getting a puppy fixed

[becca_4321]

Ok, the vet told me that I can get Gracie fixed anytime now so I made an appointment. Now I'm reading that it's not good to do this before they are at least 6months old. What do you think? Think I put it off a couple more months?

 

[aurorab]

How old is she and what type of dog? Any dog can be fixed b4 6 months but part of the reason they wait is so they are large enough and strong enough to handle the anestesia (sp?). Also it's usually 6 months or 1st heat (for females).
I know that some rescues get fixed way b4 6 months b/c if not there is a chance that someone will adopt them and then not have them fixed and breed them. i guess they think that it's the lessor of 2 evils not the best interest of the animal.

 

[becca_4321]

She's 4 months, a Chow. The vet said anytime now she can be fixed but after I read that it worried me that maybe I'm rushing this and shouldnt!

 

[aurorab]

Can you call him and ask him why he wants to do it so early? We (at the vets I worked at) did it after all of the puppy shot, that took them to right about 6 months. Have you finnish all of the vaccines and booster?
Personally I probably wouldn't mind 5 months but I'd wonder why the vet would want to do it at 4 months. As long as she hasn't had a heat cycle you should be ok and if there isn't a compelling reason to do it this early why not wait a month or 2. Like I said ask the vet why he thinks at 4 months it is ok and that you have read that 6 months is best. Some vets do disagree about this (actually this disagree about a lot of things).
Good luck

 

[becca_4321]

I think I'll put it off longer. She's finished with her shots, all that is left is getting her fixed. Thank you for taking time to talk to me about this stuff.

 

[aurorab]

Anytime!

 

[juliefurry]

yeah, my vet told me they like to spay at around 4 months as well. I'm holding off until Hannah is 6 months though just because I think it's best. They say that the dog will recover faster if they are younger though.

 

[bubbatd]

My "Bible" says.....Female : either before her 1st heat ( as close to possible as to when it might happen., or if she's had a heat, wait for 2 months because it takes this long for the progesterone level to decline.If this is stopped suddenly, nervousness or irritability may occur for a time.This can be overcome by having your vet administer a long acting progestin.