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angieh's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Magnificent moggies
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 21,718
22-01-2013, 08:38 PM   #1

Age for Spay???


Hi all - we have just got our adoption papers through for Dora and it states that she should be spayed three months after her first season.

I am committed of course to having her spayed, but the timing is what is making me ask you. When we took Dora to register with our vet just after Christmas it seems that new veterinary practice advocates spaying at around 6 months of age, before the first season. The vet said that the operation is quicker, easier and the bitch recovers quicker as there is little development in the uterus.

I know with a dog, it is advised to leave neutering until physical development is near completion at around 12 -18 months. Would the same not apply to bitches? (Quite apart from the risk of pregnancy of course).

I have asked this question of the lurcher forum that I am on and the general opinion is that they base their requirement of spaying three months after the bitch's first season on sound reasoning, one to do with increased possibility of genital infections if spaying is done earlier and the possibility of increased bone cancers in larger dogs if spayed earlier.

I wonder if any of you have any knowledge or advise and ask for your thoughts?



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Moli's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Exotics,oriential,siamese,& Mogg...
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Scotland..
Posts: 27,164
22-01-2013, 08:50 PM   #2

Re: Age for Spay???


Maggie had her first season at 10 months and was spayed 3 months later.....Spaying before the season can cause incontienence...as well as other things..



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Elaine's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 moggies
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 15,256
22-01-2013, 09:01 PM   #3

Re: Age for Spay???


Rayne was spayed at 14 months, she didnt have a season. On being spayed there was a slight abnormality to her womb which may or may not have had something to do with her not having a season.
That said, I would have prefered for her to have had atleast one season before spaying. My personal view and from what I have read, spaying prior to the first season can increase the chances of bone cancer and incontinence.



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Shelley123's Avatar
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Cats owned: NA
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Preston UK
Posts: 6,995
22-01-2013, 09:14 PM   #4

Re: Age for Spay???


Both our breeders said over one year. Vets will generaly say 6 months.



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Velvet's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 5 DSH. 2 DLH
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nth Ireland - UK
Posts: 3,605
22-01-2013, 11:38 PM   #5

Re: Age for Spay???


All ours are done before seasons and never had any problems health or otherwise



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Kazz's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Non at the moment
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 16,941
26-01-2013, 11:06 AM   #6

Re: Age for Spay???


My personal view is after the first season.....



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angieh's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Magnificent moggies
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 21,718
26-01-2013, 12:09 PM   #7

Re: Age for Spay???


Thanks for your comments. It seems that we do not actually have a choice with Dora and she will be spayed around 3 months after her first season, as a requirement of adoption. I had always accepted that this was the best time to spay in bitches' interests but then the vet said 6 months and that got me thinking. We await the first season with a bit of trepidation .....................



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Velvet's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 5 DSH. 2 DLH
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nth Ireland - UK
Posts: 3,605
27-01-2013, 12:27 AM   #8

Re: Age for Spay???


Is Monty neutered?



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Kazz's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Non at the moment
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 16,941
27-01-2013, 12:36 AM   #9

Re: Age for Spay???


Quote:
Originally Posted by Velvet
Is Monty neutered?
Very good question and if not I would book and go on holiday and leave your hubby too it.......



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angieh's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Magnificent moggies
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 21,718
27-01-2013, 09:55 AM   #10

Re: Age for Spay???


Yes, Monty was done about a year ago. We are at least safe on that front!



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