Hi all,
Stupid question but.....
Our vet has recommended spaying 3 months after the first season. I know there is lots of conflicting advice/views but we are going to go with this.
I know the reason for 3 months after is to let her hormones settle but would it matter if we had it done 4 months after her season?
TIA.

Not a stupid qs at all
Is it her first season? I personally wouldn’t spay before second season/a year old at the earliest. Most vets tend to say 3 months after a season due to hormones entitling like you say. But if there was a gap of 8 months between seasons I’d be happy with 4 months. You tend to go for the middle in between seasons, so if she’s only had one season then most vets tend to just say 3 months as it’s enough time for hormones to settle before they start gearing up again etc.
If she’s young then I’d be cautious about spaying as hormones have an impact on everything to do with your girl, growth, health, even temperament.

Thank you. That's really helpful.
The reason for waiting fir 4 months is that she will then be over 1.
Yes it's her first season. She is a lab (thought I'd add that seeing your name!!) So hard to know which is the right call.

Why not wait? Her growth plates won’t have closed yet and removing essential hormones at this stage could cause more harm than good. Early spaying can increase the risk of joint problems and cruciate problems.  If you must have her spayed try to wait another year until she has physically and mentally matured.

I would let her have 2 seasons- she is very young to be done after one heat.  a big dog 18 months would be a better age.

FWIW when my Whippet was around 7 months, I wanted to book her in to be spayed as I had an elderly entire, and not well, Basset at home who didn't need to be around (as in under the same roof) as an in season bitch.  My vet persuaded me to wait until after she'd had her first season, citing bone development problems (growth plate closure) and the possible risk of spay incontinance if she was spayed early.  I did, but by 11 months there was absolutely no sign of a season starting, so I asked him to go ahead.  Her mother and half sister didn't have their first seasons before around 18 months.

She's fine.

In your case, with a bigger bitch, I'd let her have one season, personally and then book a spay for around 3/4 months later.  Usually spaying is ok to be done mid-way between seasons when the repro. organs have gone quiet.  Of course, if this will be her first season, you won't know how she's going to be cycling (ie mid way between seasons).

What is the urgent need that you want to spay your puppy so young or even why at all !

Just a little information that may help you make a reasonable decision without any pressure from your own vet (who will be making a profit from his services)

http://affinitydogtraining.co.uk/training-info/neutering/

.https://www.wolftucker.co.uk/blog/neutering-your-dog-making-an-informed-decision/

.

Mid way through between seasons is the best.
Being a Lab she is a large breed and I wouldn't recommend spaying before her growth plates have closed which is around 18 months at the earliest. You can bring on a whole host of issues if done too young. This isn't to say don't neuter but wait for a bit, at least 1 more season to pass 1st.

Echoing the others, I would wait, especially in a breed so prone to weight gain and joint problems.

Otherwise, it depends on her cycle - 3 months is standard but that's the hit the midpoint between seasons, and cycles vary.  For example my two girls both went 8 months between their seasons, so I had them spayed at 4 months post.

My youngest girl cycles every 12 months to the day. Very considerate of her.
I’m not having her spayed.
I fully concur with the points made about growth plates.

Mine was just random  .I left her until around 6 then we just had to gp for it having know idea where she was in her cycle.

I'd wait until after her second season.

You can then judge the mid point better, and she will have a chance to finish most of her growth, which takes longer in a larger breed.

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate all the comments.
I'm not particularly worried about weight gain with her. She is the world's fussiest labrador!
I know it's not a legitimate reason but I feel bad for her having just lead walks for potentially a month. She is still bleeding 2 weeks in. Dog training is on old hold, scent training postponed etc. In that sense, 1 season is easier but obviously I don't want to do it too young.
We delayed with our Weimaraner and she died of cancer at only 2.5 years (not linked to seasons) but makes me realise that you can do loads then they can still get something else!

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate all the comments.
I'm not particularly worried about weight gain with her. She is the world's fussiest labrador!
I know it's not a legitimate reason but I feel bad for her having just lead walks for potentially a month. She is still bleeding 2 weeks in. Dog training is on old hold, scent training postponed etc. In that sense, 1 season is easier but obviously I don't want to do it too young.
We delayed with our Weimaraner and she died of cancer at only 2.5 years (not linked to seasons) but makes me realise that you can do loads then they can still get something else!

From a purely biological viewpoint, the Epiphyseal plates are made up of cartilage & in order for them to close & calcify surges of respective sex hormones are required to trigger the complete closure along with the thyroid hormone.

If you remove the main source of the sex hormones before the Epiphyseal plates are fully calcified the bone will continue to grow & bone density can also be affected.

Most vets do not mention this whilst discussing neutering dogs & some are not even aware of the link, as it is not a subject that is covered in depth in their training.& is more a part of  post graduate studies or specialities in orthopedics or endocrinology

Please don't neuter your dog that young. Hormones play a crucial part in so many different systems, they are not just about reproducing.

Please see the research brought together at Avidog: https://www.avidog.com/research-on-the-effects-of-spaying-and-neutering/

Even behaviourally, research shows that dogs spayed whilst still adolescents (as your dog will be until 18 months at least) are at greater risk of becoming reactive or showing fearful-based behaviour - probably because the actual experience at the vet is very stressful and traumatic and they are still very impressionable until into adulthood and maturity.

The earliest I would ever suggest someone spay, is 2yo. Even that is very early. I don't spay my own girls (in the past) until 6-8 years old. And currently I am debating whether to spay my 8yo at all...

I didn't spay my golden until she was 3. She lived until she was 14 and the vet was amazed at the range of movement she still had in her joints at that age.

I'm sorry you lost your other dog so young to cancer.

All my girls are entire until they are 5 - 7 years old, spayed 12 weeks after a litter.