When to spay?

[.sarah]

I am having trouble deciding when to spay Nova. I have heard from numerous dog "experts" to wait until they go through their first heat, as estrogen is what strengthens the muscles to help with incontinence later in life. But, ever since agility class I have been worried about waiting through her first heat. You see, there was an Australian Shepherd in the class who was semi-aggressive. The man told me that she used to be just as submissive as Nova, and then once she went through heat (she wasn't IN heat, but had been through it) she completely changed. I am soooo worried that Nova's temperment will change. She is absolutely the perfect dog in my eyes and if she ever becomes aggressive just because I had her go through heat I'll be extremely upset. I'd rather put her on Proin (incontinence drops) later in life than have my baby change.

I'm just so confused! Any input would be appreciated.

[shais_mom]

I always had heard it was better to spay them before their first heat cycle b/c the incidence for uterine cancer is higher the more cycles they go thru.
Keegan was spayed about about 4 months before she went thru her cycle.

[AllAmericanPUP]

its much better to spay before their first heat.

every heat they go through, the more they are at chance of certain cancers.
and yes it can and usually does change their temperment

[pnance]

I'd also always heard it was better to spay them prior to their first heat for the same reasons as shais_mom listed. Savannah was spayed prior to her first heat and has never had any problems. Nikka came to us spayed so I'm not sure about her.

[lv4dogs]

I agree with the others. The chances of possibly getting cancer AND possibly having a total attitude change greatly outweighs the chances of possibly becoming incontinent which may happen anyways as the dog ages.

I'd get her spayed as close to 6 months as possible yet before her first heat.

[.sarah]

I'd get her spayed as close to 6 months as possible yet before her first heat.

She's almost 9 months now. I probably will get her spayed before her heat, I just want to see everyone's opinion on in first.

[Glacier]

I'd do it before her first heat, but a different reason than already mentioned. I can not stand female dogs in heat (cats too). . They drive me crazy. Can't cope with it and a female in heat, even around neutered males, is a sure fire fight in my yard.

[lv4dogs]

She's almost 9 months now. I probably will get her spayed before her heat, I just want to see everyone's opinion on in first.

Wow, most dogs that size go into their first heat about 6-9 months. I'd make up your mind fast or you may not have a choice. She could go into heat litterally any day now.

[Vela]

You and she are better off spaying before the first heat. For all of the reasons above.

[.sarah]

Wow, most dogs that size go into their first heat about 6-9 months. I'd make up your mind fast or you may not have a choice. She could go into heat litterally any day now.
:confused: I've never met a dog her size that went into heat this early. It was always around 12 months. All the smaller dogs seem to go into heat around 6 months.

[Jessika]

This is a good topic to start Sarah because I had similar questions about Jamie. She just turned 10 months though. The only problem I've had with not spaying is I was afraid it was going to cost me an arm and a leg, since to have Charlie neutered it put us back $235! I mean he had both testicles retained, but that was still an insane amount of money to pay. So if they charged me that much for a MALE, I'm scared to know how much they will charge me for a female :(

[lv4dogs]

:confused: I've never met a dog her size that went into heat this early. It was always around 12 months. All the smaller dogs seem to go into heat around 6 months.

I know quite a few medium-large size dogs who have their fist heat at about 6-9 months. When I worked at the vets office I couldn't even begin to count how many people had medium-large dogs who had an appointment for a spay at 6 months of age & had to re-schedule because their dog went into heat. Raustyk went into heat just before 6 months of age (she was still in the shelter then).

They are just like people, some girls get their first cycle when they are 11 or 12, others not until they are 15-16. You just never know. :D

[Jadapit]

Jada went into heat at around 6 months. I got Ebony spayed before she came into heat she was around 6 months when we had her spayed.

Jessika, our vet only charges $85.00 to spay. You can also get coupons from the humane society here, they pay $40.00 toward the spaying. It only cost us $112.00 to have Ebony spayed, that also included her eye surgery and her shots. It looks like we are real lucky with our vets prices. ;)

[lv4dogs]

This is a good topic to start Sarah because I had similar questions about Jamie. She just turned 10 months though. The only problem I've had with not spaying is I was afraid it was going to cost me an arm and a leg, since to have Charlie neutered it put us back $235! I mean he had both testicles retained, but that was still an insane amount of money to pay. So if they charged me that much for a MALE, I'm scared to know how much they will charge me for a female :(

Yes female dogs are more pricey but it shouldn't be that much or at least any more than that. When the testicles do not descend they could be in numerous places. Therefore it is an exploratory surgery. It takes the doctors a little longer as they have to find the testicles first. A female dog well unless deformed it's always in the same spot. lol

Besides even a thousand dollars would be cheaper & better than cemo later on in life, cheaper than a litter of puppies and certainly better than shortening your dogs life. :D

[Jessika]

Jessika, our vet only charges $85.00 to spay. You can also get coupons from the humane society here, they pay $40.00 toward the spaying. It only cost us $112.00 to have Ebony spayed, that also included her eye surgery and her shots. It looks like we are real lucky with our vets prices. ;)

It looks that way! Maybe its just my area, but it wasn't just ONE vet that quoted outrageous prices, ALL of them in my area (and then some) did because I called a number of clinics before scheduling an appointment with one. :( I would kill to only have to pay about $100 to spay Jamie. That would be SUCH a relief!

EDIT: Yeah I knew it was gonna cost more because it was an exploratory surgery, but even the BASE price for a regular neuter was insane. :(

[lv4dogs]

It looks that way! Maybe its just my area, but it wasn't just ONE vet that quoted outrageous prices, ALL of them in my area (and then some) did because I called a number of clinics before scheduling an appointment with one. :( I would kill to only have to pay about $100 to spay Jamie. That would be SUCH a relief!

As far as prices go obviously it does vary by area. Most vets here charge depending on the size of the dog & weather or not they have been into heat before. I would say average for a 6-12 month old medium size dog is about $150-$175.

And our shelters offer a discount for spays/neuters. Here if you are apporved (it's based on your household income) you only have to pay a third of the cost.

Maybe your shelter offers something like that?

[Jessika]

I actually just moved here not too long ago and still need to do some looking around. The nearest shelter I know of is 45 minutes away :( For Christmas though I'm going back in town for a few months and will be working at PetCo and the managers know and can get discounts at the vet that I had Charlie neutered at so maybe I can talk to them about pricing or something or get more info on it. Not to mention we'll have lots of money saved up and from getting our tax returns so I definitely want to get it done before February ♥

[.sarah]

Hopefully Jamie doesn't go into heat before then! lv4dogs, I never knew they charged differently depending on if they have gone into heat before. Do they charge more/less? I guess I should know since I work at a vet :rolleyes: lol

[Jessika]

You know I thought she was close to it this past month or so because she has been CONSTANTLY licking herself down there, but I didn't know if it was because of fleas or not (which I was able to give her a bath today since its 70 out after being in the mid-40's ALL WEEK grrrrr Missouri weather!!). I did the whole tissue swap thing to check and, nothing. So I don't think that's what it was unless she just doesn't bleed a whole lot :confused:

[.sarah]

You know I thought she was close to it this past month or so because she has been CONSTANTLY licking herself down there, but I didn't know if it was because of fleas or not (which I was able to give her a bath today since its 70 out after being in the mid-40's ALL WEEK grrrrr Missouri weather!!). I did the whole tissue swap thing to check and, nothing. So I don't think that's what it was unless she just doesn't bleed a whole lot :confused:
Is her vulva swollen looking? If not, she's probably not in heat. The "rule" is, when they're not in heat their vulva feels like the tip of your nose, slightly firm. When in heat, their vulva feels more like your lips, plump. Trust me, you'd notice if her vulva was swollen. It looks ODD. :eek:

[Kfamr]

I agree with those who said to spay before their first heat.


Kiara was spayed before 15 weeks, Nala before 8 weeks.

[Jessika]

Is her vulva swollen looking? If not, she's probably not in heat. The "rule" is, when they're not in heat their vulva feels like the tip of your nose, slightly firm. When in heat, their vulva feels more like your lips, plump. Trust me, you'd notice if her vulva was swollen. It looks ODD. :eek:

Yeah that's another reason why I assumed she wasn't lol. It was just so weird. She'd sit there for HOURS just licking herself. O_o And she doesn't have an infection or anything either, I checked.

[lv4dogs]

Hopefully Jamie doesn't go into heat before then! lv4dogs, I never knew they charged differently depending on if they have gone into heat before. Do they charge more/less? I guess I should know since I work at a vet :rolleyes: lol

They charge more unfortunaly. If I remember right the uterous gets a little bigger &/or messier after a dog has been through a heat (even if they are not in heat at the moment).

[.sarah]

I agree with those who said to spay before their first heat.


Kiara was spayed before 15 weeks, Nala before 8 weeks.
In my opinion that is too young. I would wait until a dog is pretty much fully grown. Nova I would say is extremely close if she isn't already there.

[sammy101]

Lucy was spayed at 6 months old. I would want to my female dogs to get spayed asap,just my opinion. I agree, get her spayed before her first heat.

[lv4dogs]

In my opinion that is too young. I would wait until a dog is pretty much fully grown. Nova I would say is extremely close if she isn't already there.

I agree with you there!

[k9krazee]

Shadow, Micki and Jack were all spayed/neutered at very young ages. Shadow and Jack were done before we got them and Micki, well my mom was paranoid of having a male dog and wanted him neutered as soon as possible so he was done at about 10 weeks.

I would really get her spayed before her first heat, they are prone to a lot less behavoiral and medical problems. My Aunt's lab pup went into heat the first time at 13 months and she was pretty shocked, most of her labs usually went into heat right around six months.

I'm feeling a bit hypocritical though, Mini and Kyra are both intact, Mini will be four on Friday and Kyra is over a year. We did notice some behavoiral problems though, Mini used to be extremely submissive and now shes our most dominant dog but that was the only drastic change.

[.sarah]

Alright, I'm getting her spayed before heat. I've made up my mind, most definetly. I can call work now to see if I can squeeze her in on Friday, but I might just wait until Monday since tomorrow is going to be so hectic.

[dab_20]

thats great. the only drastic thing that happened with molli was is that she is much more dominant.

[.sarah]

thats great. the only drastic thing that happened with molli was is that she is much more dominant.
That's exactly what I don't want to happen. Nova is so submissive and after having Mandy it's wonderful :D