Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. To Spay or Not to Spay 11 years old

To Spay or Not to Spay 11 years old

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Y

    I need some advice. My basenji is 11. I never had her spayed. I know….I should have... My vet refered to her uterus as a powder keg! She is in good health. Should I have it done now?

    0
  • S

    wow, I would listen to your vet.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • MacPackM

    Other countries feel differently about spaying/neutering, but I think many people here believe that ff you are not a breeder, there is no reason to keep those annoying reproductive organs that can potentially cause problems in later years. It does seem strange to take a perfectly healthy dog in for abdominal surgery, but I think the idea is to lessen the risk of mammary tumors and eliminate all the potential problems related to the uterus. If you are not comfortable, get a second opinion.

    Anne in Tampa, with all neutered dogs!

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

    0
  • tanzaT

    As long as she is healthly now, blood workup is good… I would have it done... but only after you have a full blood panel done and discuss with your Vet.....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • etzbsederE

    If she were younger, I would say absolutely, go for it if you are more comfortable, but I agree with Pat. Make sure she is in good health first. Although these are common surgeries, there are always risks, and failing health can make them worse.

    Michael Feldman
    Gilbert, AZ

    Chaverim Basenjis

    0
  • Y

    I'm new at this forum! Is this how I add to my own discussion?!

    First, thanks for the input!

    I believe my vets concern was pyometra. Her thought was better to have a scheduled surgery rather than an emergency surgery. It's a tough decision! I could do nothing and everything could go fine… or not. I could have the surgery and everything could go fine... or not.

    BIG SIGH......

    I can't decide!

    She (the dog) just had a dental 2 weeks ago and had to have 5 extractions but she's fine now.

    I thought if I posted my dilemma and got enough opinions I could make a better decision so PLEASE let me know what you think!

    Thanks so much

    GF

    0
  • S

    Ask the vet to do a senior blood planel, if its ok, then I would follow his advice and do this when the dog is healthy and there are no issues.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • tanzaT

    If she came through the dental with no problems, I would assume that they already did a blood workup?…. too bad they just didn't do the spay then.... and pyometra is always a big concern... for sure and yes it is better to have a scheduled surgery.... I would wait a month since she just had a dental and then have it done.... again discussing her blood panel... first... if she were mine, I would have it done.... all things being considered...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • Y

    OK…that's a good idea and a good place to start. If the bloodwork is good and it should be, (she had a work up before her dental), I'll go ahead and get it done. I am planning a vacation in Florida in February and my dog always travels with me. In the back of my mind I've been worried about a sudden problem hundreds of miles from my own vet. I get her bloodwork done A LOT! Her mother had Fanconi but so far we have dodged that bullet. THANK YOU! I'll let you know how it goes!
    GF

    0
  • lvossL

    If her bloodwork is good, I agree have it done. Every heat cycle they go through increases the risk of pyometra.

    0
  • Y

    Hi Again! I stopped at the vet today and made an appointment for next Wednesday. She (the dog) had blood work done several weeks ago and all is well but they will do it again the morning of the surgery. My vet is so wonderful….she knows my bond with my dog and is going to let me take her home at the end of the day instead of keeping her overnight. That was also a big part of my concern since we have never been apart one night since the day she was born. I know the dog would survive but I'm not sure I would! Anyway, thank you everyone. I will post again post surgery and let you all know how well it all worked out!

    0
  • tanzaT

    @yag113:

    Hi Again! I stopped at the vet today and made an appointment for next Wednesday. She (the dog) had blood work done several weeks ago and all is well but they will do it again the morning of the surgery. My vet is so wonderful….she knows my bond with my dog and is going to let me take her home at the end of the day instead of keeping her overnight. That was also a big part of my concern since we have never been apart one night since the day she was born. I know the dog would survive but I'm not sure I would! Anyway, thank you everyone. I will post again post surgery and let you all know how well it all worked out!

    That's great.. and honestly, I would never leave mine overnight after a spay (or neuter)… especially unless this is a ER Vet hospital, there is typically no one there overnight (as in human). If I had a Vet that insisted that they stay, I would be finding another Vet....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • Y

    Exactly how I feel. Fortunately I love my vets, it's a husband and wife and they have come to know how I am and always work with me. I have 2 goats and the husband does farm calls. I feel very lucky. I always take the staff chocolates and snacks just in case I feel the need to get obnoxious about something…they will placate me!
    Thanks again for the input. I adore my dog and it's very cool to talk to people who love basenjis!

    0
  • tanzaT

    @yag113:

    Exactly how I feel. Fortunately I love my vets, it's a husband and wife and they have come to know how I am and always work with me. I have 2 goats and the husband does farm calls. I feel very lucky. I always take the staff chocolates and snacks just in case I feel the need to get obnoxious about something…they will placate me!
    Thanks again for the input. I adore my dog and it's very cool to talk to people who love basenjis!

    Sounds like a great Vet practice!!! Let us know how the spay goes, I am sure she will do great!

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0

Suggested Topics

  • Tayda_LennyT

    11 year old basenji started to pee in crate but not elsewhere

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I have had ones with UTI hold because it hurts then let the flood gate open. I agree that only 3 times in a month makes a UTI not that likely... but there other things could be going on. Hopefully you figure it out soon.
  • ramseycleaR

    Blind, diabetic 11 year old Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    L
    Hi, I have had a similar problem with my (11-13? Y/O) Basenji female, Zeenie. She isn't blind but I know her vision isn't good. I know her blood sugar was somewhat abnormal at her last blood test, but like your dog, it was right after a seizure and I understand that is to be expected. Her first seizure was this past August and she has been to the vet several times for testing, etc. since. There is no conclusive diagnosis but 1/2 the dose of a 32.4 mcg pill of Phenobarbital twice daily (given religiously at 12 hour intervals) seems to eliminate the seizures altogether (knock on wood.) I don't know what our next step is. I know I don't want any thing invasive, but I also can't afford an MRI: maybe an EEG or CT scan? If there is anyone else out there with advice, that would be welcome. Anyway, if you need support or just want to vent or brainstorm together, please let me know. I am in NC in the US (EST.) and maybe we can exchange phone info later. Best of luck to you. I know how you feel. Lauma
  • Forever AmberF

    Spaying

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    R
    One of my brother's friend Wilson also faced the same situation in which you mentioned that A friend at work lost her dog last year during the procedure so I'm somewhat nervous. But I faced this I got result normal. I was doing my work. I was upset at the time because I had my work burden headache. But decided to go near the Vet for my animal treatment I appreciate the work of the Vet.
  • L

    Almost 2 years old, diagnosed with a neurological disorder today

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    10k Views
    wizardW
    What a great present! Hope he continues to get better.
  • N

    Spaying…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    QuercusQ
    @basenji_fan: I've never heard about breeders recommending waiting till they are over a yr old, that is something completely new :confused: :confused: there are other threads about this topic. A lot of breeders suggest waiting until about a year old, so that physically the dog is mature before the removal of the sex hormones. I would say *most breeders suggest between six months to a year is great. A lot of people would prefer that their bitch not go through a first heat cycle, and that their male not start lifting his leg…which can happen around six months old.
  • iluvmaliI

    Spaying

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    60
    0 Votes
    60 Posts
    20k Views
    QuercusQ
    @tanza: Well, I have to say that the fact that she way spayed early IMO has nothing to so with her being higher in the rear then the front.. Many Basenjis grow that way… and besides, she is a mix.. so I don't think you can really determine that... While she might have grown differently... again IMO I don't think that was the cause... or if it is maybe a little... However, I totally agree that her leaking urine is most likely due to the early spay... also (and I am NOT saying that this was true in her case or the Vets they used) but I have seen way to many bad spay/neuter jobs from the so called "low" cost clinics.... they treat them like an assembly line and in my opinion I have seen way to many problems coming from these places... For me, thanks, I will spend the money to make sure it is done right... Obviously things happen, but I 3 spayed bitches in the house ages 13, almost 15 and 16+, never have they have a problem with "leaking" due to them being spayed.... Granted they were done at 3 and 5yrs old... but again, from these so called low cost clinics, I have seen many a dog with problems. I agree with Pat here. I think the high in the rear is most likely attributed to her being half something else ;) But the dribbling…yes, probably due to a less than perfect spay...or early spay...BUT there are medications that you can give her to help with that.