Hi. I am a bit confused regarding when I should spay my golden. I have read in a book that it is best to spay her before the first heat, around 6-7 months. However, my vet told me that it is best to let her have the first heat and to spay her after that. But the vet also said it is OK to do it before the first heat. So I am confused. What is the best time for spaying? Before or after?
ecspc
Our vet said the new thoughts on spaying is the earlier the better. Asia was spayed at about 4 monthes old and had no ill effects and recovered quickly.
I thought that it reduces the chances of cancer if you spay before the first heat. Lucy had it done right at 7 months and is doing great.
My vet told me that it greatly reduces the chance of cancer and other later health issues to spay before the first heat.
There are a couple of reasons to wait until after the first heat to spay-first, if the puppy has chronic UTI's and has an "innie" vulva and second, as with males (but to a lesser extent), the hormones signal the long bones to stop growing.
Holding off by one heat does not significantly increase the chances of cancer, but a heat can be pretty hard on a pet owner. They are messy, smelly and can cause issues with other dogs.
This is a great article on the pros and cons:
http://www.akcchf.org/pdfs/whitepapers/3-23-08DiscoveriesArticle.pdf
I prefer to hold off until at least 9 months for a bitch, but my girls don't go into season until around 12 months of age or even a little older.
Holding off by one heat does not significantly increase the chances of cancer, but a heat can be pretty hard on a pet owner. They are messy, smelly and can cause issues with other dogs.
This is a great article on the pros and cons:
http://www.akcchf.org/pdfs/whitepapers/3-23-08DiscoveriesArticle.pdf
I prefer to hold off until at least 9 months for a bitch, but my girls don't go into season until around 12 months of age or even a little older.
This info is from one of the staff members at a very well-known Veterinary College:
Dr. Ham explains, "Spaying a dog before the first heat can greatly reduce the incidence of mammary cancer in dogs. By removing the ovaries and uterus (known as an ovariohysterectomy or spay) before the first heat, we prevent the first flux of hormones."
Studies in dogs have shown that the risk of developing mammary cancer is 0.05 percent if the dog is spayed before the first heat, 8 percent if spayed after the first and before the second heat, and 26 percent after the second heat...
Letting her have her first heat, IMO, does put her at a significantly higher risk for cancer, which, as we all know, is probably the leading cause of death in Goldens anyway. Why stack the deck against her even more when the type of cancer associated with spaying later is so easily preventable?
Karen, Chance and Savanah *RB*
Dr. Ham explains, "Spaying a dog before the first heat can greatly reduce the incidence of mammary cancer in dogs. By removing the ovaries and uterus (known as an ovariohysterectomy or spay) before the first heat, we prevent the first flux of hormones."
Studies in dogs have shown that the risk of developing mammary cancer is 0.05 percent if the dog is spayed before the first heat, 8 percent if spayed after the first and before the second heat, and 26 percent after the second heat...
Letting her have her first heat, IMO, does put her at a significantly higher risk for cancer, which, as we all know, is probably the leading cause of death in Goldens anyway. Why stack the deck against her even more when the type of cancer associated with spaying later is so easily preventable?
Karen, Chance and Savanah *RB*
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