Why do some vets spay dogs after first season and prefer before?

Question

HI. I have been asking similar questions re this..but this is really bugging me and I'm so scared as to what to do. Provisionally I have my 9 month old dog booked in to get spayed next week..as she has not gone into her first season yet.
When I was younger, I remember vets always wanting a dog to have at least one season prior to spaying. I realise that, medically, things evolve over the years etc.. however one vet said to me that that they would only do after first season. One said defo before and some others say it doesn't matter??!?! So i'm so confused! I want the best for her..and I know alot of people say definetely do it asap..however I'm just wondering if anyone knows why it has changed and if I allow her to have her first season is that causing her any harm??

Please help..I really don't know what to do for the best..and that's all I want to do:-(

Also..what is the approximate recovery period for them after the op.

Thanks for all your help :-)

Answer 1

Different veys will give f]differing opinions. The reason some say before first seaon is because if the animal has never had a season then the chances of getting cancer (of that area) are so very minimal so minimal they are not meant to be able to. However you also run the chance of ruining your dogs growth and bone structure.

With every season your dog has her chances of getting cancer increase.

Personally I would only ever spay after first season so that my dog can mature properly growth wise and still her chances of getting cancer are very very slim.

To me the risk of cancer from just one season is so slim it isn't worth ruining your dogs bones etc etc etc.

Also if you plan on showing your dog you will need to wait until after first season as if done before she definitely will not grow to be show quality if she has ben bought as show quality.

Obviously showing isnt the be all and end all your dogs health is but I still hand on my heart (and I used to work in a vets) believe let your dog have a season then arange the spay.

The reason for changes over the years is as new vets come thru uni and gain the degree they gain new knowlege and that knowledge is that with each season cancer chances increase.
Recovery time is not long, on day of op when she comes home in the eve kep her quiet, give her light food, chicken, rice or scrambled eggs and dont let he jump up onto furniture etc etc. lead walks or about a week and she will be as right as rain on the morning after her op. Each dog is dif but there i no reason for her not to b back to being herself on the morning after her op.

it really isn't a difficult procedure and anaesthetics these days are so much safer than in days gone by.

We even operate on bunnies a lot these days that is how much safer they are.

Good luck and enjoy your doggy for many many many years

Answer 2

You are right, the vets used to tell us to wait until after the first season to spay a female dog years ago. After the first heat, all the female organs are larger and it's easier for the vet to see everything. This isn't advisable anymore. Most vets are being taught that puppies can be safely spayed/neutered by about 3 months. If the dog is healthy enough to go under anesthesia, it's safe.

Early age spaying, before the dog reaches her first heat cycle, can almost entirely eliminate the risk of certain cancers, such as mammary, ovarian, and uterine tumors and infections. Waiting until after her first heat increases the risk significantly, as much as 50% by the age of two.

Here's an excellent article on early spaying. http://www.ahimsatx.org/easn/easnmm.htm

Another link that explains the entire surgical procedure, with pictures.
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine_spay_operation.htm

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hi. Sounds like you really care for your dog. I've heard a couple of things and also have a dog myself. My partner's dog was spayed before her first season and all that happened was she became slightly more masculine in appearance because of it - she just grew a bit bigger than expected and was a bit more boistrous. As far as I know, nothing much else happens. Get some opinions of a few vets and see what they say. My dog has very erratic seasons and sometimes doesn't have one at all. She is only young and sometimes gets ill right before coming into season. Her vet recently said getting her spayed is the best thing to do as it will prevent furture health problems. I don't know if that's exclusive to her or her breed (she's a border collie) but maybe it applies to all dogs. I'd say just get a few opinions to be on the safe side and maybe do some research on the internet. I'm sure she'll be fine hun, don't worry.

Answer 4

There really are a variety of opinions on the best time (or even whether) to spay. Research is still continuing and nothing is written in stone.

Certainly spaying before the first season will drastically reduce the chances of mammary and ovarian cancers.

It also depends on what you want to do with your dog. For example, if you want to get involved in a sport where she will do a lot of jumping you may wish to wait until she is mature to allow her bones to grow properly.

It also depends on whether you are responsible enough and have the ability to keep a female from getting pregnant while she is in season. If this would be difficult for you, I suggest spaying ASAP.

Answer 5

I have NO idea why they used to say to let them go into one cycle. . .maybe it had something to do with hormones and things . . .but yes, this has evolved. . .I worked at a vet and I saw female dogs that were "intact" and when they got older they would be suseptable to this thing called pyometra. . and it is so gross. . .their uterus gets infected and this bloody pus comes out of their vagina. . . you are doing the right thing -- she doesn't need to go into heat first to be healthy and live a long life. . .she will be back to her old tricks the day after the surgery . .. the day of surgery she will be a little groggy from the anestia and may not eat much. .but the next day -- she'll be fine. . .and if she is a hyper one. . keep her "quiet" for a week or so. . .there is only stitches holding her together . ..and things can happen there too. . .I don't want to scare you. . .just being honest. . .

Answer 6

Not sure about the before or after, our alsation was spayed before & is (5 years on) very happy & healthy. Her recovery was very speedy & we had trouble keeping her quiet next day! She wanted to go out walking already!! (but didn't obviously) Its all down to the particular dog but they recover considerably quicker than we do. Good luck

Answer 7

Spaying before a heat cycle is the best choice and most vets now know that and advise it. The chance of mammary cancer is pretty much eliminated in dogs who are spayed before their first heat. The more heats a dog has the higher the risk becomes and also for pyometrai and other problems.

Answer 8

I work at an animal shelter and we spay as soon as they get in the door.No sense not to.There's no health benefits to having her spayed after her first heat.Many shelters do pediactric spays.2 lb.or/2 months.

Answer 9

You're right to question this.

Look at page 2 of the following article: http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

It outlines specific pros and cons of canine spay/neuter (and there are both) before and after sexual maturity.

Answer 10

Getting your dog fixed before her first heat is fine. The first heat theory is bogus.
As for recovery time. The vet should tell you what to do to keep her comfy and remember, let her resume activity at her own pace. She knows how she feels and all animals react different to being knocked out.