Puppy Spaying?

Question

I got my puppy from an animal rescue shelter and I got a form saying that the spaying was paid for, but I had to have it done in 30 days. I called to make an appoinment for it and asked first at what age it is usually done and they said 4 months. I told her about the 30 day form I'd received and she asked if it was from a shelter. When I told her yes, she said "Oh, that's okay. They do that and it's fine." So they scheduled her for next Saturday.

However, last night at a local pet store I was talking to the clerk and she said at my puppy's age that her immune system is not built up enough that if her stitches were to get infected she could very well die. Now I'm worried. Should I call the vet and see if I can postpone, go ahead with it? Has anyone else had to spay or neuter their animal before 4 months? TIA

Answer 1

As you can see, this is a topic on which even veterinarians don't agree. Many are of the opinion that there is no problem with pediatric and jeuvenile spaying, others think that it may cause hormone and growth problems. Since it's a (relatively) new procedure the jury seems to be still out. I suggest doing research on the procedure and making your decision from that.

Answer 2

I got a older puppy from a shelter - she was estimated to be 4-1/2 months old at the time. They sent her to a university that had a Veterinary program and the students did the spaying. (My regular veterinary asked if she had gone through that when he examined her later - he recognized the loooooong scar!)
She ended up getting a mild case of just about every disease she was vaccinated against and it made a serious impact on her health in her later years.
I''ve since heard and read the advice you mentioned and I certainly agree with it! There's a age before which spaying may cause, or contribute to, some serious health issues. In fact, I've heard it's wise to delay until 6 months. It may depend on the breed and size of the dog.
Look around the web on some veterinarian sites for some more advice and good luck with your new pup!
Not everyone who answers the phone at the vet's office IS the vet!

Answer 3

More and more vet's are spaying and neutering starting at 8-12 weeks. It is rare but some pup's can come into thier first heat before 4 months and get pregnant. The shelter is trying to prevent that. I am surprised the shelter released the dog not being spayed. Your pup should be fine, make sure to follow the Vet's instructions to a "T" this will ensure that your pup will have a speedy recovery.

Answer 4

Many dogs have been spayed before 4 months. The vet knows what they are doing. Is there a chance of infection? Yes, no matter the age of the dog. You just keep an eye on the stitches and don't let the pup lick or chew them. If they start to look worse instead of better call the vet. Your pup will get much better health benefits by doing it early, before the first heat.

Answer 5

Puppies that are spayed very young, especially small puppies, tend to have problems with spay incontinence. It is better to wait until they are at least 6 months.

Many dogs given up to shelters are given up because of spay incontinence. I wish the shelters were as concerned about owner retention as they are about preventing unwanted litters, I think owner retention is just as much to blame for overpopulation as unwanted litters. IMO shelters are adding to the homeless dog problem by insisting puppies be altered so young, many people will not keep a dog that leaks urine all over the house.

You need to go to better places for information. Pet store clerks and shelter employees know little or nothing about dogs, and, except for a handful of people, there is alot of terrible advice given here. Take her to a puppy class, you can learn alot. I would stay away from classes at Petco and Petsmart though, most of the 'trainers' they have are in the know little or nothing catagory.

Answer 6

The clerk at the local pet store is not a veterinarian. She is a minimum wage employee who happens to like animals and thinks she knows something about them. The vet went to college for seven years to learn about these things. The store clerk may not have even graduated high school.

Listen to the vet. Taking pet health care advice from a store clerk is like taking pet health care advice from strangers on the internet. If the vet says it's okay, it's okay.

Answer 7

A good time to spay your dog is around 6 months. My dachshund is 6 months old right now, and we're getting her spayed next month. I don't recommend 4 months, even if you don't have to pay for it. Owning a dog takes responsibility, time, AND money. But you should still call the vet first and make sure. Good luck!

Answer 8

I adopted a puppy that was 7 WEEKS OLD. They spayed her before I could take her. Your lucky that they trusted you enough to let you take her without having it done first.

My dog is almost 2 now and is healthy and happy, but that's not to say that its right. I would talk to the actual Vet and see what the doctor says and not the women that answers the phones.

Answer 9

Shelters spay and neuter young dogs all the time. I'm sure the woman at the vet knows more than a pet shop clerk, and I'm sure it's alright.

Answer 10

It's better to have a female dog spayed before her 1st cycle. Less chance of her getting breast cancer. It does not hurt them and it increases her chance at a healthier life. I read the answer about students who done that and seemed to get a dog sick. First time I have ever heard that and it never hurt any of my animals. If it is a regular vet I don't see a problem.