My Australian Shepherd came into heat at 8 months. We have a male herding dog in tact & our son has a black lab in tact. When she came into her first heat I took her in & she had her surgery. After the surgery she had a rough three days. They told me to give her some dog food but not much. She could not keep her food down for three days & I gave her pain pills in the evening for three days so she could rest comfortably at night. Her incision opened & the veterinary didn't seemed concerned. Missy licked the incision. An outer stitch or two must of broken. I would never have the surgery done when they are starting a heart cycle again. I never did get to talk to the veterinary either just her assistant. I went in with a gute feeling about the veterinary & the procedure. I wish I would of waited. Missy is fine now & the normal size for an Australian Shepherd female.