Kelly is getting spayed tomorrow.

[Lynn in TN]

Well I have weighed the pros and cons and Kelly is getting spayed tomorrow. There are to many big male dogs (that are off leash) in our area to let it go until she is 1 year old. Living in a mobile home park fencing the yard is not an option.

It is hard to believe she is 28 weeks old already. Time flies.

I have a few questions about it. How long before they can move around again? Can she be carried? How long before she is back to her old self?

Why am I feeling guilty for having her spayed.

Any words of wisdom or just comments are welcome.

Thank you all so much.

[Tuesday]

I don't have words of wisdom, because I haven't neutered our little guy and he's 3 1/2...

I know she and you will be fine, and it's very responsible of you to do that due to your fencing situation and there really are good health benefits as well for Kelly. I will keep you and Kelly in my thoughts tomorrow...please keep us posted.

[bradl]

Ours have been able to stagger around unaided from the moment we brought them home (same day). They can be carefully carried (to lift them over obstacles they probably should not be jumping over, for instance, or up and down stairs). By the next day, they are usually mostly themselves, if a little careful. By the day after that, we are usually wondering HOW THE HECK are we going to keep her calm enough to not bust a stitch. Nobody has ever busted a stitch, and they all have bounced back just fine. After spaying they seem to gain weight very easily if you don't keep an eye on their intake and its results. 'Easy keepers' can get by on shockingly little food.

[Idaho Cairns]

So, you are feeling guilty for denying your little girl of the "pleasure" of being harassed twice a year by every male dog within a mile of your home? Being denied the "pleasure" of whelping a litter of pups that are taken away from her at eight to ten weeks after eight to ten weeks of hard duty feeding, cleaning, and worrying 24/7? Being denied the "pleasure" of the physical strain of carrying those soon to be lost pups for months at a time?

Unless we are very dedicated owners with a ton of time and money to expend on our little wonders, we should be thankful there is a way to enjoy our dogs without the constant worry and expense of litters. The more I have come to know good hobby and professional Cairn breeders, the more I appreciate their dedication to the breed but I would never willingly take on their burden--I'll bet if you bottom lined most Cairn breeders, you would be shocked at how little money they make per pup placed.

Don't feel the least bit guilty of spaying your Kelly because you are giving her and your family a great gift--freedom to enjoy each other without completely unnecessary restrictions. As much as I love my dogs and as much as I would love to have replicas--I cannot put them or myself thru the rigors of breeding litters.

Lynn you are absolutely doing the right thing for all concerned.

About the recovery? We never have had any problems with care following a spay with any of our dogs. Dogs pretty well know how to take care of themselves and as long as we kept things reasonably quiet for a couple of days, they mended quickly and without complications. We have never used a collar because our dogs, other than an occasional lick or two have left the sutures alone--probably because the modern procedures are pretty pain free for the dogs. Just watch them carefully for any unusual sensitivity or infections that might come along and keep the play at a minimum for a few days and you all should be good to go.

[_whits_]

Addie just got spayed 10 days ago so I can offer some personal experience.

First, regarding the guilt. You really are doing a favour to Kelly by getting this done, and particularly by doing it before her first heat. By doing it now, you've almost completely eliminated the chance she'll develop a number of cancers related to the reproductive system and related hormones. A few days of discomfort in exchange for a lifetime without otherwise common cancers? I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Not to mention the discomfort she'd experience going ino heart and getting harassed by male dogs and the risk she'd get pregnant and all that discomfort and trouble of finding good homes for pups.

I'm not judging anyone, but not spaying or neutering dogs that aren't going to the show ring or being bred by experienced and skilled breeders is irresponsible and dangerous. The likelihood of reproductive cancers in unaltered dogs is so high you're almost guaranteeing a shortened life.

In terms of how little Kelly is going to feel: not great at first. She is having major abdominal surgery. Unless its laparoscopic, she is having her abdominal wall cut open, and all of her reproductive organs removed. She's understandably going to be sore at first. Buy she'll recover faster than you can believe. You can pick her up, but make sure you're supporting her back end so as not to tear stitches or cause pain. For as long as you possibly can, make sure she avoids stairs and jumping. Keep her on leashed walks until the stitches come out. And don't let her play with other dogs until the stitches are out. The less activity for Kelly the longer you can manage it, the better her healing will be and the less chance of complications.

[_whits_]

Couple of things to add. She can start moving around as soon as she starts moving around herself. Just make sure it's not running, jumping, stairs, etc.

All dogs react differently, but Addie was fairly miserable the first day, clearly sore and tender the next, and you could hardly tell anything had happened by the third day. She's getting her stitches out Sat (day 12) mostly because her vet (my dad) knows how crazy she can be and wants to give the stitches a few more days to make sure my little rascal doesn't tear anything.

I basically acted like I was potty training her again the first few days, by keeping her in her crate except when she was going potty, eating, or calmly chewing or cuddling with me.

[lindasue]

Pegi is now 2, and was spayed at 6 months. All she had were a few small cuts - she was home the same day. She was quiet and a little out of it that night, then pretty much back to normal the next day. Hardest part was no walks!!!

[Hawkeye]

Sending best wishes to you and Kelly today. I know it's nerve racking but you are doing the right thing. She will be up and about in a day or two and you will be trying to keep her quiet. Let us know how things go today.

[hheldorfer]

Kelly will be fine and back to Cairn mischief in no time at all. You are absolutely doing the right thing, Lynn. Let us know how she's feeling afterwards and give her some scritches from all her aunts and uncles here on the Cairn Talk.

[pindrop]

Lynn I too would like to add that you are definitely doing the right thing. Little Kelly will be out of it a tad when you first bring her home and will probably sleep well the first night. The vet's may give you some pain killers (as they did for Layla) - we gave her one the following morning and one again later that day but for the most part she was just fine. By day two, we kept her play minimal and she never really tried to get to her stitches. Day three it was back to normal. Big hugs from Layla and me and will look for your update.

[Lynn in TN]

Ok ,so I get up this morning Kelly is so excited to get to go with Mom in the car early in the morning, tail wagging, jumps right in my car. She was so happy on the trip to the vet. She loves on everyone at the vets office.LOL She weighs in at a whopping 8.6 pounds. I fill out paper work. The papers tell me the cost of everything, spay costs $115.00 the extra test to check her liver and kidney function and other things that I choose to do for safety sake an extra $59.00. I leave her there and as soon as I am in the car I cry and get it all out of my system. ( She bewitched the people at the vets office or something.) We all pace the floors until 3 when I call the office to see how she is doing and when I can pick her up. They are telling me on the phone how sweet and what a good little dog she is and that she is doing great and I can come and get her now if I want to, Or I can just leave her their forever If I wish. (Yeah right) I was their to pick her up in ten minutes. They told me how sweet and good she was, so many times and then they said that will be $111.15. I said are you sure that's right? ( I was thinking to myself $115.00 + $59.00 adds up to $174 not $111) They said yes She Is so sweet. They bring her out and she looks like a wilted flower but with a wagging tail. She was happy to see me.I lost it and started crying with joy right there in the vets office. lol

Right now she is a sleep on her bed and I am sooo happy to have her home again. I will keep you all posted as to how she is doing. Thank you all for the encouraging words that I needed to hear.

side note: If our offer on a house had been excepted she would have had one litter of puppies for our enjoyment. My Husband and I wanted 1 litter of puppies from her because 10 of her would not be enough. We would have kept the whole litter to ourselves. We would not attempt it living in this mobile home park though.

[DemiSheep]

Now I am wondering if my wife cried without me seeing when Attila was neutered, she is such a softy one reason why I love her so much! Well you may not get a litter of pups from her but you could go back to the breeder you got her from like my wife and I are going to do in about 6 months and get another amazing Cairn terrier (female this time). We signed paperwork restricting breeding and received a lower price. We can't wait to get him a little sister. Attila acts so much like his Cairn father it's hilarious, I have no doubt that he'll always be this way. He just has to meet EVERYONE or he isn't satisfied. You'd think everyone had treats in their pockets or something.

[Tuesday]

Lynn, I am so happy you have your Kelly home and she came through so well!!!!!!

They do have a way with people, don't they! Too cool on the lower vet bill!!!

[Idaho Cairns]

Now you and the kids should enjoy Kelly while she is "under the influence". I think Cairns all groggy and wobbly after anesthetics are a kick!

[Dempsy's Mom]

Good luck little Kelly. I am glad that you are home and having a good snoozer. Be good to yourself and take full advantage of all the attention.

[janis]

Hi Lynn!

Hope Kelly is feeling better! You did the right thing. She should do just fine and return to her Cairnish ways in no time

[_whits_]

Addie sends hugs and cuddles to Kelly. Addie just got her stitches out today and promises Kelly she'll be back to normal in no time. Plus the extra loving from mom is really nice.

[pindrop]

Hey Lynn - hugs to you and Kelly from Layla & I. I can understand your emotions as whenever our babies are hospitalized there is always some danger - but everything is fine and this is now behind you. Phew... Kelly may be quiet for a day and try to avoid her jumping up. Hope you and Kelly will have a pieceful day today and just cuddle (if that's possible with a Cairn.) Hugs

[Lynn in TN]

Kelly had a small meal last night and drank some water. This morning I took her out and she pottied. She is walking around pretty good today considering. She is not happy about her belly being shaved though she keeps licking it and looking at me like I can't believe you let them do this! LOL It is so funny, at first I thought she was being a little obsessive about her stitches but upon closer inspection it was her shaved belly! haha I don't like it much myself. It is to cold this morning for her to have a shaved belly. Right now she is curled up on the couch with the DH, enjoying all the attention.

[janis]

See! Already on the mend! Don't know about East TN, but middle got a hard frost this morning! It looked like snow! Kirby went out, ran around but was sure glad to come back in and get his rub down with a towel! A shaved belly when the grass is cold is just too much to think about!

[montdoug]

My new little girl Kat is being spayed Thursday. I have no second thoughts or remorse whatsoever. First we raised Boxers and German Shepard's when I was a kid and later I raised Airedales. Done responsibly it is a level of commitment and work I don't care to get involved with at this point in my life . Done irresponsibly and it's terribly wrong to the breed, the individual animal and it just isn't right on many levels .

Second and more importantly getting Kat spayed was part of the agreement I signed on to as part of my arrangement when acquiring her after she was retired as a finished animal at the ripe old age of two.

My only issue is I don't like general anesthetic with animals and I'm particularly nervous cause she's so small even though my vet says that's not a problem at all. Timely topic for me and I'm glad to hear your little gal is doing so well.

[Lynn in TN]

Kelly is wound up. All of that rest the day of the surgery must have caused her a lot of pent up energy. She has been moving at fast speed since Saturday morning. Ha!Ha!

I haven't given her pain medicine, she acts like she doesn't need it. I gave up trying to keep her from doing anything as I was wasting my much needed energy. She has been running, jumping, going up and down steps. She wants to do it herself! I tried to carry her down the porch steps and she would have no part of that she almost cause me to drop her. She wanted to do it with out my help. Scared me to death. Her stitches look great so I am not going to stop her, They aren't even red, look great. To think I was worried.

[MegsMom]

Those pain meds are useful for more than just pain--they can slow her down. Watch the stairs and the jumping, that's not good, there's internal stitches too.

[hheldorfer]

Ditto on the suggestion to keep her from jumping and running up stairs. I know you're happy to see her acting like herself again but she needs to take it easy for a few days. Slow down, Kelly!

[KShep]

I can't believe I missed all of this. I got Ripley spayed right at 6 months. Everything went great. I love your wilted flower description. That's so accurate! These gals are so strong. Not much slows them down. Good job, Mom. You did great too! Ripley was such a handful as a puppy that I told my husband matter-of-factly- if she has puppies, I will have a nervous breakdown. No guilt here!

I understand you getting emotional! These are our babies!! Ripley is my only baby so far (love her more and more everyday) Everyone gave great advice. The only thing I would have told you, would have been that after the surgery, I kept Ripley in her kennel for the rest of the evening after the surgery. I wanted to keep her with me, but she wandered around aimlessly when we got home and was much happier in her safe place.