When to spay?

[Alyantavid]

We have a Weimaraner puppy who just turned 6 months. We want to have her fixed, but I don't know when the ideal time is. Our vet said after 6 months, so is now good? Do we wait another month or so? They start to come in heat around a year right? So we'd need to do it before that.

[RiverSky]

I think you should do it ASAP. I've heard far too many stories of animals going into heat long before they are 1.

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by RiverSky

I think you should do it ASAP. I've heard far too many stories of animals going into heat long before they are 1.

I was under the impression that you shouldn't do it too early, like before 6 months. I guess we'll be calling the vet.

What happens if you wait until after they've been in heat? I'm not worried about her ending up pregnant, but does it make it harder on the dog?

[Ola_]

I also would do it asap at this point.

Once she goes into heat the risk of mammary cancer goes up, which is why it's better to do it before. Also you'll avoid a mess around the house while she is bleeding. And although you're not worried about her being pregnant, dogs in heat can often get quite determined! As do all the un-neutered male dogs around, you may have all dogs from your neighbourhood congregating in your yard.

[litanyagainstfear]

Dogs and cats from rescues and shelters in my area are generally altered when they hit 2 pounds. Except in certain cases, I haven't run across any compelling reasons to wait.

[greenmagick]

There are pros and cons to doing it early or waiting. Weims arent giant breeds but in breeds like danes and mastiffs it is generally recommended to wait...at 6 months they are nowhere near mature. In males it can negatively affect their growth I know (not meaning they stay smaller...they get too tall).

I spayed my dane at just before 11 months...for many giant breed owners this is still considered early. I would rather a person spay early than have a pregnant dog...but a responsible owner should feel confident in waiting for maturity if that is what they are comfortable with.

[Alyantavid]

I'm officially confused.

I've been researching this and it varies so much. Some people wait until after the first heat, no matter the age. Some wait until the dog has matured (12-24 months), no matter how many heat cycles the dog ends up going through. Some spay as early as 4 months. And all for a variety of reasons. I guess we'll have to talk a little more in depth with the vet.

And out of curiosity, we had our now 10 year old Chesapeake neutered when he was 6 months old. He's enormous. He weighs a ton, but he doesn't look or feel overweight because he's so tall. And he's got major joint issues. Could these all be related? I know Chessies tend to have joint problems and I know his size and age don't help either.

[Oubliette8]

There are a lot of differing opinions on this issue. After reviewing all the studies, I think I would mostly likely allow a female dog at least one heat before spaying. One heat does raise the risk on mammary cancer some, but not dramatically and has some benefits in reducing other health issues. And if your dog has an inverted vulva, one heat is the recommended treatment.

However, I also feel confident in my ability to deal with one heat and protect my dog from an unwanted pregnancy. If a heat is not something you can deal with, than spaying before then is definitely recommended. Dogs may come into heat anywhere from 6 months on, so if you do not want a heat, you should spay now.

6 months is not a "bad" age to spay, but you get benefits by waiting longer. Most of the studies I've read compare dogs spayed as young puppies to those spayed at an older age, and "pediatric" spay does have a higher rate of associated health issue. You are past that window though, pediatric spay/neuter normally refers to programs that spay dogs under a few months of age.

I think this is an issue every owner needs to decide upon for themselves, based on their dog, its breed, and their situation. Here are the articles I've collected on the subject so you can make your own conclusions- its far from convincing one way or the other in the case of female dogs, its more clear cut for neutering of males.

Easy to read, from a vet's website
http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200509.html

Spay specific, a study done in Rottweilers
http://www.gpmcf.org/respectovaries.html

Easy to follow, mostly focuses on canine athletes
http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

Technical and long, but excellent and comprehensive
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongT...uterInDogs.pdf

For pet owners, from a Labrador breeder
http://www.claircrest.com/Problemswi...pay-neuter.pdf

Long and technical but excellent, from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdf...ma.231.11.1665

[lonegirl]

We recommend spaying at 6months of age....anytime after that they can go into heat....and no they don't need to go into heat before spaying. Plus if they are in heat the surgery would have to be put off until fully out of heat.

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by lonegirl

We recommend spaying at 6months of age....anytime after that they can go into heat....and no they don't need to go into heat before spaying. Plus if they are in heat the surgery would have to be put off until fully out of heat.

Yes I do know that.

After more research and talking with our vet, we're going to wait. Thanks for all the opinions and Oubliette8, thanks for the links!

[mom0810]

I would wait. Until at least one year of age. That's what I advise my puppy buyers to do. Spaying alters the growth hormones and she will get very leggy and lanky and stay that way all her life if you spay her too early.

Also, I have had a couple of bitches get ruined by spaying. They become incontinent, develop thyroid problems, and a host of other things. Imagine if you were to have a complete ovohysterectomy. Would it change your hormone balance? Cause trouble with your moods? Possibly cause internal damage? All are totally possible.

I don't take lightly the fact that there are puppies that come along every year (every day?) that are unwanted, but I also don't take lightly the fact that spaying her too early (or at all) could have unwanted and serious side effects.

What does your breeder say about all this?