Is there a certain time between seasons when it is better to spay. Just wondered if certain times (for example just before or after a season) might affect the bitch more due to hormonal influences.
Lorna

Hi Lorna
In general I think it is said to be best done about midway through a bitch's cycle, i.e. 2 - 3 months after her season.
HTH
Nicky :D

Quite right Nicky, Vets prefer it then because there is less risk of infection.

Regards, John

Lorna, may I ask what age your bitch is and why you have decided to spay her. Thanks for your reply, if you do, Ja:)kie

she's 4yrs 7mths, I haven't decided to spay her, but have thought about it and want to pick the best time if I go ahead. Its a big decision for me, I don't want to put her through an operation without careful planning.

Thanks Dudley, as the others have said mid way between seasons, she will be fine.

Gina, has the vet given you anything to help with the phantom.

Ja:)kie

No she didnt and I am the sort that annoys the vet (well a few of them at the surgery anyway) by asking loads of questions normally. I didnt think to ask this time as didnt realise there was anything to help. (Dont think I missed anything in the BotBitch?)

Will have a look at the site Westie has just mentioned - thank you very much :)

Any other tips would be most helpful. Molly isnt quite so "huge" down below now but cleans herself every time she has a pee.

Gina

I feel rotten because I think Molly will have to be spayed. She has had her first season (7 months) in Sept and is now in her 4th week of phantom pregnancy. The Book of the Bitch and my vet both say she should be spayed (mid Dec) as this will carry on as she has had the first phantom so quickly. She seems too little for such a big op :(
gina

Pulsatilla (or possibly Sepia depending on her temperament) will help the phantom pregnancy. www.ainsworths.co.uk will advise you.