When is the good time to spay?

[M&M's Mommy]

Muffin is only 9 weeks old, so I know I have some times to go, but I wanted to know when is the EARLIEST time that a dog can be spayed, and when is the BEST time that the dog should be spayed?

Missy was spayed when she was 4 mos old. I'm planning to do the same with Muffin, but curiosity gets the best of me, and I just had to ask!

 

[bluezano]

I have seen another thread on this topic with quite a few differing opinions, but thought that I would share my experience.

My vet recommends waiting until six months. I think that this is pretty much the norm.

However, I adopted Mina from a local animal shelter and she was spayed at eight weeks. She was actually brought into the shelter with her mom at two days old and they waited until eight weeks to spay and adopt out. This is the shelter's policy with regard to spaying and I guess more and more shelters are going this way with the very young puppies.

Hope this helps.

 

[dogsarebetter]

the shelter here spays dogs asap, and that is around 8 weeks.

i dont see what spaying her at 4 months would hurt, but i 6 months is the norm

 

[jess2416]

My vet recommend 6 months for medium - large breeds...

they go by a weight for small breeds...

 

[PoodleMommy]

I have always heard 6 months and all of my animals (cats and dogs) have been spayed at exactly 6 months and I have never had any problem. Therefore I will stick to this with Bella... but I have heard others say they do it at 4 months with no problems... I would go with whatever your vet reccomends.

Elissa

 

[SisMorphine]

6 months is the absolute earliest a dog can healthily be spayed.

This is because without the release of hormones that happen up until that point a dog's bones and organs cannot grow correctly and you can easily end up with joint problems or even worse, other more deadly health conditions.

It would be the difference between doing a human hysterectomy on a 13 year old and doing on on a 1 year old.

Personally I would wait until after the first heat. I used to think that that way of thinking was "old school" but the more I learn about hormone release and it's effect on the body, the more I believe in spaying after the first heat and neutering no sooner than 1 or 1.5.

Though I do fully understand why shelters and rescues do pediatric spay/neuter, I just would never adopt one that had that done.

 

[planet molosser]

My buyers with pets are required to spay before a year but not younger than 6 months. Because I have a large breed the one time I spayed a 4 months old bitch she has problems with her bladder now....

I do agree with shelthers spaying young thou it is a no win situation there.

 

[doberkim]

6 months is the absolute earliest a dog can healthily be spayed.

This is because without the release of hormones that happen up until that point a dog's bones and organs cannot grow correctly and you can easily end up with joint problems or even worse, other more deadly health conditions.

It would be the difference between doing a human hysterectomy on a 13 year old and doing on on a 1 year old.

Personally I would wait until after the first heat. I used to think that that way of thinking was "old school" but the more I learn about hormone release and it's effect on the body, the more I believe in spaying after the first heat and neutering no sooner than 1 or 1.5.

Though I do fully understand why shelters and rescues do pediatric spay/neuter, I just would never adopt one that had that done.

this information is not true.

animals can safely be spayed as long as the vet is comfortable and able to do it, as early as 8 weeks (and yes, i have done them that early).

there has been no information or studies showing that spaying them early results in any organ disfunction. the studies have shown that dogs that underwent pediatric neuters ended up, on average, a quarter of an inch taller than their counterparts. a second study also showed that there were some alterations in joint structure in neutered animals (change in cartilage, etc). none of them showed that there was any actual noticeable problems with these dogs.

there is no scientific evidence that supports a female needing or benefitting from experiencing a heat, and significant support for spaying before the first heat.

 

[SisMorphine]

this information is not true.

animals can safely be spayed as long as the vet is comfortable and able to do it, as early as 8 weeks (and yes, i have done them that early).

there has been no information or studies showing that spaying them early results in any organ disfunction. the studies have shown that dogs that underwent pediatric neuters ended up, on average, a quarter of an inch taller than their counterparts. a second study also showed that there were some alterations in joint structure in neutered animals (change in cartilage, etc). none of them showed that there was any actual noticeable problems with these dogs.

there is no scientific evidence that supports a female needing or benefitting from experiencing a heat, and significant support for spaying before the first heat.

As far as spaying before the first heat, I can see where that can be up for discussion depending on the release of hormones prior to the first heat (hence the reason most are spayed at 6 months). Plus also the possibility of pyo and such.

But I still don't understand how people can say that pediatric speutering doesn't have it's longterm affects. Obviously the hormones in a pup are not all produced in the first 8 weeks, and hormones are very important in the development of the body (be it human or animal). So how can altering the sex organs, which are a main source of hormones, prior to all of the hormones being released, be perfectly fine? It doesn't make sense to me.

PS: Hi Kim

 

[planet molosser]

I agree with the females, the only issue i have seen is bladder control, It did not seem to affect the dogs joints like a early neuter on a large breed.

But i have seen proof in which neutering young cause joint issues and elongated growth in the long bones of xlarge breeds and growing 2-3 inches taller without the muscle. And a huge surge in growth immed after a early neuter. Again Xlarge breeds this does not account for the vast majority of the pet over population

A Spayed female before he first heat has been PROVEN to live 2-3 years longer than the counter parts IF they are kept in shape. OBesity being a issue for spayed dogs not kept on a proper diet and exercise program.

Also the deadly Pryos dont care if they are thier first heat they can kill just as fast for the unknowledgable dog owner.

Plus with pregnancy I remember in the city how many girls would say it was my 1st cycle I did not know I could get pregnant - same applies to dogs.

NO reason to have one heat cycles for PETS.

 

[jess2416]

I agree with the females, the only issue i have seen is bladder control, It did not seem to affect the dogs joints like a early neuter on a large breed.

But i have seen proof in which neutering young cause joint issues and elongated growth in the long bones of xlarge breeds and growing 2-3 inches taller without the muscle. And a huge surge in growth immed after a early neuter. Again Xlarge breeds this does not account for the vast majority of the pet over population

A Spayed female before he first heat has been PROVEN to live 2-3 years longer than the counter parts IF they are kept in shape. OBesity being a issue for spayed dogs not kept on a proper diet and exercise program.

Also the deadly Pryos dont care if they are thier first heat they can kill just as fast for the unknowledgable dog owner.

Plus with pregnancy I remember in the city how many girls would say it was my 1st cycle I did not know I could get pregnant - same applies to dogs.

NO reason to have one heat cycles for PETS.

Thats why I got Chloe spayed before her first heat she was done at 6 months old...

 

[juliefurry]

I always spay at around 6 months just because I was told it's best to wait until around that age. I was told this when I was a little kid though but for some reason I still stick to that today. Hannah was spayed at 6 months and I will have Holly spayed at 6 months as well. I heard they develop better if they wait that long, although that's probably a load of bull.

 

[planet molosser]

The bladder in large breed dogs take a bit of time to develop and it for some reason needs the uterus to finish the process I knew my runt was a runt before the spay but she has perfect comformation and has not physical features wrong with her just her bladder issue.

 

[doberkim]

I agree with the females, the only issue i have seen is bladder control, It did not seem to affect the dogs joints like a early neuter on a large breed.

But i have seen proof in which neutering young cause joint issues and elongated growth in the long bones of xlarge breeds and growing 2-3 inches taller without the muscle. And a huge surge in growth immed after a early neuter. Again Xlarge breeds this does not account for the vast majority of the pet over population

A Spayed female before he first heat has been PROVEN to live 2-3 years longer than the counter parts IF they are kept in shape. OBesity being a issue for spayed dogs not kept on a proper diet and exercise program.

Also the deadly Pryos dont care if they are thier first heat they can kill just as fast for the unknowledgable dog owner.

Plus with pregnancy I remember in the city how many girls would say it was my 1st cycle I did not know I could get pregnant - same applies to dogs.

NO reason to have one heat cycles for PETS.

the vast majority of the animals in this country ARE pets, thats something to keep in mind.
in terms of spay incontinence, its something that happens from lack of estrogen that makes the urethral sphincter less "strong" (we think) - and for dogs prone to getting it, it usually doesnt matter when they are spayed. and that also doesnt stop male dogs and intact females from getting it, either - so i dont think its something worth keeping a dog intact to avoid

 

[planet molosser]

Well i beg to differ I bred her so no other dog in her line or litter of cousins have that issue including the ones spayed at age 1 or 2.

Read my posts I have a X large breed they can take 2 years to fully develop in size and 3 years in mentally.

This differs than the average size pet.

I am all for spay as per my contract is requires it but i suggest NOT enforce that if done before 9 months that a chance of bladder control would be a issue. Sleeping with a 66 pound dog with this issue is a problem.

And after over 25 years of rescue I understand the pet over population well.
But understanding the issues that could arize makes for a better informed pet owner.. Ive had known I would of just waited a few more months and she would be able to sleep with me.

 

[doberkim]

Well i beg to differ I bred her so no other dog in her line or litter of cousins have that issue including the ones spayed at age 1 or 2.

Read my posts I have a X large breed they can take 2 years to fully develop in size and 3 years in mentally.

This differs than the average size pet.

I am all for spay as per my contract is requires it but i suggest NOT enforce that if done before 9 months that a chance of bladder control would be a issue. Sleeping with a 66 pound dog with this issue is a problem.

And after over 25 years of rescue I understand the pet over population well.
But understanding the issues that could arize makes for a better informed pet owner.. Ive had known I would of just waited a few more months and she would be able to sleep with me.

i am just curious, in what ways do you think the bladder is developing?

ive slept with 100 lb dogs with this issue - i too have a breed that is not mature until 2-3 years old, and mentally sometimes not until 8 or 9 for the males

what i am saying is that for dogs prone to it, it doesnt matter if it is before or after the heat, its the lack of estrogen period.

there are many other reasons for incontinence, including poor conformation, congenital deformities, chronic UTIs, bladder masses, and neurologic problems.

 

[Saintgirl]

We did wait until after Abbey's first heat to have her spayed, and she still has spay incontinence. I too thought that this was a lack of estrogen, especially because when we added her estrogen meds to her routine the 'leaking' stopped. In the end we did not keep her on the estrogen because we have found a holistic method that we like much better.

With all that being said, IF and that is a big IF a person can responsibly keep their dog intact without the risk of reproduction I think waiting is a better idea. I personally feel more comfortable allowing hormonal maturation, and especially because my heart has been stolen by the giant breeds I worry about anything that can cause potential bone and joint problems. BUT- if there is any risk at all that an unwanted pregnancy could occur, spay sooner. The minimal risks associated with an early spay are far out weighed by producing an unplanned litter!

 

[planet molosser]

I have Central Asian shepherd dogs the dog in question does not have comformation issues she took a few group places in altered classes.

Size for males is 130-150 some are bigger
Females are 100-130lbs

She had a ultra sound negative and her line which I own breed 3 generations of do NOT have this in thier lines, littermates, mom sister etc.
As as matter of fact her sis can hold it longer than most here.

This issue has been proven in studies that can be a problem for too early spay.

I am not going to cut and paste all this anyone can google it.

When it comes to shelters I am all for spays at 8 weeks.
When it is a way for breeders to control breedings I am all for it.
When it comes to my personal taste as a breeder I am not for it until about 9 months for female and neutering is another issue off topic.

Precious was a runt so maybe she just needed more time to grow then the others .

here is a pic of her at a altered show she is 1 inch under the breed standard.

Her comformation.
http://www.casdog.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=5374&cat=682

May not come thru having a brown out again nothing is the same after the big storm up here in Buffalo

 

[planet molosser]

Saint girl can I ask you about the holistic method?

 

[bubbatd]

I always thought about 6 months was logical ......with fingers crossed that they didn't have their first heat early !