What Are the Risks of Spaying During Heat?

Spaying your female dog or cat protects against unplanned breeding, and it can help reduce the potential for some reproductive health issues. However, spaying while a pet is in heat, or estrus, can result in increased bleeding and the chance of hemorrhage.

  1. Bleeding Potential

    • When an animal goes into heat, bloodflow to the reproductive organs intensifies. According to Dr. Wendy Brooks' Mar Vista Animal Medical Center website, this can increase the risk of hemorrhage, or heavy bleeding, during surgery. Cats are less susceptible to the condition than dogs. If your pet has an underlying medical condition or issue, hemorrhage can lead to additional complications of major organ systems.

    Longer Hospital Stay

    • Most cats and dogs can go home the same day they are spayed. An animal who experiences increased bleeding during surgery generally must stay hospitalized longer than one whose procedure was normal, and animals with separation anxiety may experience distress because of the extended boarding time. A longer clinic stay can also add to your vet bill, especially if it falls on a weekend or holiday when the animal hospital would normally be closed.

    Consult Your Vet

    • Talk to your vet about the most appropriate age to spay your dog or cat to avoid the risk of accidentally spaying during heat. If you are unsure of an animal̵7;s age and find her going through a heat cycle, ask your vet about the best length of time to wait before proceeding with the surgery. It can be challenging to live with an animal in heat, but waiting will help you reduce potential problems.

    Reduce Operational Risks

    • Have a full physical exam conducted on your pet before scheduling a spay procedure. This can help identify underlying health issues that could cause complications on the operating table. Talk with your vet about after-care procedures before the day of surgery to ensure you know what to expect for your pet once you get her home.

    Follow-Up

    • If your pet was spayed while in heat and had a hemorrhage, your vet will advise you on after-care and observation to ensure there are no post-op complications. According to the ASPCA, in general, swelling, extreme redness, pus discharge or bleeding, nausea or vomiting are causes for concern and should be reported to your vet right away.