When's best for getting a bitch spayed?

[jenster1976]

There seems to be som much conflicting advice and opinions on when's best to have them done. My Spinone is now 10 months old and yet to have her first season. Was planning on waiting till till she has to have her done, but not sure if it would be a good idea to have her done now, before. What does everyone think?

I was in the same boat as you 18 months ago, however the breeder and a few of my friends with dogs advised to spay after their first season. This is what we did, my lab had her first season April last year she was nearly a year old and we got her spayed in September.

Mine will be getting spayed in May. She is in season at the moment and may is half way through until next season.

Best thing to do is discuss it with your vet.

Thank you - the vets seem to think the earlier the better for some reason, but I feel that it would be better for her to have a season, but not sure if there's enough scientific reason to wait, or would she be happier avoiding the misery of a season?

My vets wouldn't advise either way, was given a leaflet about info if spaying before or after first season. Curious to know why do you say misery of a season?

Well it just seems like a month of not much fun for them, difficult to walk etc and Spins are also known for being quite moody, and PMTy at the time, just wondering whether it might be best to have done before and save her that or if leaving it will give her a boost of hormones etc that she needs ( see don't fully get the science bit!!)

Jenster - is your puppy an Italian Spinone? If so lucky you, they're gorgeous!

Curly and Jax - what is having a puppy in season like? I can't imagine not having walks (we have a smallish garden). Is it as bad as it sounds?

Thank you - - just found the last thread - sill no clearer what to do - I am worried that she's likely to come in to season quite soon, and it sounds like that in itself is a risk if we do it too close..maybe I've left it too late and will have to wait anyway...aaghh, will ring the vets again tomorrow and see what they say now...

Yes - our spinone is fabulous!! Bt quite possibly the dirtiest dog you could imagine (her beard acts like a disgusting sponge!) and a terrible thief, but woulodn't be without her (most of the time!)

The constant mopping up was a pain, thank goodness we have flooring downstairs however she was good at keeping herself clean. We still walked her but kept her on the lead, she wasn't too pleased but hey ho. We made a point of walking her at quieter times. She did seem like she wasn't herself, a bit moody, sulky even and she had a different smell about her too.

I was told that a good indicator that your bitch is coming into season is their vulva swells first. That's what I noticed for about a week or so before the bleeding started, not sure if that's the same for all though.