Hi im looking for some info on mismating as i had an unfortunate accidient today (my own fault) and i believe my blue staffie girl may be pregnant. She has just turned 7 months and is on her 10th day of 1st season when today our 5 year old male mounted her. I called the vet straight away who advised two injections 24 hours apart and at least 24 hours after the mating. They told me it would be £90 for the injections. Ive done some research and found it can have side affects. I have no intention of breeding my girl in the future and was thinking about getting her spayed. Ive also found this may have side affects such as not allowing the dog to grow or mature properly if done too early. Would it be best to have her an emergency spay? Or get the injections and hope they work and get her spayed before her second season? Please help :-( Thanks

If she were my dog, I'd want her to remain intact for as long as possible (up to a max of 6 years-ish) because recent research has found that ovary exposure is linked to longevity.  (Ie bitches who remain intact longest, also live longest - just as women live longer than men; which is also thought to be due to ovary-exposure.)

So I would probably get the mismate injection and then wait many years before spaying.

However, you'd need to do something to prevent this situation happening again and having an intact female and male in the same house is not a good idea unless you are very experienced and able to take measures to keep them apart every 6 months.  Some people kennel the male dog, or send him to live with relatives.  Some people separate the dogs in the house and use good supervision and crates. 

Depending on the personality of your male, you might want to consider neutering him - as (unlike her) he has reached full maturity.

The other factor to consider is whether the mismate injection is going to increase the chances of your bitch developing pyo in future.  This used to be the case with the old-style mismate jab - but I believe the new one is much better and not as likely to cause it.  However, it may still increase the chances somewhat and is another factor to bear in mind.  This is something you could research more before you decide.  I don't think there is an easy answer to this one.

I've had to use the mismate injection - and had no problems afterwards.   My vet advised waiting until almost the end of the season - just in case there was a second "accident".   The first injection was followed by the second a day later.

I would suggest that you let her have the next season - if you have a male, maybe put him into kennels for a week if you can't be sure to keep them apart - then have her spayed three months later.

This happened to one of my girls.  I was more than happy with using Alizin.  Don't think I would have gone for the old style jabs.  Like you, these were 24 hours apart.  I didn't wait until the end of the season, as I was very certain that I was going to crate in seperate areas of the house afterwards. 

I'm not sure what side affects you mean, but if your vet is using Alizin, I would definitely recommend it.  And I wouldn't have your bitch spayed yet if she was mine.  I like my girls to mature and develop properly first.

This was the first time I have used Alizin, and the girl who did the jabs told me that she had never known any problems with it when used early enough.  I had my bitch done 24 hours after the mating, and again 24 hours later.  Go for it.  Honestly.  :-)

Did you research Alizin? If you just search for "mismate injection" you will find lots of info about the old style injection which DID have a lot of side effects. The modern Alizin is quite safe and I have used it on one of my bitches myself when she broke a gate whilst in season and got to her own son. I would use it then spay the bitch at the safest time which is around 3 months after the season.

Make sure the vet uses the newer Alizin injection. 

This is actually best given after the season has finished. 

It can actually be used up to about 6 weeks in whelp, so you can always get her scanned after 5 weeks to make sure it worked.

It does seem this has fewer failures to work and side effects than the old Delvesteron.

Yes, have unfortunately had to use the Alizin as well. There were no side effects and she went on next season to be mated to the dog of my choice with no problems

Hi thanks for the input everyone its given me plenty to think about. Im going to take my girl to the vet tomorrow to get her first injection done. We've dropped our dog at a relatives an hopfully they will keep him for a while for us. I really dont want to get her spayed before she has matured fully so think i will look into getting my boy neutered. Will this stop him getting the urge to mate when she is in season and will i still have to keep them appart? He chewed through a door today to try an get at her :-(

No it most probably won't stop him from wanting to mate an in season bitch, (does reduce libido in some) especially now that he has done so.

There are more negatives associated with castration than benefits for the dog, where the case is in bitches not destined to be used for breeding is not the same.  On balance a bitch is best spayed by middle age.

You could have the implant for your boy, which makes him sterile for a time (not instantly though, but neither does castration).

There is also a chemical castration injection into the testicles that offers permanent sterility, but not sure if it is licensed for use in the UK.

>Will this stop him getting the urge to mate when she is in season and will i still have to keep them appart?

I know for certain that one CD member has told us about a neutered male who would still mate and tie!  And the biggest problem is obviously not pregnancy, but any damage if they tie without supervision. 

I have to be honest that I only have a male castrated for medical reasons, never from choice.  It is the bitch that has benefit from being neutered.  And, as you mention after maturity.  Chewed through a door!  Wow, I think he needs to stay with friends!  My boys are put together in a seperate room, and I have to put up with the singing, but no demolishing the house!  :-(

Oops, if he's that determined I think it's very likely he will still want to mate and tie even if neutered. If your relatives are happy to have him for a week or 10 days twice a year, that might be easiest for all involved. I had to do that with my boy when Ellie was in season as he howled and refused to eat, poor boy!

I have a bitch in season in my home at the moment. And 2 entire males. Oh the joys of mixed s*x households ;-) I have a small living room which has 3 cages set up. The 2 boys are in 2 caes on one side of the room with the young lady in a cage under the window. They can see one another but can't actually meet through the cage :-) They are only allowed out at different times so they can get exercise, etc. If I go out then they are all caged. I have found that this works well for me and only have the earplugs in ;-) for a few days each season. Though this is the first time my young male knows that something is happening lol. I have tried to send the older male away over the years and he hated it.

If you don't want to neuter yet then this may be an option for you until you are ready to neuter.