Discussion
Hi All,
I have just paid the deposit on a 4 week old female pup. I have always had Male dogs and know them like the back of my hand.
I would just like some advice on when we should Spay her? I dont relish the idea of her coming into season if I am honest and all that comes with it, I also dont want to spay her early and it hamper her in later life.
My boy is neutered so hopefully it wont affect him.
Peoples advice and experiences would be very welcome.
I have just paid the deposit on a 4 week old female pup. I have always had Male dogs and know them like the back of my hand.
I would just like some advice on when we should Spay her? I dont relish the idea of her coming into season if I am honest and all that comes with it, I also dont want to spay her early and it hamper her in later life.
My boy is neutered so hopefully it wont affect him.
Peoples advice and experiences would be very welcome.
One of the main reasons for spaying is to reduce the risk of breast cancer (the most common type of cancer in intact female dogs).
Before 1st season (@ 6 months) -> <<1% of the risk of an intact dog
Before 2nd season(@ 12 months) -> <8%
Before 3rd season -> 25%
After 3rd season -> no change
Spaying before the animal is fully grown removes some hormonal control of growth plate closure, so you end up with a leggier dog. There are increasing data that early spaying increases risks of other problems such as joint disease, IVDD etc. There is also a not insignificant risk of an urinary incontinence (easily treated). With any surgery there are also some very infrequent but potentially very serious risks with the anaesthetic, complications etc.
A lot depends on the breed, as a general rule small breeds neuter at 6 months, large breeds / those with predispositions to joint disease or IVDD once skeletally mature.
Before 1st season (@ 6 months) -> <<1% of the risk of an intact dog
Before 2nd season(@ 12 months) -> <8%
Before 3rd season -> 25%
After 3rd season -> no change
Spaying before the animal is fully grown removes some hormonal control of growth plate closure, so you end up with a leggier dog. There are increasing data that early spaying increases risks of other problems such as joint disease, IVDD etc. There is also a not insignificant risk of an urinary incontinence (easily treated). With any surgery there are also some very infrequent but potentially very serious risks with the anaesthetic, complications etc.
A lot depends on the breed, as a general rule small breeds neuter at 6 months, large breeds / those with predispositions to joint disease or IVDD once skeletally mature.
"A lot depends on the breed, as a general rule small breeds neuter at 6 months, large breeds / those with predispositions to joint disease or IVDD once skeletally mature. "
That helps a lot actually, large mastiff Breed 40-50kg, Dad is 70kg.
Risk of HD & ED, not present in the line but a risk none the less.
That helps a lot actually, large mastiff Breed 40-50kg, Dad is 70kg.
Risk of HD & ED, not present in the line but a risk none the less.
If it is a mastiff I would usually recommend staying between first and second season. Decent reduction in risk of mammary masses, reduction in the risk of urinary incontinence and (should be) skeletally mature.
I would strongly recommend spaying, leaving it ‘to be natural’ has a big risk of pyometra, mammary tumours and ovarian tumours. I would much rather do a simple spay on a b
h than a unstable pyometra surgery or a mammary strip.
I would strongly recommend spaying, leaving it ‘to be natural’ has a big risk of pyometra, mammary tumours and ovarian tumours. I would much rather do a simple spay on a b
h than a unstable pyometra surgery or a mammary strip. Jasandjules said:
Plenty of people suggesting not at all these days
there will always be people advocating different ideas, nature didn't invent spaying, humans did, but it does have some real advantages and some risks. If you don't want a bh in season every 6 months for 3 weeks each time then avoid it with neutering, if you want to breed then obviously don't spay. bh in season is a pain for most, but should we neuter just for ease? In my experience, neutering is a great help to peaceful pooch ownership, it reduces real dog stress. As for male dog neutering, there are similar questions which are just as non-black and white. Don't accept silly 100% answers but also look at the experience of others.
Jasandjules said:
Plenty of people suggesting not at all these days
Plenty of people also suggest homeopathy, and believe they have been abducted by aliens. I've done 3 mastectomies in the last week and all were malignant mammary cancers that would have been prevented by spaying, the reduction in risk of such a common type of cancer cannot be ignored.
Jasandjules said:
Are you suggesting are no risks nor detriments in spaying?
If so, have you also undertaken a 10 year study and published your findings ?
There are risks to surgery, or even going to the dentist, but I would not keep a bIf so, have you also undertaken a 10 year study and published your findings ?
h entire unless I was going to breed from her. Mammary cancers, pyometras and diabetes are the main health risks from not spaying, but a biannual month of bh in season is more than most want. So, if you don't want to spay, then don't but accept it may have consequences, and if you do want to spay, accept the risks of GA and incontinence ( much much lower risk than cancer/pyometra) and reap the rewards.Why does this sort of subject always get argumentative?
Jasandjules said:
Are you suggesting are no risks nor detriments in spaying?
If so, have you also undertaken a 10 year study and published your findings ?
No, not at all, if you read my first post you will see that I pointed out the main current risks / concerns with spaying. Every case should be considered on an individual basis. A blanket policy, as you suggested, will be wrong a lot of the time.If so, have you also undertaken a 10 year study and published your findings ?
If we weren't to spay any dogs, then apart from having even more unwanted dogs, we would see a huge rise in dogs dying from breast cancer and pyometra...although we would see less joint disease and some other conditions. There are always pros and cons to anything, it's about making an informed choice for the individual animal.
jmsgld said:
There are always pros and cons to anything, it's about making an informed choice for the individual animal.
Good. I just wish more people would look at both sides before deciding. Seen a fair few problems as a result of both approaches and a worrying trend to spay younger and younger which I hope will be changed.Had my girl Miniature Schnauzer spayed when she was about 18 months old, her first season was at 4 months and basically every 4 months after that, she was very hormonal and protective of some of her toys during this time, but getting a little boy (half brother) meant that she was going to have to be done at some point (she would have made a great mother as she looked after Max well when he came to his new home).
It was recommended that the spay was done 3 months after her season so her hormones settled down.
It was recommended that the spay was done 3 months after her season so her hormones settled down.
Jasandjules said:
Are you suggesting are no risks nor detriments in spaying?
If so, have you also undertaken a 10 year study and published your findings ?
If so, have you also undertaken a 10 year study and published your findings ?
Jasandjules said:
Seen a fair few problems as a result of both approaches and a worrying trend to spay younger and younger which I hope will be changed.
It's interesting how you demand peer reviewed research from others, and at the same time are happy to present weak anecdotal evidence yourself.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff