too old to spay?

by Mindy
(Traverse City, MI 49684)

We just adopted an 8 yr old female pomeranian. I was worried about her health because her rectum was swollen. the next morning i saw blood spots on her pad in the crate. Then I turned her over and saw that her vulva was swollen. I'm pretty darn sure she is in heat. Is she too old to spay without serious complications. She has poor dental health too.

I say we adopted her but it is more like we rescued her. We bathed her when we got her home, while her fur is gorgeous she has a strong wet dog smell. Could this be because she is in heat? We bought some ear dry and that helped a little but she still has an odor.