When to Spay? Differing Opinions!! (and some pics)

When to neuter?

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Katikins

Katikins

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So Freya is over 5 months now and we are discussing when to get her neutered. That decision was the easy one!! The problem I'm having is deciding whether to go for before or after her first season. Now the information I've been given is this; Neuter before the first season reduces the risk of mammary cancer from ~6% to ~3% HOWEVER this can increase the risk of incontinence, though I've heard that in a smaller breed like a whippet this is much less common anyway.

I've spoken to 2 vets at our practice and our breeder and read up and opinion seems to be pretty much split 50/50. So I thought I'd do a quick poll to see what the consensus on here is. Obviously want to do the best for my girl and I get the impression that either way is really a matter of opinion (though the OH would rather it was before her first season as he doesn't want to have to keep her on a lead through her season... men eh!)

I've also put a few piccies on just because I think she's gorgeous :) And a little vid of her having her first dip in the water yesterday (water up to this point has been very scary and should be treated with the utmost caution) :D I love my little Freya-Pops :D

Little video: http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/kate260881/Freya/?action=view&current=20120527_102354.mp4

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I have always waited til after first season. Like you I had heard different opinions. But after a friends bitch started leaking urine after being done early I decided to wait. I also asked my friend who is a vet what she did with her own dogs and she waited too.
 
3 months after the first season - always. This also reduces the risk that they are about to come into their first season as you spey. This is because the tissue is alot more friable then and can lead to added complications.

She's a gorgeous girl!
 
I chose before the first season and would do so again. I might make an exception for a very large breed bitch but am unlikely to ever own one of those. :p
 
I was 50/50 with Storm and then went for before 1st season but I did cut it fine as she was done last week at aged 10 months.
I actually haven't voted, should probably put 'other' as I'm still 50/50 on it.
This is my 1st time having a bitch spayed and I did a lot of research, spoke to vets, vet nurses etc and went with before her 1st. I just hope I made the right decision :o
Freya is gorgeous :D Not that I'm biased (She looks a lot like Storm :p )
 
For her bred and size I would say from 6 months and over so if that's before a first then I would, otherwise after 1st season, I have had alot of dogs and will neuter asoon as I can depending on the age I get them and the size, for a large breed then 12 months plus to allow for growth, however her growth is just about done.
I would not recommend what I would not do for myself.
I have never had a bitch with incontinence and have always neutered them, but can tell you its more common in the larger breed bitches as you suggest and belive it or not its common in larger breed entire bitches too;)
There is no harm waiting till after the 1st season but I certainly would not wait any longer than that.
She is absoliutely gorgeous, but then as a whippey owner I am biased lol.
Ps I voted other to explain my allowing for size/growth.
 
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I got mine done after her 1st season (my vets will only do it after), mine is a JRT. I know someone who has one of her sisters and she got done before- the incision was huge- must've been about half the length of her body almost and she took ages to heal. My girl had one about an inch long, stayed perfectly clean (even though she managed to jump on and off the sofa at least 3 times a day :rolleyes: ) and now she doesn't even have a scar because it healed so well. It could just be dependant on how good the vets are, but nearly everyone that I've spoken to seems to think that afterwards is better.
 
On the advice of our vet, we had Dinks spayed after her second season . . . she's a small/medium-sized cross breed (collie probably crossed with cat given the way she climbs trees and licks herself obsessively). She is now three and very healthy.

Freya is absolutely beautiful :).

P
 
That you all for your lovely comments on Freya. She's my first whippet and I don't think she'll be my last :)

Some really interesting opinions re when to neuter, lots to think about. I'm not going to rush into a decision, and we are visiting Freya's breeder next weekend for a family meet up so will get her to weigh in on the subject as well :)
 
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