Would you put a 12yr old through a spey?

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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Vet has requested that the bitch (mothers collie x) needs to be speyed as recently been diagnosed with diabetes. She's had hormone issues recently, and is currently not comfortable and we need to help her... BUT, is 12 too old? She'll be put onto medication asap, which should help, but which way would you go?
Medication.
Spey and medication.
PTS
Moss is otherwise bright for her age, and very fit. Loves her walks.
 
As Umbongo says. Un neutered bitches can have all sorts of problems getting stabilised on insulin, so will be better for her and you to get her speyed.
 
As opposed as I am generally to the neutering of dogs, considering that she's a much loved pet, and importantly, that she's otherwise bright and active for her age, then yes, I probably would have her spayed.

That said, I would keep a very close eye on her and should it have any unwanted side-effects, then I wouldn't allow her to regress and suffer and I'd take what I'd believe was the right route for the dog, considering that I'd done my best for her.

Alec.
 
I would if she were otherwise fit and healthy, there is more risks of life threatening conditions like pyo if she is left entire.
 
She was 'done' last week. All went ok, she put herself on hunger strike though, and lost an alarming amount of weight. She wasn't big to start! All a bit worried, but she ate her dinner last night with more enthusiasm, so fingers crossed she continues to improve. Her bloods are getting better too.
 
My springer was off her food for a couple of days too. Soon back to ravenous! I was hoping her metabolism might have slowed a bit
 
Not great news.
She is eating a bit better, but not overly keen. Tried various meats, fish, chicken, cheese and can't guarantee she'll eat. It's little and often. Bloods have improved again, which is great, but for some reason she is still losing weight and being lethargic. She was 20kg at the time of the spey, now 17.6kg. We're getting worried.
 
I hope she takes a turn for the best, but 12 can be an old dog sometimes, we hope they will all live to 15+ but some times that just isn't meant to be.
 
Has she had a post op vet check recently? Diabeties can affect the rate of healing in wounds, this as well as the diabetes may be affecting her appetite? Also being a bit older may have affected her recovery too. Hope she picks up soon.
 
She's due back at the vets on Friday again. Monitoring her glucose levels in her wee is another issue. The vet assured us she would be clear, but we were worried and got a sample which indeed does show glucose.
I'm going to leave my old whippet x with mum, who eats anything! Hoping it will encourage moss to eat more?

What foods do people recommend to give a bit more 'go/get fat'?
 
It's old fashioned and probably not the best food but tinned chappie or you can get veterinary prescription diets of tinned Id or sensitivity control.
Sardines in sunflower oil if she likes fish. Scrambled egg. Chicken and rice or white fish. Turkey mince of minced beef.
 
Sandstone1 said:
It's old fashioned and probably not the best food but tinned chappie or you can get veterinary prescription diets of tinned Id or sensitivity control.
Sardines in sunflower oil if she likes fish. Scrambled egg. Chicken and rice or white fish. Turkey mince of minced beef.
Click to expand...

Chappie is good at tempting them to eat. Hope she feels better soon OP.
 
On the verge of calling it a day. So sad.
Dog eats well every few days at best. In between she doesn't want to know. Started weeing constantly early this morning, turning into bloody wee. Back to the vets. Got a wee infection now, and more sugar in her blood. Going to be on tablets asap and start insulin next week. Dog down to 16kg. Looks very thin.
Need all the help and vibes going.
 
You may find the insulin completely turns her around. We looked after a dog in Feb who'd recently been diagnosed with diabetes. The improvement from diagnosis to the start of treatment was really quick - and the improvement during the two weeks he was with us was remarkable.
 
Fools Motto said:
On the verge of calling it a day. So sad.
Dog eats well every few days at best. In between she doesn't want to know. Started weeing constantly early this morning, turning into bloody wee. Back to the vets. Got a wee infection now, and more sugar in her blood. Going to be on tablets asap and start insulin next week. Dog down to 16kg. Looks very thin.
Need all the help and vibes going.
Click to expand...

Accepting that some anaesthetics seem to have a residual affect in that recovery can also take time, it sounds suspiciously as though the poor girl is reacting badly to what is invasive and for her system, probably upsetting surgery.

The worry about her weight loss would (or should!) be linked to her body score before her declining health and surgery. If she was a bit chubby and she's lost some weight, then that may not in reality be harmful to her. If however she was, for a 12 year old dog, in good health and body condition, then her continued weight loss would be an indication that her recovery may never be complete. She's your dog, you will know her best, you sound entirely sensible and realistic and so it will be your choice whether you continue or you give in and let her go. Obviously I don't know your vet, but all too many will give us false hope when there's none. That would also be a choice for you to make.

Despite the above and the gloom of it all, I really do hope that she starts to pick-up soon and that my doom-mongering is proved to be wrong. Do please keep us informed and Good Luck.

Alec.
 
She has diabetes and a uti.
The uti is caused by the excessive sugar in her urine due to the unregulated diabetes.Until that is regulated she continue to lose weight due to the diabetes as thats how the disease works her cells are starving and cannot get glucose in without the right amount of insulin to carry it through the system.
Unless her blood sugar is regulated she will go blind.
Sadly its likely all related to her medical condition not her spey.
Its one of those horrible diseases that takes a hugh amount of effort to manage and any changes(infections seasons)completely unbalances the entire system which is why a spey is one of the requirement for trying to treat this disease.unspeyed animals rarely regulate.

Once the uti is dealt with she should eat better. Diabetics usually feel ravenously hungry because their body knows its starving metabolically so I suspect its the uti has her feeling off food.
Once you get her insulin nadir and exact amount of insulin and life regime down -feed and exercise at exact times etc,life should be a lot easier.
If shes still not regulating after being spey other conditions like cushings should be checked for.

Good luck OP

Do you know why shes hasnt been placed on insulin yet? Thats very strange....they usually are started as soon as diagnosed...regardless of operations etc.
She will continue to lose weight until the insulin is started as her body is starving....has she been checked for ketones etc? It sounds like you have a diabetes management problem, she could be heading into diabetes ketoacidosis which wouldn't be idea and make her feel very miserable..I would push for insulin asap! It makes no sense to leave it this long when shes showing all thr signs of deperately needing it.
 
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