Age for Spay?

[SnowDove]

Soooo much controversy on the internet over the "appropriate" age to spay... My head hurts. :(

I was wondering at what age anyone on here decided to have the spay surgery performed?

(I'm so terrified about it, but I *know* it's the right thing to do.)

 

[Caney Creek]

It IS the right thing to do. I personally think it's best to wait until closer to a year old. Spaying or neutering too early can increase the risk of certain diseases and conditions later on in life, and I've also read that if done before they're done growing it can affect the growth of certain bones, which can also lead to problems down the road. Read this:

Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete


And some other previous threads on the same topic
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/dog-health-issues-questions/126764-spaying-our-dog.html
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/dog-health-issues-questions/131232-when-neuter.html

 

[Draymia]

I always recommend my buyers wait until the pup is 9-10 months old. Since my bloodline rarely comes in season until 11-12 months, this is quite safe. Spaying too early can cause problems later in life. Do Not let your vet spay before seven months. We still have too many vets doing "Baby" spays. What a shame! Hormones are there for a reason.

 

[whiskers]

Mine were spayed at 6 months, but in the future I'll be waiting until 12-18 months. To give them time to fully grow. In the end I think that, as long as you are responsible about having an intact dog, it is better to do it a little later.

 

[elgerdes]

I will take this into consideration as Zoe becomes older. Does this mean she will have a heat cycle before becoming spayed? Once upon a time, vets would not normally spay a dog that had gone thru heat before. Myth?

Thanks!

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Yes, that's a myth. Dogs are spayed now when they're IN heat, pregnant, if they've gone through heat, etc. We adopted our female when she was 4-5 years old, the rescue spayed her before we got her, she had obviously gone through a heat cycle. Personally I've never heard that myth, but if it's going around, then yes it's absolutely a myth as vets will spay dogs if they're in heat or pregnant (extra cost typically), so anything goes nowadays.

Personally I spay/neuter at around 6 months, but there are pros and cons for early and late so, do some research and then you will have to decide what is best for your dog and your individual situation.

Best of luck!

 

[elgerdes]

Again, I have heard that there are negative sides to spaying late (other than the obvious mess). What kind of health effects are there?? Spaying early= putting under early in age, unknown effects to growing body.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Again, I have heard that there are negative sides to spaying late (other than the obvious mess). What kind of health effects are there?? Spaying early= putting under early in age, unknown effects to growing body.

I'd recommend you read the links that Zoe posted (CaneyCreek). You can also do Google searches online...TONS of info out there for sure. You can also do a search here as this comes up frequently and many links have been posted.

 

[whiskers]

Again, I have heard that there are negative sides to spaying late (other than the obvious mess). What kind of health effects are there?? Spaying early= putting under early in age, unknown effects to growing body.

I don't know statistics off the top of my head, but spaying/neutering early can affect growth of the dog and increase the risk of certain cancers, there is spay incontinence in females, etc. On the flip side if you wait too long, yes there is the risk of pyomtera, testicular cancer, mammary tumors and whatnot. But I emphasize the words TOO LONG. Because a dog spayed at 18 months old instead of 6 months old, is not really at any greater risk of developing those things. But if you wait until your dog is 7 years old, yes you're taking more of a risk...


The 6 month old thing is really pushed mostly just because, for most people, it is the best choice to get it done early. You have to be careful owning an intact dog and a lot of people are careless enough that mistakes can happen. Even the most diligent people can find themselves with an unwanted litter. It provides the convenience of not having to go through heats, and in males it usually curbs "rude" behaviors like marking and humping.

It is a personal decision, just one of those things where you have to research the various options and decide which you're most comfortable with. Personally, I really only disagree with speutering before 6 months old, except in the case of rescues.

 

[houboxmom]

I had Milo spayed at 6 months as well, and after reading this information realize I probably should have waited at least a few more months. Seems like 9-11 months seems to be the general concensus.