Spay Risks & Rewards in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs INTRODUCTION
Bulldog and French bulldog spaying is one of the most common surgical procedures customers inquire about, and in most veterinary hospitals, it is the #1 surgery performed for female pets.
- When is the ideal time to spay my bulldog or French bulldog?
- What are the health benefits of spaying a female bulldog?
- What are the risks?
- When is the ideal age?
- Should my bully have a litter of puppies first?
All those questions and concerns are valid and should be considered in your decision.
Is My Bulldog Spaying Concerns Fact Base?
There are many spaying concerns of which the most common ones are anesthetic risk, obesity, and behavioral changes
1. SHOULD I NOT SPAY MY BULLDOG DUE TO ANESTHETIC RISKS?
Many English bulldog and French bulldog owners are most concerned about the spaying anesthetic risks and, thus, are reluctant to elect for the procedure. Complications and even tragic outcomes during or after an elective procedure are indeed more likely in brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced breeds) due to their unique airway and respiratory conditions.
Bulldog Spay Anesthetic Risk Concern:
Q: “Dr. Kraemer, does the anesthetic risk to my bulldog outweigh the benefits of spaying” ❓
A: While anesthesia always carries some inherent risks, these risks can be significantly reduced with proper precautions and expertise.
Brachycephalic breeds, such as bulldogs, present unique challenges due to issues like airway obstruction (BOAS).
However, with careful planning, the right protocols, and experienced professionals, spaying can be performed safely, even for these breeds.
Selecting the appropriate anesthetic protocol and maintaining careful monitoring are crucial steps in ensuring the safety of your bulldog.
Conclusion: The risk versus reward of any anesthetic procedure should always be discussed thoroughly with your veterinarian, especially for bulldogs.
To learn more about bulldog and French bulldog anesthetic safety click HERE
🚨The risk/reward should be discussed with any bulldog anesthetic procedure
2. WILL MY BULLDOG GAIN WEIGHT AFTER SPAYING?
Many of the alleged weight-gain risks associated with spaying bulldog puppies are myths.
Q: “Dr. Kraemer, will my French bulldog gain unhealthy weight if I spay her”❓
A: Bulldog obesity and weight gain are less about the spaying procedure and more about:
- Lifestyle
- Improper feeding
- Too many calories
- Inadequate physical activity
3. WILL SPAYING MY BULLDOG CHANGE HER BEHAVIOR?
Another spaying myth is its effect on your bulldog and French bulldog personality and behaviors
- Temperament
- Attitude
- Disposition
Q: “Dr. Kraemer I was told that my bulldog’s sweet demeanor would change if I spayed her.”❓
A: There are no medical or clinical research studies that support those claims.
The best way to keep your bulldog sound and fit is to offer her:
- SOCIALIZATION: Socialize your bulldogs at a young age.
- PLAYTIME: Allow your bulldogs sufficient playtime.
- STIMULI: Offer them stimulus by challenging play.
- LOVE & CARE: it goes without saying, that you provide a healthy dose of love and care.
Those are the true essentials for ultimate bully physique and intelligence.
Bulldog Rescue and Spaying:
Dr. Kraemer has a long-standing collaborative relationship with Bulldog Rescue.
As a rule, all rescue bulldogs are spayed or neutered before adoption.
RESCUE ADOPTION VS. PURCHASE COST:
The adoption fee is a fraction of the cost of buying a bulldog puppy from a breeder, and you will also be providing a home for a bulldog in need!
The rescue also provides a
- free veterinary exam
- screening blood test
- heartworm test
- flea prevention
- vaccines
- fecal test, and deworming
We recommend that you contact rescue before you buy a new bulldog puppy.
What Are The Benefits of Bulldog Spay?
Below is a short list of some of the benefits associated with spaying
Spaying a bulldog, or French bulldog, is safer when performed at a young age. Spaying early will prevent medical conditions such as:
- Pyometra Uterine Infection
- Mammary Brest Tumors
- Ovarian and Uterine Tumors
- Unwanted Pregnancies
- Associated Medical Problems
- Prolapsed uterus
- Cystic ovaries
- Hydrometra
- Transmissible Venereal disease
1. BULLDOG AND FR BULLDOG PYOMETRA
Pyometra is a deadly infection of the intact bulldog female uterus. It requires a high-risk emergency and expensive surgery. The longer your bulldog remains intact, the higher the odds they will suffer from pyometra.
Pyometra is more common in mature older intact bulldog females than in young ones.
2. BULLDOG AND FRENCH BULLDOG BREAST TUMORS:
Mammary gland tumors can be avoided by spaying at a young age.
- LOCATION: The breast tumor can be found in a single location or simultaneously in multiple breasts.
- SIZE: They can range from small pea-sized lumps to large multilocular hard ulcerative ones.
- MALIGNANCY: they can be low-risk benign or aggressive cancerous ones
🚨50% of the bulldog breast tumors are malignant
3. BULLDOG OVARIAN AND UTERINE TUMORS:
Other potentially cancerous tumors in intact bulldog and French Bulldog females are uterine and ovarian tumors. Spaying your bulldog will prevent them.
4. PREVENTING UNWANTED PREGNANCIES:
Preventing unwanted, unplanned, premature pregnancies is an additional benefit of spaying your bulldog puppy early before they reach sexual maturity.
Remember bulldog pregnancies usually require C-Section
Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Spay RULE OF THUMB👍:
Spaying your bulldog or French bulldog puppy at a younger age will likely extend their life span and quality of life.
I recommend spaying your bulldog puppy:
- Before the first heat but at least 6 months old
- Or after the first heat cycle
- When having a C-Section for the first litter (OVH at the same time)
- No later than their third or fourth heat cycle while they are still young and in good physical shape.
Bulldog and French Bulldog Spay TIPS & WARNINGS:
Below is a selective spay tips and warning shortlist courtesy of Dr. Kraemer
#1 NON-SPAY FACTORS TIP
Even though spaying your bulldog early in life can prevent certain diseases, there are other contributing factors to those medical conditions, such as
- environmental factors
- nutrition
- genetics
#2 BULLDOG SPAY AND STEM CELL CRYOBANKING TIP
Stem cell therapy is a safe, minimally invasive procedure. We usually recommend that stem cell Cryobanking is done at the same time as your bulldog’s elective spay surgery.
When a bulldog owner schedules an elective surgery like a spay or neuter, they can also request that we harvest their pet stem cells (stored in adipose tissue near the spay surgical site), and then ship it to be cryobanked as “insurance” for future medical emergencies and illnesses.
These stem cells are anti-inflammatory, healing repair cells that may help treat a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions. For the life of your pet, you will be able to call at a day’s notice and ask to retrieve and ship your bulldog’s cryobanked stem cell treatments.
Fortunately, most pet insurance companies recognize the benefits of stem cell therapy, and thus, cover the procedure.
#1 BULLDOG SPAY ANESTHESIA WARNING:
Seeking a veterinary practice with experience in breed-specific anesthesia and equipped with Sevoflurane is crucial for ensuring the safety of brachycephalic breeds during anesthesia.
Additionally, having a medical team that understands the unique needs of brachycephalic breeds, including proper induction techniques, vigilant monitoring throughout the procedure, and careful management during the recovery phase, is essential for a successful outcome.
#2 ELONGATED SOFT PALATE WARNING:
If your bulldog puppy exhibits signs consistent with brachycephalic syndrome they must be addressed before or during the spay procedure.
Endorsements For Early Spay:
Early-age spay and neuter have been endorsed by:
- The Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV)
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
Recommended by Owners Approved By Bulldogs
