To spay or not to spay?

Definitely spay and there's no need to wait until after 1st season

Absolutely have your dog spayed if you are not going to breed from her. There are far too many abandoned dogs/puppies in the world.

I've just done this for my dog. You just need to ensure it's done mid-point of her seasons (3 months) as if not a phantom pregnancy can happen, which I've been told could be permanent!

Spay - before first season if possible according to vet

Mollygo, I wouldn't - and don't. It's just not acceptable, to me, to mutilate animals for our own convenience. Of course, our history of drowning strays in the Thames, long ago, led to the ideas of controlling reproduction. Now, we don't allow our dogs to wander free (although things are trickier with cats).

My vet said that there's an increased risk of heart problems with spaying, and cancer without - so swings and roundabouts. There are breed-specific differences too, e.g. a longer life for intact male Golden Retrievers, along with urban myths about 'calming' behaviour (for those too lazy to do thorough training). It's really not too much bother to provide old towels and mop up after a bitch in season - for just a couple of weeks a year, is it? (or maybe just don't keep a pet?).

I think neutering should be illegal here - just as it is in many parts of northern Europe and Scandinavia. Here, it's considered 'responsible' - very strange.

(for info) www.veterinary-practice.com/article/the-neutering-of-dogs-and-bitches-in-the-uk-and-europe

(of course, many vets recommend neutering - they would!)

Rosina

We asked our vet's advice and he said there was no reason that he knew for waiting until the first season was over. We took his advice, and our 6 month old was bright as a button the day after surgery. I'm not sure why one season is ever suggested - can anyone enlighten me?

As I said earlier the dog is still growing during it’s first 12 months. Also, if you spay a dog before it’s first season I don’t you know how you can be sure that she isn’t coming into season and an operation when the blood vessels are filling up ( I don’t know the technical term). in that area is dangerous. I think smaller dogs do mature physically earler than larger dog. As for not spaying them, I think the people who are against it also tend to be the ones opposed to booster vaccinations. I, too was against spaying until my girl nearly died of pyometra. She was very lucky to survive and was never the same dog afterwards. Operating on an older dog with a womb infection is far more dangerous than doing so when they’re young. Phantom pregnancies are quite common and very distressing for them. And a pyometra where there is no show of blood is a killer. I feel guilt over mistakes I’ve made with all of my pets (especially those I had pre internet when I didn’t have access to the same help and information) but my biggest regret is not having my bitches spayed. Just remember some unscrupulous breeders make their money from studding their dogs and it isn’t in their best interest to have the bitches spayed.

I'm appalled at your post Hetty. Make it illegal in the UK to spay or neuter? Do you have the slightest idea how many unwanted puppies and kittens are born every year? Or how many females die during, or as a result of, giving birth? One of my many cats was a female who came to us and gave birth the same day. Obviously seeking a safe place. She developed an infection of the womb shortly afterwards, which would have killed her (and resulted in the death f the kittens)had we not taken her to the vet immediately for treatment, which included spaying. It isn't an operation carried out for our convenience - it's an operation carried out at our expense to prolong healthy life and prevent the birth of unwanted babies.

We all feel guilt Maybee. We learn more with each one and, as you say, we didn't have the internet to guide us back in the day.

In response to Hetty58 I have had 4 dogs, 2 male and 2 female. All have lived long healthy lives well in to their teens, and 3 were Golden Retrievers. All were spayed/neutered………

A word in support of GSM’s outrage that neutering should be made illegal. Very few people neuter for convenience, it’s part of responsible pet ownership.

We have enough people not bothering to neuter their pets now, the last thing we need is more people being discouraged.

My vet didn’t want to spay our Labrador until she had her first season at about 11 months. This is apparently the advice for larger dogs who take longer to develop. My first lab was done at 6 months and was nearly 14 when she died. She always seemed like a puppy and I’ve often wondered if she was spayed too early. I can see the difference with our latest lab.

Yes. Only last week our local FB page was highlighting dogs howling at a house where tge dog was in season. The dogs had picked up the scent from the bottom of a golf course and run through a woodland park to reach the house. Spaying not only saves you from some problems but others too.

There are some ridiculous comments on here. As I said, it's a cultural thing in the UK. There are arguments for and against, so I took advice from my vet.

He sees a lot of disability and shortened lives, caused by early neutering.

Cats that are free roaming are, of course, quite another matter. Nobody here allows their dogs out to mate and reproduce - do they?

Which comments are ridiculous Hetty? Other than your own. A cultural thing? Doing your best for your pet and to prevent the birth of yet more unwanted animals?

Hetty58 No you do let them out to roam free but what do you do when out walking a dalmatien and all the local dogs know. She could also jump high garden fences.

I have 2 rescued Westies. Both females and both have been Spayed. The older one had been a breeding dog and was spayed shortly after the first season she had after I got her. The younger one had been spayed before she came to me. Never regretted any of it.

You've not mentioned the breed or age of your dog.
With larger, heavier dogs it's strongly advised that they're left until they're over 2 years of age. They need time for their joints to strengthen and the growth plates to close. Early spaying can lead to bad skeletal problems in later life.
And all dogs need their hormones until they're mature, at least 18 months.
The trend to spay early is now becoming less popular, thank God, but some vets still seem to advise as young as possible which is just not right for the dogs.
Consider keyhole surgery when your dog is old enough. Less invasive surgery, less recovery time therefore much better for the dog.

GrauntyHelen

Definitely spay and there's no need to wait until after 1st season

There is very good reason to wait until after the first season, and beyond.
Taking away the hormones before a dog has chance to mature is not healthy. They need to go through puberty and come out the other side.
The potential damage done to the joints as the growth plates haven't closed and they need oestrogen and testosterone for this to happen.

Rosina

We asked our vet's advice and he said there was no reason that he knew for waiting until the first season was over. We took his advice, and our 6 month old was bright as a button the day after surgery. I'm not sure why one season is ever suggested - can anyone enlighten me?

When animals are growing, the bone growth takes place from a site at the end of the bones called the growth plate. Sex hormones, like estrogen and testosterone, close the growth plates. If a puppy is spayed or neutered before their bones are done growing, the closure of the growth plates is delayed, sometimes by several months. The result of this is that the dog will get a little taller. We also know that dogs that are spayed or neutered, are more prone to tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knees. It is not known if asymmetrical growth plate closure, or other factors, like the tendency to become overweight after spaying or neutering, is the cause of this predisposition to ACL injury. In an ideal world, dogs wouldn’t be spayed or neutered until their skeleton is fully developed.
Hope you're now enlightened.

Rosina
Early spaying can also lead to early onset arthritis

grannyrebel7

My little girl is 5 months now and we're wondering the same thing. I didn't have my previous dog done, but I remember the mess and inconvenience of her seasons. Like you Mollygo I don't like the thought of putting her through an operation though.

Please wait, for all the reasons I've listed above.

It would be helpful if you could give us your veterinary qualifications Kevincharley.

Germanshepherdsmum

It would be helpful if you could give us your veterinary qualifications Kevincharley.

I haven’t got any links I’m afraid but what he/she has said is correct.