Spaying Young Dog

[Feugh]

My young WHV bitch is getting a canine taken out next week. The tooth has grown directly upwards and is wearing a hole in her upper gum which will become more and more uncomfortable with time so it is coming out. Because of this dental condition we will never breed from her and asked about getting her spayed. The vet, and another one since, have recommended having her spayed at the same time, at six months old, before her first season because it cuts out any threat of mammarian cancer. Having it done now also cuts down on the use of anaesthetic, something that I'm keen to avoid myself. We asked the vets whether there were any downsides regarding having her done at this age and there are apparently none.
Do any of you have experience of having a bitch spayed at six months old, and are there any behavioural downsides?
Thanks in advance.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I've been told by a pretty well known breeder not to spay too early as it can affect hormones or something along them lines, I've always been told let them have there first season

 

[Selous]

This is not as cut and dried as you have been advised. There is lots of evidence to suggest harmful effects of early neutering. I would personally not advise dental work at the same time as a sterile elective surgery due to increased risk of surgical site infection, I wouldn’t worry too much about repeat anaesthetics.

have a look at these links and make your own mind up

http://www.akcchf.org/news-events/news/health-implications-in-early.html

http://www.caninecollege.biz/PUPPY_Spay-Neuter.pdf

 

[John Gryphon]

I've been told by a pretty well known breeder not to spay too early as it can affect hormones or something along them lines, I've always been told let them have there first season

Plus 1

Bitches can retain puppy attributes if speyed pre their first heat.

You know,chewing the new hunting boots etc

 

[Buchan]

With srvet on this. Large dog as well so some vets feel there is an impact on the immature skeleton. Anaesthetic considerations aren't that relevant, there is no cumulative risk. I'd spay after first season.

 

[Hayduke]

I am thinking of getting mine done but will probably wait until at least after her second season because of concerns about impact on her hormone system. I have heard of a number of cases where dogs became much more withdrawn, loss of confidence etc. Mine is a lovely quiet, nice and easy going hound. I definitely don't want her confidence taking a knock or becoming withdrawn.

There can also be problems with pee incontinence, dribbling, but there are drugs that can fix this.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I am thinking of getting mine done but will probably wait until at least after her second season because of concerns about impact on her hormone system. I have heard of a number of cases where dogs became much more withdrawn, loss of confidence etc. Mine is a lovely quiet, nice and easy going hound. I definitely don't want her confidence taking a knock or becoming withdrawn.

There can also be problems with pee incontinence, dribbling, but there are drugs that can fix this.

I had some of the issues you mentioned when I had my gsd spayed however it was by far not a routine op and ended up with major surgery. She became withdrawn and you could tell she wasn't feeling quite right (not surprising) what went from a lovely dog who would be happy when she pleased you turned into one that didn't want to go out . Got there with her now and it's taken some time, she also had bladder issues as you said, dribbling and what not however however managed to sort it without any drugs. She had just gone 2 when it happened

 

[NigelM]

I have always been told not to neuter a dog until it has reached maturity at about 2 years. Early neutering, I'm told, can result in them never really maturing, which isn't great in a hunting dog. I have neutered three dogs at 2 years old and have never noticed any discernible difference in behaviour. Not qualified in bitches though, never had one. Tricky in a house full of dogs.

 

[Heym SR20]

Our vet also recommended that we get our bitch BMH/lab spayed before her first heat. She was spayed at six months old. She is now just about 3. Still has lots of charachter and playfulness, but also works well. In the last couple of months she has definitely grown up and bit aloof of young dogs wanting more to play.

She remains sleak and coat is very glossy. I have dogs spayed after having a litter or two and they ended with poor coats and piling on the weight, and frankly lost their drive.

 

[Feugh]

Thanks for all of the replies, I have found them very useful. We have taken the decision not to have her spayed quite yet and I am happy with that. Her tooth can’t wait but the spaying can.

 

[wildfowler.250]

just an opinion. Agree wouldn’t normally recommend both a dirty,(dental) and a sterile op at the same time from an infection point of view. I personally think you’re better off spaying before the second season as this greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors,(which make up about 50% of the tumors seen in the bitch). Spaying before the first season reduces the risk of getting mammary cancer to 0.5%. After the first season, this rises to 8%. After the second season, spaying reportedly doesn’t change the likelihood of developing mammary cancer compared to an entire bitch.

Just something to consider. Hope it helps!

 

[John Gryphon]

Agree wouldn’t normally recommend both a dirty,(dental) and a sterile op at the same time from an infection point of view.

Have ye no faith in the British veterinary world?