Have I waited too long to spay my puppy?

Question

We were unable to schedule our puppy to be spayed this summer and she has just gone into heat. We will schedule the surgery this fall. We are concerned, however, if we have hurt her by waiting as she will now have the surgery after her first heat.

Answer 1

Well, yes...by waiting until she actually went through a heat cycle, you have caused her odds of having breast cancer later in life to increase significantly. But you can't go back in time now. (Just remember that for your next puppy!!!) Don't fret, however. Since those odds go up even further with each subsequent heat cycle for the first couple of years, you still have plenty of time to help prevent future problems if you make sure to have the surgery done before she goes into heat again.

To those saying 'most' veterinarians recommend waiting until after the first heat cycle to do the surgery.....ummmmm.......NO......that's not true at all, and hasn't been for a long time. We have known for over 30 years that there is a strong correlation between that and developing breast cancer later in life. MOST veterinarians have been recommending doing the surgery BEFORE the first heat cycle for that very reason. Not only that, but it makes the surgery MUCH easier (especially for large and giant breeds), and the dogs recover more quickly and with much fewer complications. The recommended age is 4-5 months. Some surgeons do it as early as 2-3 months, but I prefer to give the liver a chance to develop just a little more before general anesthesia. (That's just a personal preference...hundreds of thousands of pups have been spayed earlier and tracked, with no apparent adverse effects.) If you wait until 6 months of age, there's a chance (depending upon breed/size and time of year), that she'll come into heat before the surgery is scheduled. I perform a LOT of surgery, and that's a common problem in the spring...as well as in winter months when there are unexpected bursts of warm, spring-like weather (like Southern states are prone to experience.)

If she comes into heat, WAIT until she's completely finished before having the surgery done. That does not mean the day she stops bleeding, either. Dogs remain 'in heat' for another 7-10 days after that, then we like a few more days (a week or two is even better) for the hormones to subside and allow things to get 'back to normal' before doing the surgery. Just be SURE you don't let her get bred while you're waiting. That means standing outside with her each time she goes out to go potty. Do NOT rely on a fence alone, or you'll likely end up with a pregnant dog.

Btw....great post, Mustangly.....

Answer 2

While the health benefits are greatest to have a dog spayed before it ever goes into heat, it is still better to have it done anytime. If a dog is spayed without ever having a heat cycle, it will never get mammary cancer, but this chance increases with each cycle - this is why vets recommend spaying at 6 months, before they reach that stage. But spaying anytime still reduces the chances of that, plus eliminates the risk of pyometra & other problems. So, just remember to take her out on a leash in a fenced area, and be careful till she is out of heat. Good luck!

Answer 3

No! Go ahead and get it done... it will be much better for her in the long run... Think about all the girl dogs that end up at the local humane society after they had a litter of pups... most often the humane society will spay them... and obviously they have gone into heat... probably many times before that... Do it soon though... because once they get up in years, the medicine used can do more harm then good...

Answer 4

Wow, deja vu. Don't worry. She will be fine. Many vets prefer to do the spaying before the dogs first heat perhaps in part to prevent accidental pregnancy. My shepherd was done after her first heat but our west highland was done prior. Vets do not like to do it during a first heat as the uterus is very vascular and the chance of complications increases. Good for you having her done. There are so many unwanted puppies.

Answer 5

Truth be told I don't think it matters when you get them spayed, but you do have to wait until after they are like a few months old. She will have to be out of heat for the surgery, if I remember correctly. Ask your vet, they will be more than happy to explain everything for you.

Answer 6

Puppies can be spayed before and after heat...some vets will spay during heat,but don't like to. Git ,er done...as soon as possible. Males can smell a female in heat for miles and you may end up with 'Romeo' on your front lawn!

Answer 7

Most vets recommend waiting until after a dogs first heat for spaying.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I really wouldn't worry~and I give you much praise for getting her spayed. We got ours neutered when he was a little over 6 months. We were told to wait until then but at 6 months he weighed 60 plus pounds and it was really expensive-but worth it all the same. The only thing we wished was different was his temperment. Everyone always says "man your dog is crazy, get him neutered....." HE IS! The day after his surgery he was running around the house and jumping into the windows (not normal behavior at all AND completely against resting orders). We couldn't get him to calm down until about 3 weeks after his surgery. He has calmed down quite a bit but he is still a pup so we expect it. Speaking of he is whining for me to take him out...

Answer 9

no, its no problem. the only thing about waiting is that her chances of cancer skyrocket after each heat. get it done as soon as she goes out of heat to make sure she doesnt have another one before the surgery and have her cancer chances go up even more. one of my dogs had her first one before we got her spayed because we didnt know how old she was when we got her, but she's fine, now she's about 14ish and never had a problem linked to spaying. just get it done soon. i'm surprised they are making you wait till fall tho, i know our vet does 8 a day, so we were on a 2 week waiting list, but thats only 2 weeks, not months, ya know?

Answer 10

I prefer they have one season before being spayed as it allows them to mature and not be all puppy and energy. The hormones of the heat also cause their bones to set which will help offset the chances of CHD later in life. So you haven't waited too long. You did the right thing! Congrats! Do please make sure she doesn't get out or a dog get in as we don't need MORE puppies being brought into this overpopulated world.