When to spay?

[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.

[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.

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.

[lv4dogs]

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.

[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

[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.

[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?

[Kfamr]

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


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

[dab_20]

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

[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.