I have been told by a friend that instead of getting Star speyed I should just get an injection to stop her going into heat every time. Is there such a thing?. I dont want to breed or show so speying seemed the best thing to do.

Hi Carle,
There is indeed an injection that prevents bitches coming into season, but it has been implicated with a higher than normal risk of pyometra. Most vets will be willing to administer it once in an emergency situation (house move etc), but not as a matter of routine. Spaying is certainly safer.
:)

I have used it successfully, no problems, problem with speying (only if you show) is some breeds' coats change texture.
DAwn.

Spaying for some reasons Boxers seem to have a higher incidence of incontinence
after the operation and have to go on Propalin syrup to stop the leakage.
Saying that I had a spayed Boxer bitch that was fine and she was just the same as
before being spayed, no character changes or anything.
Talk it over with your vet.
Just be careful when going for operations as some Boxers have severe reaction to
an anaesthetic called Ace Promazine or ACP.

Hi

I had my Dobe speyed and she developed incontinence. Was on propalin for the rest of her life. I must say it would be super if they could invent some form of safe doggie pill. The season is a pain if you have children but speying isn't an option if you want to show ( or have I got that wrong?) I would like to show but I don't think I want to breed.

Annie

No, you can show a spayed bitch. Many years ago the ruling was that they could only be shown after spaying if they had previously had a litter. Now, though, you only have to inform the KC that she has been spayed and you will get permission to show.
:)

Hi
Thanks for that - I really would like to show my girl, but I don't feel up to the responsibilities of breeding. As for the 'season' I'll have to see how it goes. I am reluctant to have her spayed cos of my previous experiences but I'll have to see. :)

Annie

Hello,

I use the injections on my bitches but only for a short time. My vet advises that they are not used for long term use. So far I have not encounted any problems with them but I do know people who have.

Margaret

Thanks for your replies.

How much does the injection cost and when does it have to be done.

We might need it. We have booked a holiday for a few days in October. Star will be 10 months old then and knowing my luck that is when she will start.

After the injection will I need to wait a few months to get her speyed.

You'd have to talk to your vet for the details. With luck she'll have got it over and done with by then anyway.
:)

It has to be done on the very day your bitch comes into season, adn as early as possible (if my memory serves me correctly)...any later and it won't stop it...so you have to be familiar with the signs and get her straight to the vet :) HTH - but do speak to your vet as JG says :)

Thanks for your help. We are going to the vet today for a check up so will discuss this with vet.

I think you will find that no vet will inject a bitch who has not had a season yet because they prefer them to have had their first one naturally.

I have used these injections occasionally and have never had any side effects with the bitches concerned. I do know of a bitch that had a heart condition so could not go under anaethestic to be spayed, so had to be injected to prevent her coming into season constantly as the strain of unwanted male attention would've been to much for her too, she was fine & lived until she was 12.

Thats a good point re the first season

A friend of mine had this injection and was assured by the vet that she would not come into season. However she now finds that the bitch is due to whelp a large litter six months after the last so she is not a happy bunny!! I also know of someone else who was doing very well in the show ring so had her bitch injected over a period of time but found that she couldn't conceive when she wanted her to have puppies she then died from cancer at 6. I think that if you dont want to breed then spaying is a good thing rather than inject a bitch with drugs.

We were at the vets yesterday. The vet will spey her when Star is ready. She is still very immature the vet said. We are going on holiday in October and Star will be 10 months. As we are not planning to show or breed she agreed to give her the injection if her heat falls within the holiday times.

On the other hand she said she would spey her when she is ready and that could be before or after her first heat depending on Star and how she is maturing. So I have to take each day at a time and see what comes first spey or season.