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Does spaying my dog increase cancer risk, like hemangiosarcoma?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 years and 2 months old | 4 lbs

Does spaying really increase the chance of get hemangiosarcoma? Like have you seen a peak of this & other bad things in spayed dogs? Time is getting closer & i dont want to make the wrong decision

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 15th, 2018

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Precious. Spaying removes the risk of uterine cancer or a uterine infection. It decreases the risk of mammary cancer up until the fourth heat cycle. Females rottweilers that are spayed before 1 year of age have an increased risk of osteosarcoma, but that is the only associated that seems credible. I have not seen an increase in hemangiosarcoma in spayed dogs. I hope this information helps!

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on April 13th, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I only treat cancer cases and unfortunately see a fair amount of dogs with hemangiosarcoma. The evidence that hemangiosarcoma is more prevalent in spayed dogs is rather weak and likely a result of how the studies were performed. I would recommend you proceed with the spay mostly because it decreases the risk of mammary cancer and prevents pyometra. Good luck and have a great day!

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 14th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer seen most often in large breed dogs like German Shepherds, Golden retrievers, labs and large mix breeds. I do not think all the evidence is there to say that spaying or neutering CAUSES cancer. I think spaying Precious is a personal decision for you. Everything in life comes with risk, you need to weigh which risks you are willing to take. Ultimately it is absolutely fine if you do not want to spay her as long as the risk of an infected uterus is a risk you can accept. However small it is. Have a great weekend!

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 16th, 2018

    There are the usual risks associated with any general anesthesia procedure; which includes complications from surgery like infection, irregular heart beats and apnea. Surgical complications are rare in hospitals that follow standardized protocols and constant monitoring of the patient while under. Ask your vet about the protocols and safety measures that they take for their patients, so that you have a better understanding of the care she is going to receive there. This will hopefully give you some peace of mind. Take care!

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Related Questions

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Health & Wellbeing
Is the increased risk for hemangiosarcoma after spaying only for large breed dogs? I don’t want to risk precious getting it & it’s really scary
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer seen most often in large breed dogs like German Shepherds, Golden retrievers, labs and large mix breeds. I do not think all the evidence is there to say that spaying or neutering CAUSES cancer. I think spaying Precious is a personal decision for you. Everything in life comes with risk, you need to weigh which risks you are willing to take. Ultimately it is absolutely fine if you do not want to spay her as long as the risk of an infected uterus is a risk you can accept. However small it is. Have a great weekend!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
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Is the increased risk for hemangiosarcoma after spaying only for large breed dogs? I don’t want to risk precious getting it & it’s really scary
The only studies i am aware of have been in the largerbreed dogs such as retrievers, rottis and viszlas, selected due to increased incidence. The study numbers are quite small and this can create statistical bias in itself. It is not thought these results are directly comparable between breeds which do not show similar levels of the diseases in question but much more research is required before all factors are understood.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Does spaying actually increase the risk of developing hemangiosarcoma? Or decrease lifespan? I know the risk of a small breed getting it is relatively low & id like to keep it that way. Also, i would like her to have a longer & healthy life as well.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I only treat cancer cases and unfortunately see a fair amount of dogs with hemangiosarcoma. The evidence that hemangiosarcoma is more prevalent in spayed dogs is rather weak and likely a result of how the studies were performed. I would recommend you proceed with the spay mostly because it decreases the risk of mammary cancer and prevents pyometra. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
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She's scared of her being too dependant and stuff. She says how my cousin's dog wasn't spayed and lived a long life but her dog had cancer and died.
Being spayed doesn't make a dog dependent. In addition, not being spayed doesn't guarantee a long life. Dogs who haven't been spayed are prone to cancer just like dogs who are spayed. In facts, dogs who are spayed before their first heat are at a significant less risk over developing mammary cancer than dogs who are spayed after the first heat (0.8% vs 8%) and after their second heat (0.8% vs 25%). In Bella's case, however, she would still have a 25% chance of developing mammary cancer because if she is spayed, she will have had at least two heats. In my professional opinion, it's best to have a dog spayed if you aren't going to breed her. It prevents her from developing a pyometra, it keeps her from accidentally getting pregnant, it eliminates the often annoying behaviors that occur when a dog's in heat, it saves you from dealing with male dogs who want to mate with Bella, and it eliminates the mess and small from a dog in heat.
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My dog is fixing to be four years old and I had to have her mom put to sleep this week because of Brest Cancer. I want to know what is the best thing I can do to be sure she doesn't get it ?
First off, I'm very sorry that you had to put your dog to sleep this week. Please accept my condolences for your loss. As for Eveegrace, dogs who aren't spayed have a 25% chance of developing mammary tumors (breast cancer). With mammary tumors, 50% are malignant and 50% are benign. Unfortunately it's too late to do anything to prevent it from happening. If you had spayed her before her first heat, then she would only have a 0.8% chance of developing mammary tumors later in life. Even if you spay her now, she still has a 25% chance of developing them. You can prevent future dogs of yours from getting it by getting them spayed before their first heat. In terms of Eveegrace, the best thing you can do is monitor the area for signs of swelling and tumors. Any lump you find, take her into the vet as soon as possible to get it diagnosed. If it's malignant, have it removed surgically if possible. I'm sorry I don't have better news for you. Again, please accept my condolences for yo
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Hello, I have a Rottweiler named Bella. She is 6yrs old. She has not been fixed. She has a knot in her breast about this size of a balled up piece of notebook paper but more egg shaped and the knot is lumpy. She doesn't act like it hurts when I touch
Hi there! Unfortunately, yes - from your description, I would be very concerned that she may have a mammary tumor. This is a very common problem in middle-aged and older intact females. If it is a mammary tumor, there is about a 50% chance of it being malignant (cancerous), so I would definitely recommend having this checked by a veterinarian as soon as you can. He/she can discuss options for biopsy or surgical removal of the mass.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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What are the negatives of having an unspayed female dog (other than bleeding) ? Thanks for the help
Hi again! Thanks for your question. Negatives of having an unsprayed female (intact female) are uterine infections (pyometra) which can be fatal, mammary cancers, ovarian tumors, and a shorter life span because of the development of these issues. One other negative is an undesired pregnancy. Hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hello :D My female pitbull is almost 8years old, she is not spayed, and always does 'false pregnancy' Lately, she has a swallen tit, the vet says he can feel a tumor, and his plan was : i spay her next week and 1 month after he removes the tumor. Is
Yes, it is most likely mammary (breast) cancer. Very common to happen in dogs that are not spayed. That is why we recommended spaying dogs early in life. 1. I suggest you find a vet that will do both surgeries at once. There is no sense in doing two surgeries a month apart. They can both be done safely at the same time in most cases. She may be one of those cases that the mass is extensive and that is why your vet does not want to do them at the same time. I don't know since I have not examined her myself but in most cases I would do both surgeries together. Just my opinion. 2. You need to get her spayed, even at 8 years old. If you don't, then she may end up with more mammary tumors or a pyometra or she may pass away. Yes, a blood test before the spay is indicated absolutely. 3. It should not change her much. If you don't do it then she can certainly die just like a person with breast cancer so you really have no option but to have it done. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hey, sissy is 6 years old and the other day I was feeling around and I felt a hard pea sized lump in her breast. It doesn't move and it seems like here lately she's been howling and whining more until I come to her besides that she acts the same as a
Unspayed female dogs are very prone to mammay masses. About 50% of these are benign and 50% can be malignant. I would recommend having the mass removed and have her spayed at the same time. Good luck and I hope she does well! Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Can I spay my 5 year old Pomeranian? Also, is her risk of complications increased because of her age?
Yes - you can and should if you don’t plan to breed Rosie! There is not an increased risk for complications with anesthesia. If she is in heat there is an increased risk for bleeding but most veterinarians recommend waiting until after the heat cycle to spay.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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