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My older rescue dog needs spaying. What are the risks and is it safe?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 9 lbs

Fiffy is a bit old are there any risks to spaying her ? I found her on the street so I wasn't able to spay her younger as I just met her not long ago.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 22nd, 2017

Hello. It is nice that Fiffy now has a home with someone so caring. Risks of spaying include risk of anaesthesia, risks of infection and wound break-down after surgery, as well as bleeding in surgery. Risks of not spaying Fiffy include increased risks of cancers, HIGH RISK of pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus that requires emergency surgery to correct), and pregnancy (which in an older dog can be life-threatening). I feel that unless there are medical conditions determined on physical exam prior to surgery that would suggest that she is unstable for anaesthesia, spaying her is less risky than waiting and possibly having an emergency surgery later on. Have a veterinarian perform a complete physical examination on Fiffy, and bloodwork prior to surgery to rule out any underlying disease, and if that is all normal I would recommend having Fiffy spayed.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    How great of you to want to spay Fiffy! I'm not sure how old she is, but older dogs can be spayed safely. I would have her seen by a vet to have a physical exam, blood tests, and urinalysis. Using these tests, the vet can determine her anesthetic risk for surgery (please keep in mind that any surgery carries a risk), and can discuss spaying her with you.

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