Having a puppy spayed?

Question

We are lucky enough to be getting a Weimaraner puppy. She will not be with us until November.

We are wanting to get her spayed as we will never be breeding her and know that it would be bettter for her general health to do this.

Couple of questions:-

1. How old should she be before we have it done?
2. How much approx would it cost (Manchester, UK).
3. Do you think we should get her microchipped?
4. How long does it take for them to recover after they have been spayed?
5. We are crate training her and want a crate with a divider in so that it will be small whilst she is small and bigger when she grows up. Anybody know where we can get one at a reasonable price?
6. What toys would you suggest - I have heard that Kong dog toys are really good and wonder if anybody has ever used these with their dog.

Many thanks in anticipation for your help.

To the Pig Burple One....
I am crate traning because I know that it is good for them. It creates a safe haven when you are not there. It is nothing about "not being bothered" to train properly! I am an animal lover and would never ever not train a dog properly and do research before getting one.

Answer 1

1. Vets vary as to when they say is best, but before the first heat cycle. Ask your vet for what they recomend for the exact age.

2. I dont live in manchester but at our local pets at home its £75. However there are some charitys that will help with the cost of this.

3. Yes. if your dog gets lost or stolen its easy to remove a collar, but a microchip would mean she could be returned to you.

4. I would say a few days to a couple of weeks to totally recover, as long as you dont let her bite/scratch the stiches.

5. Try joining your local Freecycle yahoo group - someone may have a spare one they will be willing to pass along. I not buy a full sized crate and use a piece of metal, plastic or smooth wood to divide it.

6. Kongs are good, but any treat ball type toy works just as well for most dogs, squeeky toys, chewwy toys like nylabones to help with your puppys teething, ropes, balls... Our puppy will play with anything, his favorites being a furry purple monkey teddy and a squeeky hedgehog!

Answer 2

1. How old should she be before we have it done?
I would get her spayed between 4-6months old. I got my dog neutered at 4months. His Best friend is a Weim and she was done at i think 5months.

2. How much approx would it cost (Manchester, UK).
Im not sure about the cost in the UK, but in the US can be anywhere from $45-$150. Depends on where you go. If you have a local ASPCA they will spay/neuter at a low cost. My dog was neutered for $25(a male) at the ASPCA.

3. Do you think we should get her microchipped?
YES, I got my dog chipped at 4 months as well. I think it is awesome. If they get lost and picked up by animal control they can just scan them and call you. Or if someone finds them they can take them to the vet and have them scanned.

4. How long does it take for them to recover after they have been spayed?
Usually just a couple days...or if it was my dog an hour...lol. Try to keep her calm and relax and not let her jump.

5. We are crate training her and want a crate with a divider in so that it will be small whilst she is small and bigger when she grows up. Anybody know where we can get one at a reasonable price?
You could try your local pet stores or also EBAY.

6. What toys would you suggest - I have heard that Kong dog toys are really good and wonder if anybody has ever used these with their dog.
Kongs are great. My dog loves Treat Balls. Its a ball that you can fill with treats and as they play with it or push it around on the floor the treats fall out. Keeps him busy! Also plush toys with the squeakers. Tennis balls. Bones are also good. They keep their teeth healthy. And keep them busy if you are trying to do something!

Congrats and good luck with your new puppy! Weims are beautiful dogs. My friends have one, Lola, she is a wild and crazy thing, lol. he mom calls Lola her "wild child".

Answer 3

You should get her spayed at six months, approx costs vary could be about £100..You are better getting a crate large enough for her to stand up and turn round when she is adult right from the start, vet bed at the front papers at the back of the crate so the pup is not running through its own mess to see you in the morning.Clean every day with milton spray..
Microchipping is responsible, so go ahead..You need to microchip in Ireland before you can register a litter..A kong is good together with a few squeeky soft toys, I buy soft toys at charity shops, wash them, and allow the pups to play with them and eventually shred them..The pups get toys.which they enjoy the charity shops get some funds and you win because you do not need to pay the ridiculours prices charged for soft toys in pet shops. Dogs recover pretty quickly after being spayed, restrict walks for a week or so and if required the vet may prescribe metacalm do not need to pay the ridiculour prices charged for soft toys in pet shops.

Answer 4

Hi! Congratulations on your new pup! You sound like you'll be a great pet owner.

To answer your questions:
1.) Many vets recommend dogs get spayed/neutered at around 6 months of age, before their first heat.
2.) In the US, it costs around $250-$300. I have no idea what vets charge in the UK.
3.) Microchipping is a FANTASTIC idea! This is something you can have done either as soon as you get her, or when you get her spayed. Many people prefer to have the microchipping done when they're spayed because the needle is big, and the dog sleeps through it.
4.) It will take her approximately 24 hours to totally process the anesthesia before she's completely "awake" -- many vets will require dogs stay overnight at the hospital after the spay to keep them quiet and calm while they're still "waking up". After she goes home, try to keep her calm for 10-14 days after the surgery. This means no running, jumping, playing, horsing around, and leash walks only to go potty.
5.) Unfortunately, this is another one I can't answer.
6.) I've heard great things about Kong toys, though some dogs can tear them up pretty easily, despite their being "indestructable". Any toy is fine, as long as you keep an eye on her when she's playing with them.

Hope some of that helps.

Answer 5

1 - I'd wait until 6-8 months, but some vets will suggest 4 months, because a dog can get pregnant at that age. When you take the pup for her first shots you can ask then.
2 - Depends on the vets, mine charges £50-80 depending on size, but some will run free spay clinics or reduced cost spays. Again, ask at your first appointment.
3 - Of course, if your dog gets stolen and doesn't have a microchip it can be sold on and you'll probably never see her again, and of course, if she does stray you'll get her returned much quicker with a chip in. Its painless and takes about 2 seconds.
4 - About a week before they stop being grumpy, but she may be a bit sore in the area for a few weeks, you just have to treat her a little more gently at that time.
5 - Ebay always works for me, otherwise, wilsons pets, petsathome, any big chain should carry them.
6 - Kongs are brilliant, I've used them a lot, but take your puppy to a pet shop, she'll tell you which ones she likes. Just a word of advice, any gun dog type will love ripping toys apart, so you may need to replace them often or buy stronger toys.
Good luck with your puppy!

Answer 6

I believe she will have to be at least 6 months before a Vet will spay her, don't hold me to that but I believe that is right. The cost is usually not too expensive. My Vet has a spay and neuter day he charges $50 for males and$100 for females. You should call around and price it out. If I remember correctly the recovery time was not all that long, the main thing is making sure the incision does not get infected. The Kong toys are good I have used them for my dogs and they loved them!

Answer 7

your puppy could be spayed before she gets a season at about 6 months and depending on what financial situation you are in to the cost i know my daughters very small jack russell x cost £126 for a spay if you are on benefits or low income if you contact the dogs trust they can help with the cost also definitely go for the microchip as if she ever does get lost or stolen it can be easier to find them the normal time for recovery of spay is ten days. puppies love most type of toys what suits one doesnt always suit another so maybe try a few different ones and maybe try ebay for a cage as you may pick one up a lot cheaper there hope this helps

Answer 8

Having your puppy spayed before her first season isn't necessarily in her best interests. Weimaraners are fairly big dogs and take longer to mature than many breeds. I would wait until she has had her first season when she will have had time to mature both physically and mentally. Here's some recent findings on the effects of early neutering:
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf
Best way to find out how much it costs is to ring around vets in your area (prices do vary considerably depending on area & size of dog)
Definitely get her microchipped!
If you want a crate which will also fit in your car, go to Croft Engineering near Chorley- you can try it out there then too.
http://www.croftonline.co.uk/sitepage/FindusPage.html
Good Luck with your puppy.

Answer 9

1.I have a springer who I had spayed for the same reasons, not planning to breed and health in later life. One thing to check with your vet though, I had her spayed at 8 months, she hadn't had a season at this point, but the vet didn't have a problem with this, however now at 2 1/2 years she has started to suffer from spay incontinence, which apparently is very common in dogs spayed not having a 1st season. I unfortunately wasn't told this at the time, or I may have left it a little later had I known. She is perfectly ok, but just needs hormone tablets now for the rest of her life. They're the experts though so double check.
2. It cost £120
3. Defo get microchipped, they are desirable dogs. The RSPCA do at a discounted rate.
4. My springer was running around the next day like nothing had happened! Took 10 days before stitches came out.
5. Didn't crate train.
6. Kongs are great especially for intelligent dogs like Weim's - hide treats in them, or smear a bit of peanut butter or soft cheese inside and watch them lick at it for ages! In the summer I put them in the freezer as well with water in, so it was like a ice pop for her when it was hot!
Good luck with your pup, enjoy!

Answer 10

1. Age - Talk to your local vet. You can get her spayed in the first few months. And you should get her spayed before she is 6 months old. Be sure to get a good vet to make sure it is done correctly.
2. In the US, it costs about $100 - $250, depending on the size of the dog.
3. I have my dog microchipped, because he can get away. It is not expensive, and provides good insurance.
4. Spaying seems to be more of a problem for the owner than the dog. Make sure to ask the vet detailed questions. But the stitches will be in for a week, and yoyu have to keep her quiet, and can't let her lick or chew the area. The VEt should schedule a follow-up to remove the stitches or examine the area, if the stitches are internal. The dog will be sore for about 3 days, but will want to be active. The dog should be competely fine after two weeks.
5. Crate - That is a local issue, but you might buy the large crate, and ask someone to cut a piece of plywood and a 2 x 4 to fit.
6. Kongs are very good, as are hard rubber chew toys. You might look at books and tapes by Ian Dunbar... for good suggestions. For a weimer, you might want lots of tennis balls, because they like to retrieve. A soft frisbee might be nice.