Too Late to Spay?

Post on behalf of a friend. She has found an adorable little pit mix. After a week, no one has claimed the dog (dumping is very common in this area) and she wants to keep her. The dog is very cute, very sweet, and VERY pregnant.
Firend does not feel as if she is capable of whelping a litter, providing the proper care/socialization for one, or finding homes for the puppies. Pits and pit mixes are a dime a dozen here.
Her own vet feels that it is too late to spay the bitch without comprimising her health. The local spay/neuter place will do it, but they will do anything that isn't delivering right on the table.
"Libby" is estimated to be about 3/4 of the way through the pregnancy, but she is HUGE! I wouldn't be suprised to have her deliver 9 or 10 puppies.
None of the local shelters will take the pups when they are of age, except for animal control, where they will probably be PTS.
Is it too late to do and E-spay on Libby?

See if you can't get her into a rescue or private foster in another part of the state or country if possible. It probably would be best over all to do the late spay, but that makes even me feel pretty squicky.

Talk to your vet. My vet would probably do it. A friend of mine picked up a very pregnant stray cat and told him "Do the spay, and I don't wanna know about the kittens." He did because he knows how hard it is to find homes for stray cats, much less a whole litter of unwanted kittens.


You may have to call around, but I bet you could find a vet who would do the spay.

If the vet says it's too late, he is probably looking at the overall health of the dog, not just the fact that she's pregnant. If she was stray, it's probable that she's not in great health anyway, and maybe the vet feels that to spay her now would not be good because of that.

Then again, maybe he just doesn't want to take the risk of spaying a dog this late in the pregnancy.

This is a toughie, don't know what I would do.

Whelping a litter would be a lot harder on a bitch then a late spay. I think she should try and get it done somewhere. I would HATE to be in that situation though!

i think with the risk on an older dog with a large litter, if shes too late to spay/abort i would talk to the vet about the possibibility of prebooking a c-section, and plan to assist feeds

It is never too late to spay. The surgical procedure for a late spay is very similar to a c-section and any vet capable of performing c-sections is capable of doing late spays. Sometimes a vet will refuse to do a late spay due to poor health of the bitch. Sometimes they just say that because they disagree with the procedure for personal or ethical reasons.

The vet who declined the proceduce does not have to whelp, raise, and attempt to find homes for possibly a dozen puppies, your friend does. This is a HUGE responsibility and your friend realizes it. If I were in your friend's shoes, I would take Libby to a vet or clinic who will do the procedure. The sooner it is doen the sooner Libby will recover and enjoy her new life.

My best wishes.

I think the info has already been given

Sucky situation for your friend tho... Sending her 'be strong' vibes and a (hug)

Any updates??

Yes, actually. Friend did have Libby spay/aborted in the end. She signed extra papers releasing her vet from liabilty if Libby passed away during the procedure. The vet aborted 14 fetuses, so we are very glad that the procedure got done!
Libby is still in a little pain, but she is now in her forever home, recovering with her new mommy.
Thank you Chazzers, from both of us, for answering the questions and letting us know that it wasn't too late. Mine mind is boggling at the thought of poor Libby (who only weighs about 40lbs) trying to deliver and care for such a large litter.

14?!?!?

I'm so incredibly glad that Libby has found a good home now. I hope she's fully recovered very soon.

Wow that's a LOT of puppies...I'm glad she was able to do what was "right" for the dog.

oh my 14...

Well I was close when I said a dozen puppies. :yikes:

Seriously though I am thrilled Libby has a forever home with a caring, loving owner. Bless her for taking Libby in and giving her a new beginning.