Spaying

[Patch & Ella's mum]

Patch and Ella are being spayed on Monday, they will be 18 weeks old. I was wonderng if anyone has any ideas on how to limit the zoomies and keep them a bit quiet after their operation. Their latest favourite thing is to jump onto the trampolene.

[Inquisitive Snoop]

Keeping a Whippet quiet is next to impossible. The vet will probably give you pain medication in addition to antibiodics - the pain meds should quiet them down a bit. When Bonnie was spayed I crated her for the first 5 days only letting her out to go potty by herself - you should have heard the other 7 crying. It is important that they remain quiet - they could bust a stitch or worse - internal bleeding - so quiet it is the only way to go. Put the trampolene away until they get their stitches removed. Good luck with the surgery - which should be fine -- and with the keeping them quiet.

BTW, 18 weeks is a little young to be spayed since they aren't even 5 months old. I usually spay mine at 6 months.

[Patch & Ella's mum]

Thank you, yes I was planning to move the trampolene, and the rocking chair that they love to leap over. Crating them is an excellent idea, I didn't even think of that. Over here they spay from 12 weeks on, so this is considered quite a normal age. My cat was done at the same age.

Thanks again for the advice

[Tigger and Kira's Mom]

Over here they spay from 12 weeks on, so this is considered quite a normal age. My cat was done at the same age.

Juvenile spay/neuter is done here also, especially on animals in shelters, but is quite controversial. Many believe it is beneficial to allow the dogs to get closer to physical maturity before altering them. Some Whippets become taller or more "leggy" if altered very young. Anyway, if you are going to have it done now, hope everything goes well.

Lois

[Patch & Ella's mum]

The operation went well for both of them and they are recovering really well. I had Patch's skin checked and the poor baby has mites. The Vet says he may have an undevloped immune system, but we can't give him the wash treatment fully until his stitches are out.

My pups are couch whippets and although pure bred, not pedigreed. The male was and I was told the female was as well. The sad news is the female has come back into season. so I gather another litter may soon follow.