pre season spaying

Hi guys hope your all well i just wanted too get some feed back on pre versus post season spaying, i have owned staffies most of my life and it use too be that all vets wanted them too have one season before they spay them, my last dog who is 6yrs was spayed at 7mnths pres season and was ok but my vet has wanted too get my new pup done at 6mnths, has anyone else had their bitches done this early and if so how have they been?
I have got afew vets advise and they all seem too say it is fine and she will heal better being younger, also one did say as i have two bitches allowing Ava too have a season could cause aggression between them, as bitches can get moody during a season.
Any feed back will help
Crystel

Hello Crystel , I have moved the topic into SBT Health issues ok Hope someone around soon to answer your question

I will always say that it is your choice, my Scrumpy was done pre season and she is fine, Moo was done post season (she came into season the day of the op) and she is also fine.

Everyone has very strong opinions on this one and can find arguements for and against, me, my opinion is its up to you. Xx

Yes, it's very much your choice. Not the vets, not us. You need to read up on as much info as you can & try to make an informed decision.

My own view is that it's better to allow at least one, preferably two seasons to allow for full physical & mental maturity.

Theses may help you...
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t18747-couple-of-interesting-articles-in-dog-world-about-early-neutering?highlight=dog+world

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

i had Lola done at 6 1/2 months, pre season, with guidance from the vet (i explained the circumstances and my worries having two bitches in the house, the older and bigger dog was complete)

if anything ive always had it in my mind that she's stayed a little puppy-ish in build and nature, but i could be talking rubbish. i've never had any issues with her since the op

The main reason that a lot of vets now recommend spaying before her first heat is due to its effect on the prevention of mammary cancer:


- < 0.5% if sterilized before onset of cycle

- 8% if sterilized after 1st cycle

- 26% if sterilized after 2nd cycle

However, they are other factors to consider so I would read up as much as you could before you decide. As for the age of 6 months, almost 80% of owners who spay their dogs bring them in between 5-6 months of age so I do not think it will be too young if you decide you would like to have her spayed before her first heat cycle.

munschk wrote:However, they are other factors to consider so I would read up as much as you could before you decide. As for the age of 6 months, almost 80% of owners who spay their dogs bring them in between 5-6 months of age so I do not think it will be too young if you decide you would like to have her spayed before her first heat cycle.

But out of that percentage, how many bring them in at that age because the vet has recommended it, and not because they have read about the pros & cons (and there are cons to consider!) & made up their own minds?

Caryll wrote:

munschk wrote:However, they are other factors to consider so I would read up as much as you could before you decide. As for the age of 6 months, almost 80% of owners who spay their dogs bring them in between 5-6 months of age so I do not think it will be too young if you decide you would like to have her spayed before her first heat cycle.

But out of that percentage, how many bring them in at that age because the vet has recommended it, and not because they have read about the pros & cons (and there are cons to consider!) & made up their own minds?

Oh, I definitely agree that there are cons! Most of the owners bring their dogs in at 6months because vets/breeders recommend that age but some who have done their research, still bring them in at that age because they believe the benefit of reducing the risk of mammary cancer is greater than the cons. All I'm saying is if you make that decision, 6 months is not too early. If they had said 4 months then I would definitely agree that it is too young even to consider it.

Unfortunately there are vets across the world who are prepared to neuter at 12 weeks.

Caryll wrote:Unfortunately there are vets across the world who are prepared to neuter at 12 weeks.

That is terrible. I have heard that occurring in welfare organisations where I can understand where they are coming from but for the general public, I think that is far far too young!

Hi Thanks all for the replies I have had bitches all my life and done pre and post season spaying, with skye who is 6 she reached 8mnths with no season so the vet did her then, I have reasearched it all and do know alot if not all the pros and cons guess what worried me was the cons of it could cause bladder weakness and maybe effect their mental maturity not sure i want another scatty pup lol what is swaying me too having it done is firstly we have alot of irresponsible owners round here who let their dogs just run off loose and i don,t want any problems walking her on season, secondly having another female in the house i,m worried about confrontation between them as experienced that before thanks again taken all your comments on board x

It's completely up to you, and I'm having a tough time myself right now trying to decide on this.

Personally I felt that I wanted mia to have at least one if not a couple of seasons before I spayed her, after reading up I felt best to let her develop and mature.
however after one season the vets and her breeder have advised to spay, as she's got some type of hormone imbalance and has a slight discharge and season like symptoms only 3 months after the end of her first season.

It needs to be your own choice however, I can say one thing and that is no one here will judge you either way!

I've always had girl dogs as well and had them done before their first season. Ultimately it's your decision and I'm sure you will make the right one for you and her since you have taken the time to research.

I'd personally wait until she's had at least 1 if not two seasons, or about 18months - 2years old before getting her done