feel better I suppose. And got me musing, again, on the rights and wrongs of breeding and human manipulation of dogs.
I know what you`re saying , the lady we rehomed Nelly from had not had her spayed because she said " She had planned to breed from her but other stuff got in the way " . I find it appalling , that a deaf dog with joint issues could have been bred from without a thought , first thing we did was to book her in for a spay when the timing was right . Likewise , Sams breeder was informed immediately re his lymphoma, which I had been told " could be genetic " . The Animal Health Trust had Sam on their programme , in their molecular oncology research dept . I sent in his DNA ( swab round the inner cheek ) and they had his tissue sample to analyse . So, on their recommendation , I informed his breeder, but to no avail, which breaks my heart to think that someone else could go through a similar heartbreak as we have done . I could truly weep at what humans have done to some breeds , and still it goes on regardless of the suffering caused x
Is Cassie all okay now after her spay? I’m sorry you have felt guilty and emotional about all of this but I just think you have been a responsible pet owner. I expect I am going to feel the same way too when it is Red’s turn but deep down I know it’s the right thing to do. I remember feeling terrible when Sky had her spay but once she was over it, we have just concentrated on giving her a good happy life.
Yes, this exactly. I remember as a kid in the sixties my Dad telling me about how Cocker Spaniels had been bred for the show bench to have the domed heads at the expense of other attributes and it had lead to questionable temperaments. I don't hear of that these days, so perhaps that is no longer an issue. But HD in Labs and Gsd was about then, and that's a lot of dog generations. It is as you say enough to make you weep, to think it still occurs. A lot to be said though for the much loved little mongrels you used to see about, I don't think they had a days illness in their lives! So I was surprised to learn this morning that crossbreds have all these issues, but when I saw him I could see why.
Thanks, yes she's recovering well, patrolled the garden for cat poo this morning so I think we can say normal service is being resumed . Because of the larger incision she's experiencing more discomfort than she would otherwise, but was sent home with pain relief, the norm now apparently, which is kind. My other girlies never had that! I know the reaction is all in my head we will both get over it !
I was the same when Poppy was spayed; I really grieved that she would never be a mother, and I felt really bad for putting her through that operation, even though it was necessary for her, health-wise... But she seems perfectly happy the way she is! In a few days you and Cassie will both be feeling fine, I am sure.
I felt the opposite when Tatze was spayed. Very pleased that my baby wouldn’t have to have babies herself.
Hope you are both feeling ok soon. You did everything for the kindest reasons with Cassie's health and well being top priority.
Just want to send you both big hugs. We were considering breeding from Harley but as you know, due to pyrometers that decision was taken out of our hands. When she had the emergency spay they also found a hernia which also involved a larger incision so I totally understand how you feel. I hope Cassie is back to her normal, playful self soon x
As everyone else has said, you've done absolutely the right thing. Once fully recovered Cassie will be an extremely happy girl - no more pesky hormones tormenting her
Hope both of you are doing well. Sure Cassie be back to mischievous behaviour, sorry pleasant and well behavior in no time. Always harder on us as they cant actually talk to let us know. You just have to pick up the signs, which sometimes is not that easy. I am sure you will be fine in a few days when you see her running around being all happy.
