When to Spay?

[Tiga Mom]

Tiga is scheduled to be spay in a couple weeks, she will be 5 months old. I have always spayed and neutered my all my animals, but it has been a long time since I have had a little one. It seems to me my other animals were older, but its been a little while. Five months seems awfully young to me, but my vet (who is the best), said that the goal is to spay before they have their first "heat," because it greatly reduces their risk of breast cancer in future years. I will follow my vet's advice, but those of you with spayed females, I was wondering when did you have it done? Thanks for your input.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dd09b3127cce95e7f98a96770000001010

Tiga thanks you too!!! :085

[mybunnyisfunny1]

Hello,

I had Ella spayed at 6 months. My vet said they do it between 5 and 6 moths. Since then, I've heard some arguments that it is better to wait until they are older (I think it has something to do with proper development). You could probably do a search on the internet for more info.

Erin

[TsuwaGoldens]

We spay all our pet puppies at 6-7 weeks old. We have had great success in doing this. The puppies are up and around in hours and healed in only a few days. Plus, no over night stay...which is nice.

[tamispray]

My Molly has an appointment to get spayed at just over 5 mos. old. I thought this was a little young too but our vet said it was the perfect age. The only reason they would not do it at that age is for very small dogs. I trust our vet too! She is great. I think 6-7 weeks is way too young. I have heard that you need to give them a chance to get a nice build first or they may not develop well. I know that if you do it too soon with males they will end up with a barrel like mid section instead of defined waist. Does anyone else know more about this?

[KCGoldens]

We had Cayenne spayed at 5 months. She healed really fast with no problems. Ask you vet if they offer the option of laser surgery. Our vet was telling us about it. It sounded like an option I would definatly do if we ever have another female again.

[GoldenGirl]

Spaying can be performed as early as 2 to 4 months of age although 6 to 8 months is standard age. There are pros and cons either way.

GoldenGirl http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/goldsmith/mydoggy.gif

[Tiga Mom]

Tiga's vet not only offers the laser surgery, she highly recommends it. She said that it significantly reduces bleeding, and reduces pain and discomfort, and speeds up the recovery. The only downside is that it costs a little more (30 dollars in Tiga's case). But for me it is well worth the money if I know Tiga will be more comfortable and will heal faster. She is going to have the laser surgery in about 3 weeks, and I will advise of my personal observations.

[CanadianGolden423]

You should spay before the first heat. Afterward, the blood vessels are larger and hemorrhage is more likely to occur. The neutering late to prevent from growing overly tall thing applies only to males. When a female is spayed should not affect her size at all.

Samra

[Swampcollie]

Check with the breeder to see how fast their pups generally develop and mature. I would wait as long as possible before Spaying your girl. There are developmental issues that can occure if you spay too early. (Not size and stature)

Some females if spayed too early, may have a tendency to leak or dribble.

[ahjchicago]

From my recent experience with Gracie. I recommend spaying BEFORE the first heat, at the earliest date that your vet recommends, because that's what your vet is comfortable doing.

I told my story about this in my introduction.

Gracie's now nearly recovered from the post surgery infection she got, and thankfully she's been taking her antibiotics and anti-inflammatories as if they were treats. Smart dog, they do make her well and that's a treat for me.

AJ ;)

[tamispray]

After talking with a friend I found out that spaying too young can lead to urinary tract problems which would explain the "dribbling".

[TsuwaGoldens]

You said: "My Molly has an appointment to get spayed at just over 5 mos. old. I thought this was a little young too but our vet said it was the perfect age. The only reason they would not do it at that age is for very small dogs. I trust our vet too! She is great. I think 6-7 weeks is way too young. I have heard that you need to give them a chance to get a nice build first or they may not develop well. I know that if you do it too soon with males they will end up with a barrel like mid section instead of defined waist. Does anyone else know more about this?"



Not true, not true. I have early s/n many puppies, and they develop just fine. There is no difference between spaying at 6-7 weeks and spayeing at 6-7 months. The only way you will get a different look it to wait until sexual maturity and full growth to occur which is 2-3 years.
I have found way to many vets and breeders both to be mis-informed about early s/n. I think its a wonderful thing....and seeing some my first s/n entering into old age, living healthy and long lives, and constantly complimented on how well behaved and perfect they have been, I will alway do them that early.
Also, the earlier done, the less likely there is for hemoraging and problems with stiches. Most puppies, and I litterally mean 99% of them wake up not even realizing anything has been done at all....and they are healed in just days. :)