Advice needed on spaying, teeth and stress

[Sus]

Would love some advice or opinions on things I am concerned about
I have a 9 yr old small dog who is getting better all the time but is still very nervous, stressed and scared
She had 12 teeth out in Sep last year and I swore after that experience I would never put her through anaesthetic again unless it was a life or death situation
On a recent visit to the vet for check up I was told that tartare was starting to build up again and as she will not allow me to clean her teeth they advised plaque up which i have been sprinkling on her food
Since then Flobo a really helpfull member on here recommended Bach flower remedies for stress which I am trying.
This has to be added to her food so have stopped the Plaque Off but found a chew, Purina Dentalife that she will actually chew on. She has ignored all others. Will this be a decent substitute for plaque Off?
Finally, she is 9 yrs old and not been spayed and the vet recommended it be done but I refused as I did not want her to have anaesthetic again. Previously She had an injection, I assume that was some kind of contraception similar to the Pill but I have read that there are side effects so I did not have that done either as she is never outside without me and is always on a lead
Since then she has been in season and I do not think I can cope with it again.
It was far messier than I ever imagined and went on for longer than I thought. I threw out so many pillow cases and sheets that I do not want to go through that again
Is there anything else I can do?
Sorry for the long thread but thought put all problems in one post

 

[JudyN]

I'm not an expert by any means, but have a couple of thoughts:

Have you tried giving her raw bones to benefit her remaining teeth? Chicken wings may be ideal. If she's not keen, sometimes searing them briefly in a pan will release the chicken aromas enough to convert her.

Also, have you looked at dog period pants? I don't know if they run a risk of infections, but you have to weigh that against the other options, i.e. surgery, injection side-effects or the mess. Alternatively, maybe stock up on pillow cases, sheets, blankets, etc. from charity shops and use them for the duration.

 

[Hemlock]

I agree that suitable raw bones should help her teeth. Do ask if you want to know more.

I never had any of my bitches spayed after the first one, which was a disaster as she became incontinent (quite a common side-effect I discovered the hard way). The anaesthetic concerns are also to be considered. I keep a type of dog that tends to die under anaesthetic, and not all vets/vet nurses are aware of this, and some even make out that the owner is being stupid. I had a different dog die under anaesthetic after I'd warned the vet, who poo-pooed me and then killed my dog "by accident". So I absolutely understand your concerns, and although many bitches are spayed with no ill effects at all and it's a good choice for many owners, as you already have concerns, you are being careful. Whatever you decide is your choice.

I'm not keen on covering the vulva as It's my opinion (not to say right or wrong - just my opinion) that fresh air has to get to it. Some bitches are messier than others; mine kept themselves so clean you'd never have thought they were in season. As yours doesn't (she might well next time) it's just a case of keeping her out of parts of the house you don't want spillage in, and covering floors with sheets or towels or vetbed or similar, as I expect you have been doing.

Watch out for pyometra. My own vet (who doesn't spay his bitches either) says it's much less common than we are led to believe, and as long as the dog is properly cared for (I'm sure yours is) and exercised in a safe environment, it's only a small risk.

 

[Sus]

Thanks for your replies Judy and Hemlock, I am going to try the raw bones for her teeth, the vet and the nurse told me not to use chicken bones for fear of shards breaking off? I thought if they were raw that this did not happen. I will try her with a beef bone first to see how she gets on. I have a local butcher who will keep bones for me

That is a good idea about sheets etc from charity shops. Will stock up on them straight away. I am lucky in the fact that she always settles down in one of her 3 beds which are spread out about the house rather than on the furniture or carpet so the mess is contained to her beds. I will let it happen again and see how I feel, am sure that I will be happier using old bedding from charities rather than my own, also I am wondering if it was bad that first time because she has come off contraception. I will wait and see what happens and just hope that it is not as bad as last time

 

[Hemlock]

Raw chicken bones are fine - it's the cooked ones that splinter. Make sure there is meat around the bones, which will have a cushioning effect.

Not sure what "contraception" was used for your dog. If it was a drug or injection, these can take a while to get over.

 

[excuseme]

I have had female dogs all of my life, my first I bought when I was 17 years, I am 73 now.
I have never had any of them spayed and I have never had any problems with Pyometra.


.

 

[Tinytom]

I've just bought some puff dried chickens feet (they were free range ) and they lasted the boys ages....

 

[RGC]

I've just bought some puff dried chickens feet (they were free range ) and they lasted the boys ages....

How were the subsequent motions? Is there a brand name? I’m interested (well, Mabel would be). Are they oily? Thanks.

 

[Tinytom]

How were the subsequent motions? Is there a brand name? I’m interested (well, Mabel would be). Are they oily? Thanks.

Poo was fine ...not greasy ...they love them ...

 

[JoanneF]

You can buy these in bulk too.

Puffed Chicken Feet (1kg bags & 5kg boxes)

 

[RGC]

Poo was fine ...not greasy ...they love them ...View attachment 111980876

Thanks for that, Tinytom. Very kind.

 

[RGC]

…..and thank you, JoanneF. What kind people you all are. Bit of a clumsy sentence there. Wouldn’t you agree, JudyN?

 

[JudyN]

…..and thank you, JoanneF. What kind people you all are. Bit of a clumsy sentence there. Wouldn’t you agree, JudyN?

But 'You are all kind people' is a bit boring, and if you spoke the words your intonation would make it sound much more natural

 

[RGC]

Mea culpa.

 

[Hanne]

I cover the furniture with cheap washable blankets when my dog is in season. She does keep herself clean. On the "worst" days-in her case they are mostly in the second week- I once tried to make her wear a pair of cheap but soft cotton underpants with a hole cut out for her tail at night. She would manage to remove them within 3 minutes to be able to clean herself so I gave it up. Hope you find a way that suits you both!