My son found a stray dog about six months ago. I think it was only maybe a month or two old at the time. Is it ok to get her fixed now so she can't have puppies or should I wait until maybe in the spring??
2007-01-16 04:16:09 · 25 answers · asked by antsy 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The season of the year is of no concern. After 30 years and dozens of dogs, I have found it best to wait until the female dog has gone into heat for the first time, usually about 6-8 months. Many times it is hard to tell when they come into heat because not all bitches have a lot of discharge during heat. This is called "silent heat". It is especially difficult in the outside dog. The best way to tell is by looking at the genital area. If it is swollen then you can be assured she is in her cycle. My experience has been that if you spay too early the dog will be more apt to keep the undesirable "puppy" habits such as chewing and hyperactivity. This is also true for the male dog, the undesirable "puppy" habits that is. Male dogs should be neutered about 6-8 months also. Check with your current veterinarian to see what he/she recommends.
2007-01-16 04:40:30 · answer #1 · answered by pasgh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The average age to have a dog spayed or neutered is 6 months old. It is not necessary to let her go through one heat cycle as some suggest. I suggest taking her to the vet so that he can determine what age she really is. At 6 months of age, the organs are big enough that they are easily removed and the dog is old enough to handle the anesthesia. If she was 2 months old when you found her and you've had her for 6 months, you are safe to have her spayed. As a matter of fact, I'd do it as soon as possible so that she doesn't go into heat. A female in heat is a messy, smelly time that you really don't want to get involved with. I've known male dogs to jump over 6 foot fences to get at a female in heat so that means she needs to be inside for 3 weeks and always supervised out side.
Good for you for having her spayed! She won't add to the ever growing population of unwanted pets! Kudos to you!
2007-01-16 04:26:58 · answer #2 · answered by k9 trainer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most vets in private practice spay and neuter dogs at six months of age. However, shelter vets routinely spay/neuter as early as 6 weeks! Shelter vets have been doing this for years with no problems. Shelters have to alter the animals early so they can be adopted quickly and no shelter will let you take un unaltered animal home. Private practice vets usually wait until 6 months since they are less experienced in using general anesthesia in pups younger than 6 months.
At any rate, you think your dog is 7 months old so yes, by all means get her spayed! That way you will not have to worry about her having a discharge with her heat cycles or accidentally getting pregnant. Also, vets recommend that girl pups be spayed before their first heat since this lowers their risk of breast cancer later in life.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/why_you_should_spay_or_neuter_your_pet.html
2007-01-16 04:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Rags to Riches 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It used to be six months of age, but now puppies and kitties are getting fixed as young as 2 or 3 months. I adopted a kitten from a shelter that was fixed at 2 months of age. Check with your vet to see what s/he practices.
2007-01-16 04:21:26 · answer #4 · answered by Lady J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some vets will do the procedure at 4 months, so prefer 6 months. Either way, sounds like the puppy is plenty old enuf to have it done. I wouldn't wait and see your vet to have it done asap. Have you taken the pup in for a general exam. Always a good idea to do this if you intend to keep it.
2007-01-16 04:34:46 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope, get her done at around 6-9 months, thats when my vet will do them, however it depends what size she is. Your vet may only spay after the first season, there is no need for this, but some refuse to do it until after this point, just ask. Just make sure you keep her away from other dogs when she is in season!
Good luck, x
2007-01-16 04:28:18 · answer #6 · answered by Little Red Riding Hood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i did not recognize that!!! And, in spite of each thing those years in the interest, i'm surprisingly taken aback. i've got merely checked my very own substantial Breed club's 'familiar Code of Ethics' and the place i'm particular it used to state no b itch could be mated before 2 seasons (I seem to undergo in ideas 15 months being reported, yet even it is too youthful, for me) i can not discover any time-physique reported there now the two. and that's surprisingly annoying and it may be something i pass advance with the Committee ....... maximum respected breeders won't mate a b itch till she's a minimum of two years even with the undeniable fact that. yet what an unethical breeder could do, it particularly yet another element. something else the KC could tackle me thinks.
2016-12-16 06:02:41 · answer #7 · answered by lacross 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get a dog fixed at about 6 months old. I would consult your Vet to make sure.
2007-01-16 04:19:50 · answer #8 · answered by tchem75 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can spay her now, the vets like to wait til theyre around 6 months old so that the ovaries and all that are big enough and the operation is safer.
2007-01-16 05:28:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to get your pet Spayed-DON'T WAIT TILL HER FIRST HEAT!!!!! My vet told me that once she goes into heat, she doubles her chances of having all the problems HUMAN WOMEN have issues with (uterine cancer, and things of that nature) I was told that it was best that you do it before the first heat, between 5-6 mos old if you can. If you wait just after her heat the uterus is engorged with blood and risk of bleeding during the spay is quick high, so it is better to wait. I would check with your vet.
2007-01-16 09:50:26 · answer #10 · answered by Joy Y 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋