Why can't you spay a dog that's in heat?

Answer 1

Actually, it is possible for a veterinarian to spay a dog that's in heat, but the risk of surgical complication goes up dramatically and the surgery is much more challenging. This is because the blood supply to the ovaries and uterus is vastly increased during the dog's heat cycle, which increases the risk of excessive blood loss and makes ligating the vessels much more challenging. Most private practitioner will choose to wait out the heat cycle and spay a week or so later, when the blood vessels are smaller and the surgery is easier. This is also better for your dog.