What Age To Spay

As the title say`s, what are your opinions on this ? I spoke to the vet`s today and they say they can do the procedure from the age of 5 months. Is this too early, as i always thought it was best to wait till after the 1st season.

There is so much conflicting information by googling, that i find it a tad confusing, with some saying that it`s best to wait till pup has reached sexual maturity, and others saying an earlier age is best. Thoughts please

Iza got done after her second season my vet said should wait for first season at least.

After reading lots id have said 2 seasons terry

Hi Terry, I think its best to wait until Maya has matured more physically, 18 months is usually recommended. Katy had 2 seasons before she was spayed

Our mutt came from Dogs Trust. We got her at 9 weeks and they routinely spay/neuter at 6 months so we had no choice in the matter!

Have to say I thought that was young, going on past dogs we have had but it actually turned out to be the least traumatic, most straightforward one ever. The following morning she was acting as if nothing had happened. She never came into season. I'd definitely go with 6 months again, given a choice.

We got Misty spayed after her second season.

Charmy wrote:Our mutt came from Dogs Trust. We got her at 9 weeks and they routinely spay/neuter at 6 months so we had no choice in the matter!

Have to say I thought that was young, going on past dogs we have had but it actually turned out to be the least traumatic, most straightforward one ever. The following morning she was acting as if nothing had happened. She never came into season. I'd definitely go with 6 months again, given a choice.

Thanks for all your replies Guys and gals This is what is confusing me Charmy, i know most dogs homes do that, and a lot of people agree with it, but looking at the other posts i am seriously thinking to let Maya have at least one season. It`s so difficult to know which way to go !

I didn't research it as I had to accept it when we re-homed her, but now I am really glad we did it when we did. I'd imagine if you looked at the research (potential for future cancers, etc) you'd get a clearer picture of which way to go?

I have had one little female dog in particular who was absolutely pole-axed by her seasons - affected her badly in every way. If I could have spared her even one season, I would have. But it's probably wise to Google the longterm effects of an earlier spay v a later. That way, you can be confident you have done what's right for your dog!

Charmy wrote:I didn't research it as I had to accept it when we re-homed her, but now I am really glad we did it when we did.  I'd imagine if you looked at the research (potential for future cancers, etc) you'd get a clearer picture of which way to go?  

I have had one little female dog in particular who was absolutely pole-axed by her seasons - affected her badly in every way. If I could have spared her even one season, I would have.  But it's probably wise to Google the longterm effects of an earlier spay v a later.  That way, you can be confident you have done what's right for your dog!

Thanks Charmy, i`ll do a bit more research as you suggest

Well after doing a lot more reading up last night i have decided to book Maya into the Vets for next friday. I won`t go into too much detail about how i came about my decision, but it does seem to prevent certain cancers what may occur later in life, and also infections, by having it done early.
As i said yesterday, i still find all the info out there very conflicting, but i had to go one way or the other.
My concern now is that Maya will not be allowed to eat anything from 8 pm on the Thursday before...Not even her evening treats ! My life will be hell

Remember terry no water either oh you'll get dirty looks for a fortnight let us ken how she gets on wee maya

Mia05 wrote:Remember terry no water either oh you'll get dirty looks for a fortnight let us ken how she gets on wee maya

She is fine with having water Crystal, it`s just food she cannot have

Iza was fine the next day, just hope you don't need the cone of shame.

My friend at work gave his girl a t-shirt to wear post-op because they reckoned their other dogs would just pull a cone off her.
might be worth looking into?

ColinW wrote:Iza was fine the next day, just hope you don't need the cone of shame.

Yeah thanks for the reassurance Col, they are a bit of a bloody nuisance them cones aren`t they

Goblin wrote:My friend at work gave his girl a t-shirt to wear post-op because they reckoned their other dogs would just pull a cone off her.
might be worth looking into?

That is a really good idea, Thanks. When my last dog had one on once, she was knocking everything off our coffee table with it I will certainly consider the T Shirt

I got mine done around 3. I would never do it until they are 100% fully grown, and mentally mature, which won't happen until about 2.

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I will be getting Bonnie spayed at 5 months old for various reasons.

My vet said to wait for my two to have their first season which is normally at about 6 months. My last female staffie was done after her first season and was absolutely fine and lived to 15 years old with no health problems what so ever. I had a female setter who was not spayed as she was a show dog but she got ovarian cancer and had to have her womb removed, the vet said that he couldn't understand why the show rules would not allow spayed dogs to take part as spaying a dog at young age can prevent a lot of illnesses and cancers, so since then I have made sure mine are done young xxx

From a showing perspective, whats the point? No point having a dog that is a winner that can't pass on the genes. There should however be a specific class for them and they should be allowed to compete (there is cat and horse classes specifcially) but i don't think a desexed animal should be able to be the top of the chart showing. I am talking about the big shows, the supreme champion type shows, not small local ones.