To spay now or after her first seaso

[NewPuppyMum]

DDog is a golden retriever and almost seven months.

We were going to have her done at six months, as per the vet's advice but then another staff member suggested we let her have a season first.

Neighbour suggests the same as her dog had bladder trouble after being done. They have allowed their new dog to have a season and as it was easy they are allowing another before she gets done. They've said better for her development.

A lady today has said no benefit to letting her have a season. She was very forceful in her advice on many subjects and I felt annoyed I felt I had to justify some decisions. Need to work on that. She described what happens when a boy dog does the necessary and how traumatic it will be for my dog. It did sound horrific. She also said many dogs have bladder trouble and treatment is drops in their food.

I also feel bad about a month on lead very early and late for her as she loves to be free and would not like going out in the dark.

There was blood in her bed a few weeks ago. Dh thought teeth related though I'm not sure. She's started doing little wees which could be a sign she's starting. Last week a boy dog tried his luck but the owned said my dog wasn't in season, he just liked her. Someone else has suggested she may have had her season and finished.

We are certain she is not having puppies. I want to do the best thing for her but when everyone says different how does one know which the best option is?

I'd be very grateful for any advice. Thank you 🐕

We do have a long retractable lead. I'd forgotten about it as she hates it but we'll have to try her on it again as it will give her a bit more freedom.

I have a 5 year old whippet bitch. She is intact but will be spayed shortly.

We have managed her seasons quite easily. There are only a couple of days they are actually fertile and will accept a dog anyway. She isn't particularly messy or distressed by her seasons.

The reason we waited was we wanted her to be at least 2 before spaying. Then I had ds and didn't want to be looking after a baby and a recovering bitch post op in case there were any complications. The baby was toddling around and I was worried about him maybe falling on her post op etc. Was going to have her done last summer but just at the time she would have been done she had an injury that required surgery so didn't want to put her through more surgery.

She has just had her season again so will be booked in for May.

I always say opinions are like arseholes. Everyone has one but the only one that is really important is your own. 😉

Glad you are going to wait and let her mature to her full potential.

I have owned entire bitches for over 30 years. Never once had an unwanted mating, a bit of care is required for a few weeks a year. I don't know when we got to this stage that required babies to be neutered, thinking that either spayed or pregnant are the only options?!

I find most standard pet shop tablets useless, but I have to say there is some merit to the 'veterinary deodorant' tablets during seasons to lessen interest. I think they are made by Sherleys or Andrews. Those and a bit of a sense about where you walk, and you shouldn't have any issues.

This is one of the research papers I have read, Long Term Health Effects of Neutering.

Our lady Lab was spayed after season two because she had congenital elbow defects requiring surgical correction. This happened when she was 10 months old; we then had her spayed six months later, to prevent passing on her problems but after an interval to recover from the anaesthetics involved in diagnosis and surgery. I would have had her spayed earlier if we hadn't needed the elbows doing urgently, probably after season one, which was the vet's recommendation.

I'm still thinking about the horror story I was told yesterday. Is that really how it would be?

OP you will always find horror stories about everything.

However, by waiting until she has matured at least, you are doing the right thing.

I think we have decided we will wait, just not when she'll be done. Is their an optimum age and also, the lady at the vets told us about a jab she could have a week apart if she is caught by a male dog. Morning after pill for dogs. Does anyone know anything what that too?

It's unlikely she'll be caught. As a GR she likely won't have a season til 10-12 months of age - just keep an eye on her 'bits' but you don't need to keep her on lead til she's spayed.

Once she shows any swelling of /licking at her genitals, leash her and keep an eye. Entire make dogs are relatively unusual and young unneutered dogs aren't hugely sexually confident so you'll usually be able to manage the situation as long as you're fairly vigilant and keep her under control.

If she does get caught then the 'misalliance' jab should prevent unwanted pups

A bitch will only allow mating for a couple of days, about ten days into her season, so best to keep her in your garden then and on her lead in case she scales the fence.
It's extremely unlikely that she will get accidentally mated if you take proper precautions. Walk her well away from other dogs, always on the lead for the whole three weeks.

So far she's not in season and had a lovely long walk with her doggy friend today.

Thank you for all your advice.

I'm making dh check her bits every day .