35. Questions about Spaying A Dog

Thank you for your e-mail. Please see my reply in CAPITAL LETTERS below:

2009/12/5 <...@hotmail.com>

Hi Dr. Sing,

This is (Owner's Name). I have brought my toy poodle, XXX, to see you last month for her leg sprain, if you still remember. She has since recovered and is walking normally, thank you.

I would like to make an appointment for my dog to be spayed and have 2 of her puppy tooth to be removed at the same time (2 have since dropped on their own), since she has to be under general anaesthetic for these procedures respectively. My thought is that she need not go through general anaesthetic twice if done together.


She is currently coming to 9 months, weights around 4.3kg, has not have her first heat yet, and is not on heat at the moment. I hope to seek your advice on the following:

1. What is the main difference spaying her now at 9 months, before her first heat, compared to 3 months after the first heat? any major downside if I wish to spay her now?

SPAYING BEFORE HEAT AT 9 MONTHS OF AGE - The female dog is no longer a puppy. There is no problem in spaying if she is healthy. I recommend spaying 3 months after the first heat is to ensure that the surgery is much less bloody as the uterine, ovarian and omental blood vessels are not enlarged at this time. Therefore they are not so fragile when clamped and ligated. Most likely, your poodle may have her first heat with little vaginal bleeding, from 6-9 months, but you did not know.
You could observe a period of her cleaning her private parts for a week and that would be her first heat.

9 2. What are the things to observe with regards to food intake before her surgery?

NO FOOD AND WATER AFTER 10 PM the night before the surgery.

3. How long is the procedure and how soon can I pick her up from the clinic after the surgery?
ANAESTHESIA AND SURGERY TAKE AROUND 30 MINUTES normally.You can pick her up in the evening around 7-10pm during weekdays.

4. After surgery, any medications or special diet required? ANTIBIOTICS AND PAIN-KILLERS ARE GIVEN. NO SPECIAL DIET normally. Do i need to cage her to restrict or minimise her movement? RESTRICTION OF JUMPING FOR FIRST 7 DAYS WILL BE IDEAL.

5. How big/long is the incision usually? AROUND 2.5 CM USUALLY IF THERE ARE NO COMPLICATIONS.

6. What is the cost for spaying and removal of 2 puppy teeth? COST FOR SPAY IS ESTIMATED AT $200 excluding medication. PUPPY TEETH REMOVAL + ANAESTHESIA estimated to be around $100.

Thank you for your time, Dr Sing.






Pictures are not that of the dog mentioned in the e-mail.