what age to spey

[Nicola]

I don't think it's particularly common and usually appears to be linked to hormones - such as if some ovarian tissue has also been left behind during spaying.

[cerinrich]

I'm feeling pretty bad reading this because we made the decision to have Hattie spayed before her first season at about 7 months. She's actually registered with two vets because we're in London for work during the week and we had conflicting advice from them. It was a REALLY REALLY tough decision but in the end we decided to have it done early and it doesn't seem to have been a bad thing... She got over the operation really quickly and is just as slender, healthy and lovely as before and is continuing to grow up into a great dog (she's nearly a year old now)

[Nicola]

Cerinrich if Hattie is healthy and happy then you have no reason to feel bad. There is no right and wrong in this situation, you do what you feel is best for you and your dog. Plenty of dogs are spayed before their first season (like most rescue pups for a start) and grow up absolutely fine and likewise plenty are done afterwards and are equally ok. There are risks involved either way but you just have to weigh these up for yourself.

[supergirl]

My vet has a policy of not speying bitches until 3 months after their first season so as to reduce their chances of becoming incontinent later. I have spoken to others who have had their girls speyed before their first season so as to eliminate the chance of them getting certain cancers. Also I am not so sure about spotting exactly the day when she first comes into season - I would hate to miss it and end up with a pregnant puppy. Please can you help with any advice.

There is a thread about dogs in season and spotting the first signs

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=44072.0

I have done it both ways - My first dog Indie was speyed at 6 months and Misha was speyed after her first season.  Can't say that I have seen any difference with regards to their health, but Misha is only 20months old, so probably to soon to tell if there is any effect.  Misha didn't come into season until she was 12 months old, and it might be worth speaking to your breeder to see what age her dogs tend to come into season.  I have to say I couldn't miss the fact that Misha had come into season (1) her personality changed, she was very clingy; (2) there was some blood spotting; (3) girly bits were really swollen.

I think in the end its a personal choice as to whether you do it before or after first season, as there seems to be valid arguments for both.  My reasons for getting Misha speyed after her first season was that many people had said that the personality of the dog seemed to improve after a season, less clingy and more confident.  Given that Misha showed signs of being fearful of other dogs as a pup I decided to let her have the first season.  She isn't afraid of dogs at all now, but this could be due to the fact that I spent much more time socialising her with lots of other dogs, and also because Roly is very confident with other dogs and this could also have helped.

[black taz]

havent been on here for a while, but just thought i would add that i had my Collie X speyed when she was just over 6 months old (ie: before her first season).  She will be 13 yrs old in a couple of weeks and apart from the odd minor infection has always been completely.  I would do the same again.   

[mezzaj]

Thank you 'supergir' I have found your thread very informative. mary

[Karma]

Cerinrich...  Don't feel bad.  We had Honey spayed before her first season... it was the right decision for us at the time and while I sometimes wonder if she would have had the same level of grumpiness with other dogs through her adolescence had she been spayed later, I don't regret the decision...  We may well make a different decision with a future dog, but we won't know until the time, as we won't know what other factors may influence the decision.

I did a lot of reading about the pros and cons of spaying at various ages, and it wasn't a decision I entered into lightly.  Honey was nearly 7 months by the time she was spayed.  It is a subject that will never get 100% agreement on, however I do think it is unnecessary to brand people cruel for opting for an early spay... 

Please let your bitch have a season before spaying,some vets are now recommending its done very young sometimes as young as 4 months  TBH i think its cruel as the puppy is still mentally/physically immature.