Polos Mum
Well-Known Member
We've a puppy and vets have booked her in to spay next week (23rd Feb) she was born 29th Sept - so she won't even be 5 months, been a long time since I had a young dog - is this a little young?
What kind of dog have you got PM?
It just seems so young.
The vets I worked with preferred spaying before their first heat because the blood vessels were smaller making the procedure simpler and less prone to complications. They are also less likely to have other problems such as pyometra which makes the procedure difficult. A lot of shelters will do it as early as 2 months, there are no issues with this.
Three months after a season but not too close to a season.
Four & a half months will mean the reproductive system is not active wheras closer to six months a season could be imminent.
Spaying, or castrating, early can interfere with growth & development. The larger the dog the later it should be done - after first or second season.
The cancer risk the vets quote is not valid and has been disproved in the few studies that have been done. Certainly a spayed bitch won't get ovarian cancer a bit like castration preventing cancer of the testicles.
Some vets it seems like to get in early so they get the money rather than it going to another practice later on.
I agree with all of this except the cancer risk-do you have some research that shows this?
…….. there is an increased risk of incontinence post op - after 6 months its pretty negligible..