To spay or not to spay?

joansgirl

Bailie's 6 months old now and it has always been my intention to have her spayed at this age. However, I spoke to a woman today who has a 2 year old female Golden Retriever. Her vet told her that it was best to leave it until between the first and second seasons. I've looked on the internet and there is plenty of support for both arguments. The thing that's worrying me is that some opinions state that at 6 months old she's not hormonally mature and that can cause problems further down the line both physically and psychologically. I really, really want to do the best I can for her and I will obviously be consulting with the vet (they've already told me they'll do it at 6 months) but I was wondering if there are any owners out there that have experience of this. Has anybody done it at 6 months and had problems as a result? Has anybody had 1 dog done at 6 months and maybe had another one done later? Is there any difference?

The vet only knows what he knows iyswim. It's other owners with experience I need to hear from!

This is a big decision and any input will be appreciated.

aliasojo

There's more and more support for waiting a bit longer. Vets are becoming ever aware of behavioural matters which can/could be linked to early neutering.

If you are a responsible dog owner as I'm sure you are, is there any real issue with you waiting a bit longer before spaying? If you are careful and not the type of owner to just let her run wild then the risk to waiting is negligible.

Even if you are on the fence as to which 'side' to believe, the only harm that can befall her from waiting is that she could be made pregnant in the interim. It's your job as a responsible owner to make sure this doesn't happen.

Alternatively, it's possible that she could be affected by early neutering.

For me the risk of pregnancy would be so low down on the scale that I would personally be happy to wait and not risk the possibility of hormonal or behavioural issues.

joansgirl

No......She definitely will not be allowed to get pregnant! If I do decide to wait I'll be armed with Antimate spray and she'll be kept on a lead until the season is over. I don't really know why I was so intent on having it done so early. I think it's because I want to get it over and done with as soon as possible. My plans included having her spayed at the end of next week because I've got the following week off work so I can be at home with her while she recuperates. I must admit I'm leaning more towards waiting a while. The only problem is getting the time off work at the right time. It all depends when her first season starts.

krlyr

With a large breed, I would certainly wait until she's over a year, preferably 18 months. Large breeds take longer to mature physically and hormones do play a large part in growth, bone density, etc.

Seasons are impractical, but realistically you're only looking at coping with one or two. For the sake of letting her body mature, and trying to avoid joint issues etc. I personally would wait.

joansgirl

I'm overly concerned about Pyometra having witnessed a dog die from it but I think that it mainly affects older dogs. And I'm not the type to just not have her spayed. As Aliasojo said I'm not going to lose anything by waiting a while.

Decisions, decisions!

She's a Lab so medium/large breed. She herself is on the small side.

rising_from_the_ashes

Has she actually had her 1st season yet? (she's very young if she has)

I would certainly never spay before that (and my vet agrees) - just to ensure everything's OK and she's matured enough

trolleyrun

I'd wait if I were you. My vet (who is brilliant) recommends spaying only after the first season (or later, but not before). Most rescues will only spay after first season as well, that's why my mutt wasn't spayed when I got her (the rescue hadn't witnessed her having a season).

Just in case you weren't aware, OP, you'll have to wait at least 3 months after a season finishes before you have your pup spayed, to allow her blood pressure to settle down. Also, the season lasts longer than the bleeding, about 3 weeks in total. Be prepared for your pup to turn into a bit of a hormonal teenager - mine was ridiculous If you already knew this, please disregard

joansgirl

trolleyrun wrote: »

I'd wait if I were you. My vet (who is brilliant) recommends spaying only after the first season (or later, but not before). Most rescues will only spay after first season as well, that's why my mutt wasn't spayed when I got her (the rescue hadn't witnessed her having a season).

Just in case you weren't aware, OP, you'll have to wait at least 3 months after a season finishes before you have your pup spayed, to allow her blood pressure to settle down. Also, the season lasts longer than the bleeding, about 3 weeks in total. Be prepared for your pup to turn into a bit of a hormonal teenager - mine was ridiculous If you already knew this, please disregard

I didn't know about waiting 3 months. This is actually better because it will give me an idea of the time frame I can work to as regards getting time off work etc. I did know the season is longer than the bleed. Hormonal teenager I can deal with (I think!)

Has she actually had her 1st season yet? (she's very young if she has)

I
would certainly never spay before that (and my vet agrees) - just to ensure
everything's OK and she's matured enough

No, not had one yet, she's just reached 6 months that's all. I must admit I was surprised when the vet said they'd do it at 6 months, I thought it was a bit young. All research suggests that there is no harm in waiting as opposed to possible problems with having it done too soon. As long as it gets done eventually, and before she can get any complications from not having it done. I think I'm going to wait. I do know people that have had it done at 6 months and their dogs are fine, no probs, but I think that rather than jump the gun as I always do with such important decisions, I need to wait and be patient.