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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Spaying

10 replies

Auntycorruption · 26/03/2021 11:31

Hi
Looking for experience on spaying. Pup is an 8 month old cocker spaniel.

There is lots online about waiting until after first season but the timing of it all then makes me feel quite anxious. I am leaning towards doing it ASAP then it's done and I don't need to worry.

Factors to consider -

I can't cope with puppies (cute as they may be and as tempting as it is to make several thousand ££!!). My life is busy with work kids and sick husband. Being honest with myself I don't want to cope with puppies on top.

Pup is brilliant - great behaviour, loves other dogs and off lead walks.

Pup goes to daycare with a handful of other dogs. Presume she couldn't go if in season.

The online keyboard warriors make me question spaying before first season but our vet says it's fine. Would do keyhole surgery. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Inthesameboatatmo · 26/03/2021 11:33

Listen to advice from the vets.
If after first season then just dont let off lead for walks

wetotter · 26/03/2021 11:42

Get her spayed on the schedule your vet recommends for the breed.

A lot of dogs were spayed a bit later than original plan last year because of shut down, and waiting until after a first season isn't reallly a problem.

But you are correct, dog walkers and doggy daycare will not accept dogs in season, and during her season she cannot mix with other dogs (on-lead walks at quieter times and only in places where you would not expect to meet any off-lead dogs - eg pavements by main roads). The classic length for a season is 3 weeks, but it can be longer.

Risk of pyometria increases with each season, so don't procrastinate

AbsolutelyCrapuless · 26/03/2021 11:58

Absolutely spay at your vets recommendation. Can always consult another if you’re a bit precious (like me). Our vets try and encourage every dog to be spayed/neutered at 6 months but when we consulted another they said wait a bit longer. We did and she is 9 now no problems. Our second dog was neutered at 6 months but she has some other health conditions and it was a) easier to get a few things done at once for her and b) sensible as due to said health problems needed gentle exercise on and off lead recommended by vets. Didn't want any accidents/ puppies!

ashmts · 26/03/2021 12:20

We've just had our 7mo cocker spaniel spayed. Like you say, I'm almost reluctant to admit it due to the strong opinions some have on waiting till after first season. I read as much as possible about it but ended up going with the vet's recommendation of doing it at this age. For me it boiled down to the definite benefit of no accidental pregnancy (plus not having to handle a season and the practical issues that brings) versus the potential theoretical risks of joint problems/urinary incontinence. I decided to go with the proven benefit.

At 8 months she's probably not far off her first season though so if you want to do it, you should book her in ASAP.

Stellaris22 · 26/03/2021 12:41

Listen to your vet and not Internet opinions, if they're happy to do it now then go for it.

A fellow dog owner had there's spayed before first season and had no issues.

Original poster
Auntycorruption · 26/03/2021 14:01

Thanks all. This really helps! I'm waiting for vet to call me back but I think I'll go for it ASAP.

OP posts:
Original poster
Auntycorruption · 26/03/2021 14:03

@ashmts agree the strong opinions! But then I'm learning that it's a bit like having children - everyone has an opinion, some are very vocal about it, but ultimately we have to decide based on our own circumstances

OP posts:
PollyRoulson · 26/03/2021 15:37

Science really does help to make a decision. Discuss this paper with your vet they should have heard of it. Recommended time to spay depending on breed

This recent well accepted study recommends 2 years for spaying a cocker spaniel due to earlier spaying increasing the risk of cancers in the bitches.

ashmts · 26/03/2021 16:53

@PollyRoulson

Science really does help to make a decision. Discuss this paper with your vet they should have heard of it. Recommended time to spay depending on breed

This recent well accepted study recommends 2 years for spaying a cocker spaniel due to earlier spaying increasing the risk of cancers in the bitches.

I've read that paper. It's one paper though, that's the thing. I'm also not sure about their conclusions. Yes 17% of spayed cockers got mast cell tumours. But 11% of intact cockers got mammary cancer, and 5% got pyo. It's such small numbers it's hard to draw conclusions, I'm struggling to get appendix 1 to open but from what I can see they got their 17% figure from 2 out of 12 dogs spayed between 1 and 2 getting MCT? Is that correct? I also think I can see that 0% of bitches spayed between 6 and 11 months had MCTs. It was actually this paper that made me decide to go with the vet's opinion, that's not particularly robust data. Please correct me if I'm wrong cos as I say I can't get appendix 1 to open on my browser, I've just peered at my phone screen.
PollyRoulson · 26/03/2021 17:08

It is one paper - and there is always the need to discuss your individual situation with a vet.

There were 369 cockers used in the trial

Any paper can be argued either way but a good starting point for discussion.

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