Age for spaying female dogs?

[MoBry]

We have a rather lovely rescue puppy who is now coming up to her sixth month and,as we don't want to add to the puppy problem, we wondered what the best age is to take her to the vet's from where she will emerge as an "it" (but we're not telling her the bad news!)

[sophie]

Femals pups can come on to heat at 6 months, so I would take her to your Vet as soon as you can. if he or she thinks you should wait another month, then do so, but not much longer.

[belle]

I asked my vets advice (in UK) and she was sorted immediately after her first season, we are however dealing with UK vets and not the ones in TRNC.

[Rambling Rose]

My Vet advised letting mine have one season before spaying. His rationale was that the growth hormones and reproductive hormones are linked and trigger each other, so spaying too soon might stunt her growth. It sounded reasonable so (particularly with her being a cross with a "miniature " breed anyway. ) I let her have one season, even though it meant I had to pay more for registration.

However I have to say that later another very well respected local Vet pooh,poohed this idea!!!

What are the risks of pregnancy?

- I think six months too young to let a dog run off the lead so if you have a secure garden
it seems worth waiting for the first season.

[Terri299]

Our vet, in the UK, says 3 months after the first season. But you do have to keep an eye on them when they come into season, you may get lots of boys visiting

[Hippocampus]

Many UK vets and it would seem all the younger ones, started to recommend speying at 6 months roughly 20 years ago. I have now had many girls done at 6 months with no problems and certainly no stunted growth etc., the only problems that have arisen have been with dogs that have been done when older. Spare her the disturbance of a first season, and yourself.

[Hippocampus]

Sorry, forgot to say that the reason some vets like to leave it until 3 months after the first season is so that they can be sure they are not performing the op when the uterus is active, as it is easier and safer. Nevertheless, thousands of stray dogs are operated on here and elsewhere, when nobody has a clue as to when they are due, or are already pregnant, and complications are very rare indeed.

[Rambling Rose]

With respect, Hippo, neither the dogs nor Vets have an option and it isthe lesser of two evils - but no one knows if they suffer complications in later life.

I was dreading my puppy coming into season as I seem to be surrounded by untreated male dogs -- but in fact it was no problem at all, no lines of suiters at the gate and the only dog she took any interested in was her adopted brother with whom she flirted shamelessly but rather pointlessly since he had been "done" years ago and treated the whole episode with a gentlemanly restraint.

On the other hand my other female dog had the op when she was pregnant at an estimated 3 years old (before she was passed on to me by someone who had too many dogs to handle). She is now a bright and healthy (if rather slower) l6 or 17 so it cant have done her much harm! But then she is a Cyprus terrier and they are tough little dogs - a pedigree might need more care.

[Rambling Rose]

PS You can reassure your little dog. Mine had the op done by Pertev in the end. Apart from a little grogginess for the first few hours, she suffered no ill effects at all and was running about at lively as ever next day.The scar was almost too small to see, needed no treatment and stiches disolved and was invisible in just over a week. She really doesnt know anything happened - and she still flirts with her adopted brother!

A sharp contrast from the first bitch I had spayed who had a nasty wound with ugly great stiches and had to wear a "bonnet" and be sprayed with antiseptic daily for a month. So one good thing, Veterinary Science has improved tremendously here - although unfortunately for those on a fixed income so have the costs""

[MoBry]

Thanks very much, everyone, for all your help. Zoe is six months approx. as we don't know when she was born but your comments have convinced us to get her spayed straight away. We have a lot of stray dogs around our area close to the Merit Hotel in Alsancak and don't fancy the idea of them turning up if Zoe goes into heat. Plus we already have a younger, unpspayed male puppy and four cats, so we think the best course is to spay her and prevent any possible problems. We saw the vet today and she goes in on Tuesday, to return home as "it"! And then Ziggy goes in for his cut in March. I think we'll be glad when it's all over!