What age to spay?
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Vets allow 6 months as an option if you don't want your dog to go through a heat cycle.
Some people recommend letting them go through 1 heat then spaying.
I would ask your vet and see what they think about her and what age would be good!
Some people recommend letting them go through 1 heat then spaying.
I would ask your vet and see what they think about her and what age would be good!
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Uma went through 1 heat before we spayed her. It was accidental, she went into heat 3 days before her app't to get spayed. After researching, I'm glad we waited. She was 10 months old.
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Somebody just asked a similar questions, so I will just copy my reply 
My girl is almost 2 and still intact. I have no desire to get her spayed at all.
I am very much against early spay/neuter. There is more and more research being done, that shows that an early spay/neuter is linked to an increased risk of joint disease and cancer. Breast cancer is dogs is very rare, whereas other types of cancer and joint disease are more common. So compare lowering the risk of a type of cancer that is already very rare, to increasing the risk of common cancer and joint disease.
( Health Issues Linked to Spaying and Neutering Dogs Spayed or Neutered Dogs Have Higher Disease Rates)
In many european countries spaying/neutering a dog is against the law unless deemed necessary by a veterinarian due to inflammation/cancer of the sex organ (for example).
My girl is almost 2 and still intact. I have no desire to get her spayed at all.
I am very much against early spay/neuter. There is more and more research being done, that shows that an early spay/neuter is linked to an increased risk of joint disease and cancer. Breast cancer is dogs is very rare, whereas other types of cancer and joint disease are more common. So compare lowering the risk of a type of cancer that is already very rare, to increasing the risk of common cancer and joint disease.
( Health Issues Linked to Spaying and Neutering Dogs Spayed or Neutered Dogs Have Higher Disease Rates)
In many european countries spaying/neutering a dog is against the law unless deemed necessary by a veterinarian due to inflammation/cancer of the sex organ (for example).
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I recently read a good study regarding this. I will see if I can find the link tomorrow.
Also, a study from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK found out 'Due to the limited evidence available and the risk of bias in the published results, the evidence that neutering reduces the risk of mammary neoplasia, and the evidence that age at neutering has an effect, are judged to be weak and are not a sound basis for firm recommendations.”
My entire family has always had dogs and I have never heard a dog in Germany get mammary cancer. One would think that this would be the number 1 cancer in dogs there, since we dont spay or neuter, but its not.
I have also never seen a dog come to us( at my work here in Canada) with mammary cancer, but I see lymphoma and osteosarcoma 'patients' often (unfortunately).
Everybody needs to make this decision for themselves,but I hope people are open minded and do their own research before just believing whats so commonly said. The more studies appear, that can sucessfully argue this point, the more people will understand what is actually going on.
Also, a study from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK found out 'Due to the limited evidence available and the risk of bias in the published results, the evidence that neutering reduces the risk of mammary neoplasia, and the evidence that age at neutering has an effect, are judged to be weak and are not a sound basis for firm recommendations.”
My entire family has always had dogs and I have never heard a dog in Germany get mammary cancer. One would think that this would be the number 1 cancer in dogs there, since we dont spay or neuter, but its not.
I have also never seen a dog come to us( at my work here in Canada) with mammary cancer, but I see lymphoma and osteosarcoma 'patients' often (unfortunately).
Everybody needs to make this decision for themselves,but I hope people are open minded and do their own research before just believing whats so commonly said. The more studies appear, that can sucessfully argue this point, the more people will understand what is actually going on.
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Why do you want to spay? The sex organ produce hormones which is nesscesary for all the living things. Please note nowadays the PET dog are taking a lot of non natural stuffs which also has high risk of cancer. Spay do get rid of some cancer, but in the same logic, take away your heart could also avoid heart diseases
In my opinion the best thing to do is to talk to your Veterinarian. She or he knows your dog and can explain when and why. They go to school for 8 to 10 years for a reason. Sometimes reading things on the internet can get confusing. Just my opinion.
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So you're saying all professional vets in Germany,Denmark etc did not go to school? What about american vets that are against (early) spay and neuter as well? For example world known Dr Karen Becker or Dr. Jean Dodds?
There are studies, proof, I am not just making it all up.
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Everybody needs to make this decision for themself, but I want people to realize, that the reason why spaying/neutering is so common in America is (sadly) because it is convenient.
It increases the risk of many types of cancer and especially joint disease. Not to mention increased risk of Hypothyroidism and other hormonal illnesses.
Why would I put my dog at risk? Most european countries have been againt spaying/neutering for many years. Infact many studies show, that pets live longer overseas.
Everybody that is learning about spay/neuter, I can only recommend reading some of the studies that show the increased health risks once you spay/neuter, especially at young age.
I am just saying, if you brought a healthy 6 months old dog to a vet in Germany, wanting it spayed, he would laugh at you. I realize this is not Europe, but fortunately more and more people here are starting to realize the unnecessary risk they would put their dog under if they spayed/neutered. Infact my vet (here in Canada) does not spay/neuter anymore. He only does tubal ligations and vacetomies. (Which would be another option if you want to keep your dog from reproducing/dont want to clean up once the dog is in heat)
It increases the risk of many types of cancer and especially joint disease. Not to mention increased risk of Hypothyroidism and other hormonal illnesses.
Why would I put my dog at risk? Most european countries have been againt spaying/neutering for many years. Infact many studies show, that pets live longer overseas.
Everybody that is learning about spay/neuter, I can only recommend reading some of the studies that show the increased health risks once you spay/neuter, especially at young age.
I am just saying, if you brought a healthy 6 months old dog to a vet in Germany, wanting it spayed, he would laugh at you. I realize this is not Europe, but fortunately more and more people here are starting to realize the unnecessary risk they would put their dog under if they spayed/neutered. Infact my vet (here in Canada) does not spay/neuter anymore. He only does tubal ligations and vacetomies. (Which would be another option if you want to keep your dog from reproducing/dont want to clean up once the dog is in heat)
I said that he should talk to his vet who knows his dog. His vet went to school, and knows his dog. I think he or she could help him make that decision better than you or I. Obviously you misunderstood me.
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That is always a good question and as you can see, everyone has an opinion about it. We always like them to go through their first heat cycle and get close to one year of age before they are spayed. Some people don't want to go through the mess and hassle of a heat cycle, and if that is the case, then 6 to 7 months is OK. I do not believe in not spaying a bitch if you are not going to breed her. Not spaying can result in unwanted pups if you are not careful and don't watch her every second she is in heat. Lord knows there are too many unwanted pups out there. Not to mention the chance for her to get Pyometra and if not caught early enough can kill her. So to me not spaying them is not worth the risk, as we had one of our English get Pyometra and luckily I noticed it and got her to the vet in time to do an emergency spay on her.
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