hi, please can you tell me how old a bitch should be before you get her done, or can you do it before she has her first season. thanks.

Most vets seem to recommend that it's done midway between seasons - so three months after her first season would be the earliest they'd do it.

One of my pet owners did get hers done before the first season but I believe it varies from vet to vet.  Some believe it is better to wait until the bitch has had her first season at least.

There appears to be a split amongst the veternary profession over this question.

Some vets (particularly in the US) suggest that there is a weight of evidence that by spaying before the first season you significantly decrease the bitches chances of getting mammary cancer. My own vet takes this approach (UK based)

The majority of vets in the UK seem to go with 3 months after the first season.

From my own point of view I'm inclined to think that speying early reduces the growth and emotional development potential of a bitch, and I'd be inclined to wait until 3 months after the season at which I considered her fully mature (which would vary from breed-to-breed and even bitch-to-bitch). I'm not sure that there is any evidence to back my theory up, and I dont usually spay my bitches anyway.

i am no expert on this but i have a bitch that was spayed before her first season(welfare girl)her growth has not been affected but maybe her attitude as the once playful girl i had has now become a pain in the @@@.i introduced a wee pup into the house and i was so proud of her as she seemed to take on the roll of mother (more proud as she was so young herself really, 2 years)don't really know if this is the problem but the wee pup is coming into season well thats what i think by the pups actions and after a lot of very unusual behaviour from my older girl and a trip to the vets (nothing found to be wrong)i can only say honestly that cos of all the attention my pup gets(ie kept away from the boy,in the house when they are out)that she is jealous.she will play with my pals female great untill she is in season then the fights start i always thought it was my pals bitch that started the fights but now i am not too sure.