Vet advised i get Missy dressed :S

now i know this topic has probibly been posted dozens of times so i apologise for the repitition...

i had Missy at the vets this afternoon for a wee check up. Everything is fine. she is in great health

The vet advised i get her dressed as soon as possible. was just wondering what you guys think on that issue??

vet said every heat increases there chances of infections and problems can develop with age if not dressed.

But i have also read somewhere that the dressing itself can cause complications and can lead to incontanance or other problems in later life.

Also wondering if it will change her personality(although i think this is just an old wives tale)??

She is only 2 (3 in november) and am concerned its a little young and a bit of a shame realy...

i have no intentions of breeding her anytime soon if ever at all so it seems like a reasonable idea. it would mean there is no mess twice a year and i dont have to fight of other dogs on very restrictive walks for the few weeks she is on heat.

any advice, suggestions would be apreciated as i have no idea what to do

cheers

Entirely up to you! Sorry not much help. I have always had my girls done and encourage neutering but the choice has to be yours and yours alone

I would never neuter a bitch before 2 seasons preferably 3. I don't neuter males, but then i wouldn't keep a bitch either

Personally, since she is two years old and you have no intention of breeding her, I would take my vet's advice.

we did Tilly at 18 months (3 months after her 2nd season)

I personally would always spay a bitch unless there was a specific medical reason not to. From the research I've seen, there is a clear health benefit for spaying.

The link below may be of help. :

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs

It's a very personal decision.

I've only ever had one bitch spayed & that was because of pyometra. The 3 other bitches were left entire & all three died of old age. Maybe I was lucky? Probably, but I still wouldn't spay......but that's my personal decision. I respect the decision of anybody who spays their bitch once she is mature. (That is in no way a dig at anyone on here who had their bitch neutered at a young age!)

How many seasons has your bitch had? If it's 2 or more then she will be fully mature both physically and mentally and so spaying would have no detrimental affects on her looks/character.

The main points against (once mature) are an increase in certain cancers, urinary incontinence and any complications from surgery/anaesthetic.

I'm very much with caryll on this, I don't intend to own a bitch like i said but i wouldn't neuter either.

hmmm,thanks for answers guys
very helpfull
going to have to think this through a while. realy not sure on this one...will let you know when i decide what i think is best.
cheers

Very much up to you. Pixee was sprayed at approx 1 year by the blue cross. Any dog that goes to the blue cross gets done. She is fine in her self.