2006-09-06 03:19:51 · 26 answers · asked by jc 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
A recent study stated that if you spay your dog before it's first heat she will have a 200% less chance* of developing mammary & cervical cancer later on in life. If spayed after the first heat and before the second than there is a 13 times less likely chance^ of mammary cancer. Mammary cancer is the biggest killer of intact females, bar none. Now add in mastitis, uteral and ovarian cancer, vaginal prolapse to the mix. Spaying eliminates all of those.
Many people believe that if a female is spayed before its first heat its muscular development will be delayed while bone development increases leading to a female that might be taller than its siblings with less muscles. If she has her first heat then she will develop her muscules 'normally' and won't be unusally taller than her siblings.
Over 20 years I have seen females that were spayed before and after the first heat and there has been no rhyme or reason on what is better when it comes to the females final body outcome. The only thing that has held constant is that those that were spayed before the first heat did NOT develop mammary cancer while some of those that were spayed after a few or more heats did.
I have witnessed many spayings, most without any complications, and it is a major one. BUT a young dog heals from operations with or without complications much quicker the younger they are. Especially in the first year of a dog's life where their cells are reproducing at an exponential rate. A 5 month old puppy will recover faster than a 10 month old puppy as the latter's cells don't reproduce as fast as the formers.
Ultimately it becomes a personal decision. Do you want the chance of your 6 month pup possibly becoming pregnant by accident? Do you want to put up with the blood for a 2-3 weeks that may or may not show up? Do you want a speedier recovery? Answer those questions truthfully and you will come to your own conclusive answer.
2006-09-06 07:53:21 · answer #1 · answered by Charis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going through a heat with a dog IS a major event. Male dogs appear from the wood work and camp out in your yard.
Hormones affect the developement of the growth plates. Spaying removes all hormones. Females spayed before age one have a male look to them as an adult.
The experts say that it is better for the long term growth and developement of the dog to wait until the dog is around one. But at least wait untill around six months.
2006-09-06 11:00:27 · answer #2 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should definitely spay a dog before her first heat. It dramatically reduces the chances of getting mammory tumors and uterine infections since the estrogen associated with the first heat is what increases the chances. The more times the dog goes into heat before it is spayed, the greater the chances of the dog developing something.
2006-09-06 13:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by Jen R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends. Female dogs hormones do not settle at the adult level until after their first season. The best time to spay is three months after their first season when all their hormaones have settled down...some vets recommend before the first season, others after,,it depends on your preferences, but do you think it fair for a four month old dog to go through such strong surgery..cos it is a big op and there could be all sorts of complications that alot of vets will not tell you about. I'd wait peraonally til the dog is fitter and stronger after the first season..its safer
2006-09-06 12:31:03 · answer #4 · answered by wolfstorm 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My vet recommended doing it before her first season. They used to say it was best to give them one season but not anymore, that's old fashioned. Why wait? She won't know any difference. My dog was spayed at 7 months and we never had any problems.
2006-09-06 11:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by koolkatt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a female dog is spayed before her first heat cycle, her risk of developing breast cancer is only 0.05%. If she is spayed after having only one heat cycle, her risk of breast cancer jumps to 8%. If she is spayed after her second heat cycle, that risk becomes 26%... that's more than 1 in 4! Spaying a dog after her third heat cycle may reduce the risk of mammary carcinoma (breast cancer) but not appreciably. Also, there are the messy cycles, stray dogs in the neighborhood. One preventative surgery is much less expensive than paying for surgery and medicine for a life-threatening condition, not to mention the suffering of your pet.
2006-09-06 10:31:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To get the most health benefits spay before the first heat.
2006-09-06 10:32:54 · answer #7 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before - it is easier, better for her health & sometimes cheaper. If done before she is ever in heat, the uterus is small, but after even 1 heat it stays slightly larger & some vets charge more, as it is more involved to remove. Each time a dog comes in heat, the chances of getting mammary cancer later (in older age) increases. So it is best to do it at 6 months of age or before!
2006-09-06 10:25:36 · answer #8 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most vets advise allowing the dog to have her first season before spaying
2006-09-06 10:25:50 · answer #9 · answered by Gary H 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes,you should definately spay a dog after its first season because if you live in a neighborhood with a dog park, strays, or other dogs you should.
2006-09-06 10:25:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋