Diet and Health – Page 3

Spaying or neutering your dogs is one of the most important things you can do for their health. Spaying or neutering can prevent serious illnesses such as tumors, prostate problems, or urine infections. It can also combat common behavioral problems such as incontinence or humping. However, many chihuahua owners are afraid of taking in their pets for a spay or neuter. Chihuahuas are tiny, so many owners worry about the impact surgery will have on their pets. The good news is that chihuahuas are stronger than they look. For most of them, spaying or neutering is a routine procedure that can improve their quality of life. As long as you follow these guidelines, your chihuahua should be safe. Talk to a veterinarian before any procedures to ensure your dog’s safety. When Should You Spay a Chihuahua? When to spay a chihuahua depends on a few different factors. The first is their sexual maturity. Most veterinarians recommend spaying dogs before they become sexually mature, which in female chihuahuas happens when they experience their first heat. Some chihuahuas go into heat as soon as they are four months old, so spaying should happen as soon as possible. Spaying any dogs before they reach sexual maturity helps prevent mammary cancer later in life. Spaying a chihuahua before it experiences heat at all can prevent breast cancer completely. Even if your chihuahua has already experienced a few heats, if you spay it before it is two years old, that will still decrease its risk of mammary cancer. However, that does not mean that you should spay your chihuahua as early as possible. Spaying can stunt their growth and has been linked to joint problems in some breeds. Thus, the best time to spay a chihuahua is before it reaches sexual maturity, but after it has had some time to grow. That does not mean that if you get your chihuahua later in its life or could not spay it before its first heat that there is no point in spaying it. The surgery can still prevent some cancers and improve its quality of life even if your chihuahua is already a fully-grown adult. At What Age Should You Spay a Chihuahua? The best chihuahua spay age is six months, which is veterinarian-recommended for most breeds. This gives the dog enough time to grow so that surgery is not dangerous while preventing health problems that arise when a chihuahua reaches sexual maturity. Always talk to a veterinarian before making the final decision because what is right for most chihuahuas might not be right for yours. Some chihuahuas need to be spayed earlier if they experience their first heat earlier, while others may need more time to grow. Spaying is also beneficial for dogs later in life if they could not get the surgery earlier for whatever reason. When Should You Neuter a Chihuahua? When deciding when to neuter a chihuahua, there are a few different factors at play than when deciding when to spay. Male chihuahuas do not show the same signs of sexual maturity as females do. For example, they do not go into heat, so there is no rush to neuter before they start attracting amorous dogs. However, there are other reasons why neutering your chihuahua earlier is a good idea. Neutering can stop aggressive behaviors caused by the prevalence of testosterone and other hormones and prevent prostate issues. Waiting too long to neuter your chihuahua can also cause it to develop a fear response, which occurs in most puppies after they are six months old. This can cause lasting behavioral issues as your chihuahua may develop an aversion to the veterinarian or hospital. The best time to neuter a chihuahua is after they finish their puppy vaccines but before they enter their second fear development stage. At What Age Should You Neuter a Chihuahua? Most veterinarians recommend neutering your chihuahua when it is around six months old. This is the best chihuahua neutering age because it is hardy enough to withstand the surgery, but it is early enough to prevent future health and behavioral issues. How Much Does Spaying a Chihuahua Cost? For all breeds, spaying is more expensive than neutering because it is a more invasive surgery. An average spay can cost up to $200. However, you could wind up paying more if there are any complications, if your dog has pre-existing health conditions, or if it is in heat or pregnant. The good news is that some clinics offer low-cost spays in partnership with the ASPCA for qualifying pet owners that can cost as little as $50. You are also saving money by owning a chihuahua, as a chihuahua spay cost is much lower than it is for bigger breeds. How Much Does Neutering a Chihuahua Cost? Neutering a chihuahua usually costs up to $150. It is less expensive than spaying because it is a less invasive, less complicated surgery. The neutering spay cost will vary depending on the clinic that you go to and if you are eligible for any payment relief programs. How Can You Help a Chihuahua Recover After a Spay? Most spays take a total of seven to ten days to recover. During the first day, your dog may be sleepy or lethargic because of the effects of the anesthesia, but those should wear off soon. Provide your dog with plenty of food and water even if it is not interested in eating at first to help with recovery. The most important thing is to keep the incision site clean and protected. Check it at least once a day for any redness or swelling. If you notice something unusual, call your vet immediately because it could be a sign of an infection. Most veterinarians will give you specific instructions for what you should do during the chihuahua spay recovery. If yours forgets, don’t be shy about asking any questions since you need to be well informed to help your dog. Your veterinarian should also schedule a check-up about a week after surgery to ensure your chihuahua is recovering properly. How Can You Help a Chihuahua Recover After a Neuter? Although neutering is a less invasive surgery than spaying, the recovery period can be more difficult because the incision is all external. Most dogs need 10 to 14 days to recover. During the recovery period, make sure that your chihuahua stays calm since running or strenuous exercise could tear the stitches. You should also avoid baths because getting the stitches wet will damage them. After about 10 days, your veterinarian will remove the stitches. If you notice any complications during your chihuahua’s neuter recovery, such as swelling or discomfort, call your veterinarian. Some vets may even prescribe pain medication. Should You Spay Your Chihuahua or Not? Unless your chihuahua has a health condition that makes it difficult for it to have surgery, most veterinarians will agree that you should spay your chihuahua. Desexing is particularly important for female dogs as it prevents a few painful, deadly health conditions such as mammary, ovarian, or uterine cancer. Spaying your dog before it is sexually mature could eliminate the risk for these cancers. Besides the health benefits, spaying your chihuahua can also improve behavioral issues. Chihuahuas in heat are often difficult to manage. Some can even become aggressive or change their personality entirely due to the hormones. That’s before even considering the mess that a dog’s heat causes all over the house as well as the unwanted attention from male dogs when you are on walks. Spaying your chihuahua can also reduce the number of unwanted dogs out there. As always when it comes to major surgery, talk to your veterinarian before deciding whether to go forward with a chihuahua spay or not. However, for most dogs spaying is the best choice. Is it Safe to Neuter a Chihuahua? While individual chihuahuas may have health issues that make neutering complicated, overall, desexing a chihuahua is perfectly safe and will only benefit their health. Despite their small size, chihuahuas cope well with anesthesia. That is because each dose is calibrated precisely to a dog’s weight, breed, and other factors, so they are in no more danger than a Great Dane during surgery. Chihuahuas are also safe from complications that other dogs may experience if they are neutered too early. While some breeds experience joint problems, a study found that there was no correlation between joint and skeletal issues and neutering for chihuahuas. Neutering can prevent some health issues such as prostate problems, anal tumors, and hernias. Desexing Your Chihuahuas Most of the stories floating around about how spaying or neutering is dangerous for chihuahuas are only myths. Chihuahuas are just as capable as bigger dogs of withstanding surgery and anesthesia. They also reap many of the benefits of desexing, such as better behavior and a decreased risk for certain cancers. When in doubt, talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s case. However, for most chihuahuas, the benefits of early desexing outweigh the risks.