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When do you recommend spaying a puppy? Saffy is almost 4 months and blew her puppy coat very early so I'm wondering if she will go into heat early. Do you guys think that is possible? I understand that it's better if she is spayed before her first heat.
Thanks,
Aurelie |
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| There is mixed opinions about when to spay. The Humane Society started spaying at 8 weeks old years ago....They say with no problems.. I was always concerned with problems turning up when the Baby got older.... I am Old School and think people need to wait until they are about 6 months..... That is Just My Opinion. Kaye |
| when I lived in VT, the shelters there would spay a female before letting it leave, even at 6 wks of age. Here in TN, they just say you have to spay by the time she is 6 mos old. I discussed this with my vet and he said that although they will spay at 6 wks, he recommended waiting until she was 4 mos and certainly by the time she was 6 mos old. I had her spayed at 4 mos as I wanted to be sure she didn't go into heat and risk her getting pregnant. |
| Around the 6 month mark here for spaying of larger breeds. |
I think 6 months is about right.
There is one thing that happens when a dog is spayed before puberty.... the growth plates never "close" properly, and the dog grows irregularly without the hormones to regulate and direct it. A lot of dogs spayed young end up being very "leggy" and in some cases it can cause joint problems and lameness. Getting leggy when spayed young is almost always, joint problems because of it are not as common, but can happen. |
Here is a great article that considers the consequences of spaying or neutering at various ages.
http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html |
Quote: I think it is important, therefore, that we assess each situation individually. If a pet dog is going to live with an intelligent, well-informed family that understands the problem of pet overpopulation and can be trusted to keep their dogs under their control at all times and to not breed them, I do not recommend spaying or neutering before 14 months of age.
In rescue this is the key, so it is pretty hard to justify not doig it early. Many shelters don't follow up, so the overpopulation problem continues. Also, purebred dogs are often stolen out of people's yards, or the dog gets lost and ends up in the wrong hands as a breeding machine. If the puppy is already altered the stolen dog does the backyard breeder or the miller no good, so will be dumped. If still intact, what a life your dog could end up with.
In England they have been doing pediatricc spay/neuters for 30 years. I wish they did not have to be done at all, but frankly, any intact animal has the potential to become a breeder. I have seen many, many reports of show dogs getting lost or stolen, and they would have been the most likely to be watched and guarded to the ultimate. It happens. |
| I'd say 6 months as well. I got Daphne done right about that time, if you can get it before their first heat, it generally best. |
Is there a greater risk of spaying too early of spaying incontenance in a bitch? Or is that more common in older bitches being spayed?
Be very interested if anyone can answear that for me? |
I took Rags to the Vet earlier today..... Was told she was spayed when I got her...(Turns out I was lied to about a lot of things about her) .... Well she is in heat  I was told to wait until she is over her heat to spay her. My SIL said it can be done during the heat.
What are the opinions of the group? Why is it more money during heat?
Also why do Vets recommend waiting until after? Health risks? |
Elissa one of mine was diagnosed with low grade pyometra and in heat, we had drugs to cantain that as the vet would not spay her till the 21 days were over. On the 21st day into surgery and spayed.
Apparently there is more of a risk when in heat to do surgery. I know there are ones that are spayed while in heat but better to do at the end of her heat, not as risky for her. I don't know what the risks are spaying during heat all I know is it is more risky then. |
lisaoes wrote: Is there a greater risk of spaying too early of spaying incontenance in a bitch? Or is that more common in older bitches being spayed?
Be very interested if anyone can answear that for me?
In that link I posted there is a reference to a study that was done that showed there IS a greater incidence of incontinence in bitches spayed early. |
Pepsi's Mommy wrote: I took Rags to the Vet earlier today..... Was told she was spayed when I got her...(Turns out I was lied to about a lot of things about her) .... Well she is in heat I was told to wait until she is over her heat to spay her. My SIL said it can be done during the heat. What are the opinions of the group? Why is it more money during heat? Also why do Vets recommend waiting until after? Health risks?
The reason they like to wait is because there is an increase of blood flow to the vessels of the reproductive system, so more risk of bleeding. However, it is done all the time. The vet and assistants just need to be aware of it.
What is the color of the discharge at this point Elissa? That can give you an idea of where in her heat cycle she is. Is there any chance she was bred before you got her? |
Thanks Lisa,
Stacey, She just starting discharging blood yesterday afternoon.
The Vet said it didn't look like she had had pups before. Am I correct that they can't get pregnant until after the bleeding part is over?
We've had some visits from the local Pitbulls... Eww Can you imagine a Sheepbull? They got under the temporary gate, but I have been supervising every outting since we got her due to the fact that the gate is temporary. They didn't bother her at all just ran around the yard and peed everywhere. The boys followed them around. |
| The heat cycle really varies, most oes are fertile around day ten to day fourteen, but if the dogs heat cycle is shorter she may be able to get pregnant as early as day 3 or as late as day 21. |
