Spay / Neuter Recommended Age

[Calle Roo]

I browsed through the pages and found hit or miss responses, so thought I'd reach out for additional information. Figured this could be a 'repeat' or catchall for us noobs.

I'm getting Q spayed next Monday, which is when she is 5.5 months old. I feel that she is too young and underdeveloped, but I'm set in my ways of having her spayed before her first heat cycle. The breeder recommended to let her have a first heat cycle so her head develops more; however the vet recommended to have it done before to better beat the odds of developing breast cancer. There is also talk about hormonal changes and emotional differences that have been brought to my attention as well.

Was your baby spayed before or after heat cycle, at what age and what was your determining factors? When was your baby neutered and why that age?

Once spayed, did you have them wear a cone or do you have other suggestions to limit their shame? Did you crate them, X-Pen or allow they to roam the home and follow them around to ensure they don't climb the stairs or onto a couch as well as eliminate the Frenchie 500?

Did you have any side effects or complications? If so, what were they?

XoXo from Quella La Roux and her mommy too!

 

[Cbrugs]

I've read different opinions on when you should spay/neuter. Jax got neutered at around 6 months which is the age the vet had recommended so I went with it. Everything went well and it actually calmed him down a bit.

 

[MaplesMommy]

I would NOT get her spayed this young!
Vets always tell you about the cancers they can get or all the 'health risks' but they never mention,that spaying them this young comes with way more risks.
Removing the reproduction organs will also cause a hormonal imbalance.Sex hormones (which will no longer be produced) are not just responsible for sexual behavior. They also regulate growth.' In each long bone there is a growth plate, which is a band of cartilage found near the joint. This growth plate lays down bone as a puppy develops and, as it builds bone, the bone becomes longer and the puppy gets larger and taller. Once maturity is reached, this growth plate turns into bone and the puppy’s full height is reached. What would happen if one of those bones underneath the joint stopped growing before the other bone and they ended up being different lengths? It would be very much like building a house on a slope: the weight of the home wouldn’t be evenly distributed and there would be increased load at the lowermost corner of the house.'

This is why its proven that dogs who were spayed and neutered before 16 months have a 70% higher chance of developing HD or other back/joint/bone disease.

 

[Calle Roo]

When a dog goes in to heat, what changes are developed mentally, physically? This totally sounds pretentious, but I know her 'area' downstairs swells up, and realistally, it doesn't go back to the original form, so how big is it? I've seen mommy dogs, even FB who have had litters (via cesarean) and their 'area' is large ALL the time, not just after birth or heat.

I just called my vet to discuss my concerns. Eeek!

XoXo Quella La Roux and her mommy too!

 

[lkclark]

I would NOT get her spayed this young!
Vets always tell you about the cancers they can get or all the 'health risks' but they never mention,that spaying them this young comes with way more risks.
Removing the reproduction organs will also cause a hormonal imbalance.Sex hormones (which will no longer be produced) are not just responsible for sexual behavior. They also regulate growth.' In each long bone there is a growth plate, which is a band of cartilage found near the joint. This growth plate lays down bone as a puppy develops and, as it builds bone, the bone becomes longer and the puppy gets larger and taller. Once maturity is reached, this growth plate turns into bone and the puppy’s full height is reached. What would happen if one of those bones underneath the joint stopped growing before the other bone and they ended up being different lengths? It would be very much like building a house on a slope: the weight of the home wouldn’t be evenly distributed and there would be increased load at the lowermost corner of the house.'

This is why its proven that dogs who were spayed and neutered before 16 months have a 70% higher chance of developing HD or other back/joint/bone disease.

This is the literature I prescribe to, as well.

I hope to wait until Bear is at least 12 months old.

 

[2bullymama]

Anytime after 6 months is fine.... I have done all my pups at around 8 months.

 

[Jakeyjake]

Our breeder wanted us to wait until Jake was at least 10 months old, but we neutered him at 7 months old as he was mounting everything! Recovery was easy.
Our little Stella was spayed pretty close to 7 months old as well. No cone, and recovery involved some vomiting a couple of times.

 

[eeturk]

Both of the specialized bulldog vets we have seen have recommended neutering around 14 months for growth and development purposes. They both said to wait as long as we could, unless his behavior got bad. We intend to wait as he has not shown any signs of his hormones taking over his brain!


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[pbois]

I'm also of the mindset to wait, but also know making that decision is a push back to a Veterinarian. Although the newer research out there leans more toward allowing dogs to keep their reproductive tracts that doesn't mean that most veterinarians have accepted it. I think with male dogs it's an easier decision as all research points towards a healthier dog long term, but with a female dog the Vet will spit out the statistcs with mammary cancer and I do think those statistics are something to consider. You just have to put those statistics up against the benefits of keeping her intact and make what you think is the best decision.

Our male Frenchie is 19 months and still intact with no behavior issues. We also have Labradors....a 6 yr old male, 5 yr old female, and 1 yr old female......all still intact with no issues.

 

[davidh]

We have always waited a few months after their first heat. We have never used the cone of shame on them. Just keep them from jumping, and going up or down stairs for about 10 days.

 

[Brittany Ernst]

I would go over it with your vet, mention all your concerns, take into consideration what everyone on here has to say but also do some of your own research and make your own decision based on what you feel is best for you and your dog. Everyone is going to have different opinions and it can sometimes make you more confused on what you want to do. Rootbeer is 8 months and he's getting neutered Friday.

 

[Calle Roo]

Quella is scheduled for her spay surgery for this Friday (or Monday). There is an optional field on her quote that lists 'Pre Op Blood Profile (in house)' and I'm curious if this is recommended or necessary for an additonal $110? I'm not looking to save money; by all means, but often times we are up sold on unnecessary procedures or products.

Quella is having her spay surgery, dew claws removed and several baby teeth extracted. Luckily no inverted nipple removal as she hasn't had any discomfort and assuming she scratched herself a little too hard and caused a sore which she was scratching and making worse.

XoXo from Quella La Roux and her mommy too!

 

[Jakeyjake]

Good luck to Quella! I'm sure she'll do fine.
Ask your vet about the pre op blood profile. I think this is pretty sop though.

 

[pbois]

I think having blood work done is always important before a procedure like this. If she's young then chances are high everything is fine, but if she does have elevated enzymes to a major organ they would probably put the surgery off to investigate why. Your choice, and I like your that your vet makes it a choice, but I would personally error on the side of safety in this case.