spaying too early causes developmental issues?

[Jami1]

Hi there. Need some opinions please. When trying to find a puppy I spoke with quite a few breeders. One of them asked me if I planned on spaying if she let me have a pup. I said yes, as soon as the vet would allow. Well, she told me that she would suggest waiting as long as possible before doing it because it can hurt the dog's physical development. That sometimes spaying too soon makes a female doggie's head look too big for her body or her legs not grow as long as they should. Also can cause trouble with their chest size. She encouraged me to determine the mother's heat cycle and do it a month before the mother's usual season starts. For example, the pup I was considering from her could be done at 8 months because her momma goes into season about every 9 months. So.....anybody else heard this one? Is it true? I am not finding any other sources of info on this. THANKS!!!! Jami

 

[kpdangermouse]

ive never heard this...it sounds sort of silly, but then, im no expert! i do know that sometimes spaying too young can cause spay incontinence., and some females will need hormone treatment for this. my girl was spayed very early (not by my choice) and she has had no problems with incontinence. dont judge her by her looks though! (shes my lil boxer-mutt)

maybe someone else has more insight..

~kelly & jezebelle, CGC

 

[Jags_Mommy]

This information may be worth the read

I have to agree with KP on this. It does seem a bit silly that any physical developmental delay would occur from early spaying. Here http://regaliapyrs.tripod.com/early_spay_neuter.htm is a little blurb on the early spaying & neutering of pets that is rather interesting and may help shed a bit of light on the subject.

 

[Jami1]

thanks.....

Thanks for your thoughts. I thought it was really strange too, but figured I should put it out there in case this was a boxer thing or something. I am reading a lot and researching a lot, but have come to rely on people's information here. So, thanks......Jami

 

[tigerpaw99]

I don't know what it would actualy do physically, but spaying to early can cause problems.... you have to remember in both male and female dogs durring a spay and neuter the things being removed are hormone producing among other things so of course there will be differences. Some peope leave males intact longer to try and get them to grow bigger for example.

 

[douma]

I don't know what it would actualy do physically, but spaying to early can cause problems.... you have to remember in both male and female dogs durring a spay and neuter the things being removed are hormone producing among other things so of course there will be differences. Some peope leave males intact longer to try and get them to grow bigger for example.

I's sounds very logical.Here,many people leave their dogs intact until they have matured
I really don't know,but i had my girl spayed just after her second heat at the age of 13 months

Sophia and Avra

 

[EMWAZ]

Just like you said in your original post jami1, I've done research also I could not locate anything that was factual that shows there is any real damage or health issues from spaying/nuetering early. I could fine nothing that relates to size either. I think its just speculation. My Zoe and my kitty were both done relatively early and are perfect and seemed to recover quickly..

 

[emma'sdad]

I’ve not done a lot of research, but I’ve read that if you have them spayed before their first heat, that it will greatly reduce their chance of cancer.
Like I said I’ve not done a lot of research so took it for what its worth, but its something to look into.
LeRay
P.S. Emma just turned 7 months, and she is getting spayed soon, so let me know if you find any thing that would make me want to wait.

 

[adeinert]

I don't know what it would actualy do physically, but spaying to early can cause problems.... you have to remember in both male and female dogs durring a spay and neuter the things being removed are hormone producing among other things so of course there will be differences. Some peope leave males intact longer to try and get them to grow bigger for example.

This is all disproven by research. Do a search on early spay/neuter on Boxerworld and you will find that the studies show that if any size difference occurs, earlier neutered dogs grow a tad taller. Anotherwords, there is no reason to wait and those that say to do so are showing their lack of knowledge on the subject. Many members on Boxerworld have written in to share the sizes of their early neutered boxers. Genetics determines size.

Shelters always spay/neuter at 8 weeks. Most people spay/neuter at six months, so true early spay neuter is 8 weeks.

Good for you for doing your research, Jami1. You surely can't believe everything you hear, and the stuff about leaving a boxer intact longer has no benefit. So many people just pass on this fiction instead of looking into it themselves.

Ashlie

 

[tigerpaw99]

adeinert - that is all true particularly in the area of size (no difference), however spaying and neutering too early can cause physiological differences no matter how minor they may be.