Spaying a bitch with milk

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Julian Earl — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 13:12:40 GMT

I was taught not to do so but sometimes if one is not careful a smidgen of fluid can be expressed and it tends to persist for weeks afterwards. Therefore, don't do it as once speyed, then even Galastop seems ineffective.

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Christina Smith — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:44:27 GMT

I have inadvertendly spayed many bitches in metoestrus and of course nearly all cases that present as pyometra. 99% of the lactators have dried up without treatment. Watch out for self-sucklers or another dog in the house that helps itself - those lactate ad infinitum even with prolactin inhibitor drugs. I would second the others re hyperplasia v genuine lactation

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Elisabeth Knappett — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:24:09 GMT

[quote user="Cat Henstridge"]Delvosterone at the time of the op? Or pre-operatively?[/quote]

Pre-operatively with surgery planned days to weeks later - can't remember the exact timing, sorry, but I know the vet advice line were very helpful with protocol! Do remember that you can't use it where the bitch in question has already been treated with oestrogens/progesterone for current pseudopreg. Also remember that the tissues were more friable and oozy than usual, possibly just due to phantom vs meds.

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:23:54 GMT

It might also be worth checking (apologies if you have) but is the owner mixing normal mammary development after first season (i.e. Bigger nipples etc) as still having milk? Also I tend to tell the owners to make sure they are rubbing the bitch's tummy too much as it encourages continued supply.

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Lindsey Edwards — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:17:02 GMT

As said above - even neuters after section dry up! If it is predominantly swelling I would go ahead and neuter without any hesitation. Would be cautious about delvosterone but ifyou are ging to be neutering shortly after then it shouldn't create significant complications

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Cat Henstridge — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:14:13 GMT

[quote user="Elisabeth Knappett"]

Have also used delvosterone in situations where neutering will happen and non-responsive to galastop with good success.

[/quote]

Delvosterone at the time of the op? Or pre-operatively?

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:06:40 GMT

[quote user="Elisabeth Knappett"]I've had one or two that we've spayed while still presenting with a small amount of serous discharge, which has dried up and no post-op issues, but have heard tell of situations where active pseudopregnancies have continued after neuter - never seen one. Have also used delvosterone in situations where neutering will happen and non-responsive to galastop with good success.[/quote]

Also we quite happily neuter bitches at the same time as a caesarian, they suckle the pups as normal and then the milk dries up.

RE: Spaying a bitch with milk

Elisabeth Knappett — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:04:04 GMT

I've had one or two that we've spayed while still presenting with a small amount of serous discharge, which has dried up and no post-op issues, but have heard tell of situations where active pseudopregnancies have continued after neuter - never seen one. Have also used delvosterone in situations where neutering will happen and non-responsive to galastop with good success.

Could it be hypertrophy (similar to cat) which needs the patient spaying to resolve? Must confess, never heard/seen it in a dog, but did in a 5 month old queen and it was impressive! No milk though...