You just brought home a new female miniature Dachshund, and we’re so excited for you!
One of the most impactful decisions you’ll make is whether or not to spay your miniature Dachshund and at what age to get your Dachshund puppy spayed.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what spaying is, how the procedure is performed, and how to choose the best time to spay your Dachshund.
We’ll take you through the surgery and recovery processes, and even offer a new alternative to traditional spaying.
Deciding to get your Dachshund spayed, and when, is important.
What Happens When a Miniature Dachshund is Spayed?
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is the removal of a female dog’s uterus and ovaries.
This routine surgery is performed to eliminate the pup’s ability to reproduce.
Removing a female dog’s ovaries also removes their reproductive hormones. Estrogen is the most common one people have heard of.
Spaying a female dog is slightly more complicated than neutering a male, but it’s still an incredibly common operation that veterinarians perform all over the world.
Before getting your miniature Dachshund spayed, it’s important to have a pre-examination to ensure that your female is healthy enough to undergo the surgery.
Your veterinarian will perform an exam and may even do bloodwork to further determine if your Doxie can indeed get through surgery, and be put under the necessary anesthesia, without any complications.
Your miniature Dachshund should have a health exam before getting spayed.
On surgery day, your miniature Dachshund will be given anesthesia. This process keeps your furry friend asleep and completely pain-free during the surgery.
There are a couple of different options to give anesthesia – it can be given via injection, or inhaled through a breathing tube. Your veterinarian, and the anesthesiologist, will determine which is best for your pup.
During anesthesia, a small plastic tube is inserted into your Dachshund’s airway to allow and support breathing.
The tube is connected to the anesthetic gas machine to give your Dachshund a constant flow of anesthetic gas and oxygen.
Your entire veterinary team will be monitoring your little girl during the procedure to measure heart rate, breathing, and oxygen use during anesthesia.
The actual spay surgery takes place near your Dachshund’s tummy. A small incision is made to completely remove the ovaries and uterus.
After your vet successfully removes them, the doctor will close the incision and clean up the surgical site.
After the operation, technicians will get your Dachshund comfortable as they wake up from anesthesia and begin their recovery.
They will continue to monitor your dog for any changes.
Your pup will also be given pain medication before or after the spay surgery.
We always recommend asking the veterinarian if you have questions about the spay procedure but remember they are professionals and know what they are doing.
Remember that your miniature Dachshund is safe in the hands of a veterinarian and their staff.
What to Expect After Surgery
When you pick up your miniature Dachshund from the vet, she will be groggy and tired, which is normal. You will also notice stitches at the surgery site.
Most likely the stitches are dissolvable, so you won’t have to worry about them.
However, it’s imperative that you keep your Dachshund from licking or irritating the healing incision, as that could cause infection or other complications.
There are a few different tools you can use to keep your feisty pup from bothering their stitches.
You can use a soft cone, surgery suit or even an inflatable collar (these are affiliate links so we get a small commission if you make a purchase).
All of these products are safe when used properly, comfortable, and will help keep your Dachshund safe and healthy throughout the recovery period.
If your veterinarian prescribed pain medication, make sure you administer it to your Dachshund as directed.
Your Dachshund may start acting normal and be full of energy a day or two after surgery. Your dog will need to rest for up to 14 days in order to properly recover though.
It will also be important for your dog to be resting for one to two weeks. The full recovery period is about two weeks.
During his time, it’s crucial to keep your female relaxed. Avoid allowing them to run, jump, swim, play with other dogs, or any activities that could affect the spay incision.
What is the Best Age to Spay a Miniature Dachshund?
Professionals typically recommend getting your miniature Dachshund spayed between six and twelve months old.
Six months is the absolute minimum. Science has indicated there can be health and behavioral consequences of doing it before then.
Some doctors suggest waiting until after their first heat, which will likely be after 6 months but before 12.
Waiting until after the first heat will mean that your puppy is going through puberty.
There are advantages to this in regard to development of bones and joints, but there can also be behavioral problems with nesting, false pregnancy, etc.
If you do wait until after your Dachshund’s first heat to get them spayed, you will need to wait for an additional two to three months before you can opt to have the procedure done.
Your veterinarian can help you determine the best time to spay your miniature Dachshund.
When your Dachshund will experience her first heat can vary so it’s important to watch for the signs.
There is also new evidence that waiting until after 12 months of age to spay your Dachshund may be worth considering in order to reduce the risk of Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), which is the disease that causes back injuries in Dachshunds.
Pros and Cons of Spaying Your Miniature Dachshund
There are positives and negatives to spaying your miniature Dachshund:
Pros:
- Prevents unwanted pregnancy
- Eliminates heat cycles along with associated behavior and discharge
- Can treat and prevent uterine infections (pyometra is the most common)
- Decreases the chance that your dog will get breast or uterine cancer
- May help reduce aggression and behavior problems that your dog may have
- You won’t have to avoid public places or keep your male and female dogs separated, due to her heat cycle
Positive results of getting your female Dachshund spayed include eliminating the chance of pyometra and some cancers.
Cons:
- May increase the risk of IVDD if your Dachshund is spayed too young (before 12 months of age)
- You will not be able to breed your dog
- The removal of reproductive hormones often result in a slower metabolism so it can be harder to keep your miniature Dachshund at the proper weight.
If you have more questions about your specific dog and situation, discuss the decision with your veterinarian to determine what’s best for your family and your miniature Dachshund.
How Much Does it Cost to Spay a Miniature Dachshund?
It can cost anywhere from $50 to $500 to get a miniature Dachshund spayed.
Spaying is a more complicated surgery than neutering a male, so prices are generally toward the higher end.
The overall cost will depend on where you take your Dachshund to have the surgery done.
The price for surgery varies depending on where you take your dog.
General practice veterinarians tend to cost more than taking advantage of a low cost spay and neuter clinic.
If you’re on a budget, don’t worry! Simply Google “low cost spay and neuter clinics near me” and there are sure to be some great options.
These clinics are just as good at “regular” veterinarian hospitals!
Your local county animal control may also offer vouchers for a free spay, but those are typically available on a first come, first serve basis.
We also suggest keeping your eye out for low cost surgery days at mobile veterinarians and shelters such as The Humane Society.
If you just adopted a miniature Dachshund from a shelter or rescue, congratulations! Most dogs adopted from shelters and rescues already come spayed (or neutered if it’s a male).
Adult Dachshunds can still be spayed, assuming they are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.
Your veterinarian can help determine whether or not spaying your adult Dachshund is the best choice based on their current medical status.
Alternatives to Spaying Your Miniature Dachshund
You don’t have to get your Dachshund spayed, and there are a couple of alternatives.
While, overall, the benefits can outweigh the cons of having your miniature Dachshund spayed, it is not your only option.
You can do nothing at all so your Dachshund will be able to reproduce and they will have regular heat cycles.
You can opt for an Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS). This procedure removes the uterus and cervix so a dog cannot reproduce but leaves one or more ovaries.
The purpose of leaving the ovaries is so that a dog can retain their natural growth hormones but cannot get pregnant.
If you go with this option, know that your Dachshund will still have heat cycles but there may be medical and behavioral benefits.
Final Thoughts
Spaying your miniature Dachshund has several health benefits, and it helps keep unwanted dogs out of shelters.
However, the choice to leave your female with her natural hormones is not without its merits.
Ultimately you need to do what’s best for your Dachshund and if you’re still concerned you can set up an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss all of your options.
About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.
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