a little advice please

[Nelly]

My little nell is 4 months old. I have had a little girl rspca dog before but cant remember what age i had her spayed. (Im sure it was compulsory 6 months of age?). Is it 6 months exactly? I want nell to be spayed as im not comfortable with her bleeding etc with a houseful of children.
Am i meant to let her have a season beforehand??
Sorry, i sound a little ignorant
xx

[black taz]

I had my rescue collie spayed at 6 months and will have my new Lab (Kira) spayed when she is 6 months.  I know that there is a lot of disagreement even between vets of when is best to spay, but i can honestly say that Kelly never had any illnesses until she was 13 1/2 and even then it wasnt related to early spaying.  When i called at our local RSPCA a few weeks ago they were going to spay some 14 week old bitches that week.

[Ninasmum]

Most vets would advise 3 months after her 1st season.  Personally i wouldn't have her spayed any earlier.

Many animal rescue's advise or insist at 6 months, but i believe this is to avoid any accidental matings.

[Ninasmum]

When i called at our local RSPCA a few weeks ago they were going to spay some 14 week old bitches that week.

OMG  that is shocking. 

[Bounty]

I had Maggie done after her first season and Poppy done before and I could not tell a difference in their behaviour to be honest.

[Wendy G]

We are waiting for Stella to have her first season before having her done

[MaggieR]

I had Maggie done before her first after weighing up all the pro's and con's. No change in her behaviour but her coat has gone uber wooly now...

[Nelly]

Thank you for your replies. It seems people thoughts vary very much.
xxx

[xlynnx]

hi we had zoe done on tuesday there. She had not had a season yet and she was 71/2 months old.  I dont know what the right answer is, if any, but do what you feel is right yourself and your pupster

[Victoria25]

Poppy was also done on Tuesday- 3 and 1/2 months after her first season, it was feasible for us to do it that way around so we did.

[Karma]

Thank you for your replies. It seems people thoughts vary very much.
xxx

They do indeed!!

We were advised by the vets to spay at 6 months, and that's what we went with at the time, as weighing up ALL the considerations it was the best decision for us and for Honey. (It was actually nearer 7 months, as that was when I could get the time off work to stay with her while she was on restricted exercise.)

What we would do in future depends on the circumstances at the time... I really don't think it is cut and dried, as there are benefits to spaying early and different benefits to waiting until after 1 season.

[Mudmagnets]

Katie was spayed at 7 months, it was what the vet advised and I could not see any reason to hold back.

Smudge was then 18 months, and altho he was castrated and showing 'no interest' then, I was not sure if that would remain so.

[Nelly]

Thank you again for you replies. It does certainly appear that peoples opinions differ. I think i may have little nell spayed at 6 months, but will pop and ask the vet his advice too. I have changed vets since my other two lovely dogs so i shall see what this one says. Im thinking before nells first season??
Many thanks again
xx

[bracken]

All my girls have been spayed 3 months after the first season I was told by my vet it gives them time to mature