When is best to spay a pup?

[Canadianrotti]

Our little girl is now 5 m/o and there is no question as to have her fixed or not, it is just a matter of when. I have had a variety of answers from many people as to what they feel is best. Our vet said any time after 5 m/o old is fine, some say to wait a little while longer so that she can develop more. We are not concerned with her size or correct proportions for showing, our top concern is health for our little girl. :)

[Wookie'sMom]

I don't think there is a "right" time other than before her first heat. My Wook came to us spayed at 3 1/2 months. I seem to recall that females being spayed doesn't affect growth and development like neutering does in males. Maybe someone else has more complete information about that.

[babybluetx23]

I dont know about female dogs, but I know my vet told me that for males the best time is when their *AHEM* testicles drop. (Can I say that?) heheh I used the scientific term JUST so I wouldnt get in trouble.

[Canadianrotti]

Raelin will be 5 m/o on the 15th, which is tomorrow and we have her sched to be fixed in the morning. Unfortunatley she will not be home for her b-day because they are keeping her overnight :( . Because of our training night being Wednesday, we need to give her 4-5 days to recover before going to class again.
I spoke with a friend of mine who has a 9 m/o pup and just went through her first heat. What a mess and a real pain, I am glad I wont have to go through that!!! :p

[Dominey]

I am getting a female pup in a few weeks, and I was hoping to get her spayed as soon as possible, however my vets policy is not to spay until after the first heat... they say there is an increased likelihood of incontinence in females if they are spayed too young.
Has anyone else here heard anything similar? This is the only reason I have come across to wait until after the first season... everything else I've heard is to spay as young as possible as they recover quicker.

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Dominey

I am getting a female pup in a few weeks, and I was hoping to get her spayed as soon as possible, however my vets policy is not to spay until after the first heat... they say there is an increased likelihood of incontinence in females if they are spayed too young.
Has anyone else here heard anything similar? .

Yes this is true. It does increase the risk of incontinence but that is usually a mild thing that can be taken care of if it happens. I'm very proud your vet shared that information with you. If you want your dog fixed and are at any risk of unwanted litters I would not let the fear of incontinence stop you. Otherwise, if you can be responsible, wait till you and your vet both feel the time is right.

[Canadianrotti]

Just droped Raelin at the vet to get her fixed, it is going to be quiet and lonley around the house for the next 36hrs. :(

[Dominey]

Originally Posted by Burnsway

Yes this is true. It does increase the risk of incontinence but that is usually a mild thing that can be taken care of if it happens. I'm very proud your vet shared that information with you. If you want your dog fixed and are at any risk of unwanted litters I would not let the fear of incontinence stop you. Otherwise, if you can be responsible, wait till you and your vet both feel the time is right.

Wow, thanks Melissa, I was dreading a response that I should find a new vet (as I am very happy with these vets). I think we'll be able to manage through her first season, but youll have to remind me I said that in a few months!!!

[Burnsway]

Like I said, its usually a minor problem if you didn't want to wait, but for some spay incontinence and the meds are a pain. Also its only a risk not a for sure thing. If you need more information on it you can put spay incontinence or just incontinence in a google search and get a huge amount of information.

I also suggest that if you do wait, you do a search on Pyometra which can be very serious and is a risk for "not" spaying your dog before the first heat and it would be wise to know the symptoms. But again its just a risk not a for sure thing. You kinda have to responsibly weigh the pros and cons and decide from there.

You can also search the forums for both of those and get lots of information.

[STEPHIANDZACK]

Hi vet and the local SPCA say for both females and males, both agree anytime after the 16th week is fine. As for the incontinence, it is a very very small percentage.

I got Amber done at 16 weeks and she was perfectly fine, in fact, took her camping with us a week later! We droppd her off first thing in the morning, and she was up and about that same afternoon.

Hope this info helps, this is my own experience.

[Judi W]

Dominey,
I agree, your vet is correct. In a household where there is no risk of accidental pregnancy, waiting allows the geniourinary system to mature which helps avoid spay incontinence.

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by STEPHIANDZACK

As for the incontinence, it is a very very small percentage.

There has not been a huge amount of studies on this but its more then a "very very small Percentage". Most data I have been able to pull up say it is about 20%-30%. Now this is not a 30% "CHANCE" they will get it at some time but this is around 30% "do" get it within a few weeks of surgery.

Some vets say that is a high number while others say thats actually low.

Because I have had a lot of trouble in the past getting to much percentage info on it, I also look at what I see and hear. If you search the forums you see a thread at-least 2 or 3 times a month it seems with someone asking about it and usually it is right after the surgery.

It usually is not a life threatening thing to deal with but can be a real pain in the tush for some owners. I tend to agree with JudiW and dominey's vet that if one can be responsible, waiting allows the system to mature which helps avoid spay incontinence.

[Canadianrotti]

It has been an intersting weekend after having the little one fixed. We are supposed to keep her calm for a few days so that she allows the stiches to hold and the incesion to heal. Needless to say it has been a long weekend!!! Trying to keep a 5 m/o pup from becoming too excited with 2 cats to chase and another dog to play with is quite a chore. My only advice for others would be to wait a while and do a LOT of training before hand so that you can keep her in control and get her to settle down when required. Raelin is very responsive to "agh" to get her to stop licking the stiches, and to let go of the cats head . Everything went well and she is doing just fine (her attitude and energy level have not changed at all, which is a good thing).

[alyxina]

Hi there,
I just found out that my pup has incontenence, which is loss of bladder control from being spayed to early, please wait until first heat!

I was not informed of this so please take precautions!