best age to have a dog spayed?

Question

Hi,
I have a Stafffy cross dog and when i took her to vets to be chipped the vet told me she could be spayed from 6 months, which i was keen to do, so we are not even taking ANY chances, but when i called the vets to book her in, the receptionist told me i had to wait til she had her first season and then 3 months after. I explained what the vet told me and she was adamant it was wrong. I was gobsmacked as i thought the vet would know better that her as he would be more qualified.
I do not want to take her to another vet as we have been with this vet for ages and i would prefer her to be with a vet i know and trust.
Does anyone know what the best time or earliest time to have dog spayed?
Thanks

Answer 1

Not to be rude, but there is a reason she is answering the phone and it's not because she has a degree in vetinary medicine. The vet is right and the receptionist should be made aware of her mistake as her ill-advised advice may cause a problem for an animal one day...if it hasn't already.

Answer 2

There are many reasons for waiting until your dog is older - the most obvious is that any anaesthetic carries a risk and the more mature your female is, the better she will be able to cope with the anaesthetic. As you don't know exactly when your b1tch is going to come into season, having her spayed at 6 months means she could just be coming in which again increases the risk due to the increase in the size of the blood vessels and amount of blood around the uterus.
Spaying a b1tch before she is 6 months is like giving a 10 yr old a hysterectomy - she will never mature either physically or mentally.
There are many arguements as to the best time to spay - you have to make up your own mind. Have a read of this before you do though!
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

Answer 3

Different vets have different opinions on this, which is where the confusion may have arisen.
There is a link between spaying a female dog before her first season and the development of urinary incontinence. This is why some vets prefer to spay a female dog after her first season. Some however prefer to spay before as the operation is slightly easier and carries slightly less risk to the female dog. It also removes the risk of the female dog becoming pregnant on her first season.
It is a fairly routine procedure though so the risk is small whenever it is performed.
If she is allowed to have her first season the womb must be allowed to fully settle down before the operation is performed. We usually say 6 weeks after, but as most bitches have at least 6 months between seasons 3 months is a reasonable interval.

Answer 4

What?!?
I am sorry to contradict a Vet that you have an obvious relationship with... but WHAT?!
I just do not understand a vet advising that a female dog go through a heat cycle before a spay. To spay before the first heat cycle has been proven again and again to reduce later reprouctive cancers. All of that aside. To make you wait through her first heat takes the chance that she could get pregnant (although minimal as you sound like a very good owner). Accedent happen.
You do not have to go to another vet. But please call around and get the advice of other vets. I am not a vet but I have worked as a vet tech for several years under various vets and have never heard such as what you have just said.
Good luck to you.
~Tyed~
Just to give you some more info:

The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association are just two professional organizations that support pediatric spaying/neutering. Veterinarians at the ASPCA have been neutering all shelter animals who weight at least two pounds before adoption. Yet despite the research, testimonials, anecdotal information and endorsements, the controversy continues.

Answer 5

The receptionist is dead wrong and I would ask for the vet to call you when you call again without getting into it with the receptionist. Dogs can be spayed as early as 8 weeks and 3 lbs weight (as is done at many shelters), but 4-6 months and always BEFORE the first season is typical as it provides the greatest protection against cancer later on. Then discuss this receptionist and her comments with your vet. She should not be contradicting her boss.

Answer 6

Your vet was absolutely right and this receptionist doesn't know what she's talking about. Even if for some reason you chose to let your dog have her first season before getting her spayed, you do not wait for 3 months after.

Just call again and make the appointment. It's actually to your dog's benefit, health-wise, to be spayed before her first season.

Answer 7

I took my puppy to the vets on Friday and she told me the best time to get her spayed was around 6 months and BEFORE her first season. So I'll be getting her done as soon as she is 6 months. If you're still in doubt, speak to other veterinary surgeries and see what they say.

Answer 8

The receptionist is retarted. You can have your dog spayed after 6 months. You have to atleast wait that long. Most won't even have their first heat cycle until a year old or older. Just call back and make the appointment and if she gives you a load of bull again ask to speak to the vet himself. That will get her buzzing...LOL.

Answer 9

All the vets we've ever been to have advised to wait until after the first season. This allows them develop properly hormonally, I think. Most people can withstand one season, and not end up with a pregnant dog.

Answer 10

Call into your vets and ask to speak to the vet. Their not god .they will talk to you,
And yes the receptionist was way out,your dog should be spayed at 6mths, providing she is big enough.
Its the vet who will advise NOT the moron behind the counter,
If your not happy with the practise.most rescue centres will spay her for a fraction of the cost. ring around.