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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

To spay, or not to spay

15 replies

billybagpuss · 26/07/2018 14:46

...and if so when and should I track down other vets who offer the keyhole option (mine doesn't)

Billypup is coming up to 6 months. When we first went to see the vet we asked this question and he said there were pro's and cons of having it done before the first period or waiting until after. I was no less confused. I've also asked people on our local dog field who said the pups really struggled the first few days afterwards.

I really don't know what to do for the best, I don't really want to breed from her and I don't really want to deal with periods but her health and wellbeing is my primary concern and I'd really appreciate some views and experiences from the lovely MN doggy mums.

OP posts:

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 26/07/2018 14:55

What breed is she?

I've not looked into the debates in any great detail as DDog came neutered, but I know there's a big debate about bone / joint maturity and spay / neutering in giant breeds.

Original poster

billybagpuss · 26/07/2018 14:59

She's a border collie/retriever cross so will be a decent 'medium' sized dog.

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 26/07/2018 16:59

Basically when is one of those 6 of one half a dozen of the other situations...

Before her first season you significantly decrease the risk of certain cancers, but you increase the risk of joint problems.

And the opposite if you wait until she’s fully mature.

PeterRabbitt · 26/07/2018 17:09

We did our girl before her first season. We were never going to breed her intentionally, didn't want an accidental litter (which is how she came about) and selfishly I didn't want to be cleaning up after a bleeding dog.
We asked two separate vets and they both recommended getting it done before she came into season for the first time. She was quiet and calm for about a day then back to her normal self. Not keyhole surgery either.

Ylvamoon · 26/07/2018 20:41

Let her grow up... wait till she is 18-24 months old.

Original poster

billybagpuss · 27/07/2018 08:01

Thank you all,

@Ylvamoon I have considered this, but just wondered if you have any strong reasons behind it as vet advise seems to be 6 months or after first period.

I called a vet yesterday to enquire about the keyhole option and it does sound much better as they only remove a large part of the Ovaries it costs an extra £60 but far fewer complications and much quicker recovery, also no incision through the muscle wall.

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 27/07/2018 08:09

“but just wondered if you have any strong reasons behind it”

It affects growth hormones and so increases the risk of joint problems.

You realise that with a keyhole spay they can still get pyometra? Which is one of the main reasons I’d spay a bitch anyway...

Ylvamoon · 27/07/2018 09:20

“but just wondered if you have any strong reasons behind it”

... besides growth it will also affect the dogs coat quality, muscle tone and mental state / wellbeing. Plus a 1001 little subtle differences that you will notice if you have had early, late and not neutered dogs.
(To make this easier to understand: compare your 14 year old self with your 20 year old self.)

Original poster

billybagpuss · 27/07/2018 10:21

Thank you again everyone.

tabulahasa the research I've done so far suggests that they can't get pyometra with the keyhole as it is linked to the release of hormone and they remove enough of the ovary to prevent that, but that's definitely one of the questions I will ask thank you.

Thank you too Ylvamoon that does make perfect sense too.

OP posts:

missyB1 · 27/07/2018 10:27

We got our mini Schnauzer spayed at 5 months before her first season. She had one day of being sleepy/ quiet then she was back to normal! Shs's two years old now and we've never seen any issues, she is maturing at a normal rate.

SlothMama · 27/07/2018 11:38

Our breeder recommended that we spay her a few months after her first season, as it's much better for her development. If she doesn't go through this phase of life it can affect growth plates closing. A heat may be inconvenient but her health is paramount to me

tabulahrasa · 27/07/2018 15:51

“they remove enough of the ovary to prevent that”

Not always, it means it’s massively less likely, but occasionally there’s enough ovarian tissue left that it’s still possible.

almondsareforevermore · 27/07/2018 18:52

Actually dogs don’t have periods, they bleed for about ten days then ovulate.
The trend to spay before the first season seems to be passing and many vets prefer to spay after the first season.

Giraffe31 · 27/07/2018 20:19

Ours is 5 months and we were advised to wait after her first season. According to our vet the earlier you spay them the more chance they have of becoming incontinent in later life. As spaniels are particularly prone to incontinence anyway ours advised to wait until after.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 27/07/2018 20:21

I'd always wait until after their first season.

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