I have a year old Border bitch which we do not intend to breed. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having her spayed, as my vet recommends?

One big reason is that you won't have the worry of her coming into season and the possibility of unplanned matings and unwanted puppies. There is no truth in the old wives tale that bitches should have a litter before being spayed. Did your vet not give you the pros and cons?

My Vet who I knew and trusted for many years, explained to me that they do see increased instances of mammary tumours in unspayed bitches. He recommended to wait until her first Season was over, (in order to allow nature to complete the cycle of her 'growing up'), and then about three months later - half way between finishing and starting again, in order that her hormones are settled, to then have her spayed. He suggested before her second Season though. (He was leaving this particular practice unfortunately, and was giving me his true advice and not to help increase income to the Surgery)!

I am very pleased I did now. I was willing and able to cope with an 'in Season' bitch, but found it sad to have to keep her isolated for three weeks twice a year. Although obviously, I only did this the once, (keeping her away from dogs generally, choosing specific places and times to walk her). I much prefered the knowledge that she could have constant social interaction with other dogs, which is far better for her socially and mentally.

Good Luck,
Denise.

Hi Guest,

Advantages - your bitch can't get pregnant; no risk of pyometra; incidence of mammary tumours (breast cancer) greatly reduced; no messy seasons.

Disadvantages - small risk from anaesthetic [$ surgery] your bitch may put on weight; her coat may change; risk of incontinence.

Spaying before puberty can also have infantile vulva as a side effect. the female parts often iverting as they have never developed properly, and gettin sore and infected.

both my soayed bitches are now tiny in their vulvas, even thoiugh both were spayedafter being bred from and being over 5 years old! Not causing them a proiblem, though a bitch of this breed that I know who was spayed at 5 months has terrible problems.

Hi Sharon
You beat me to it again!
That covers everything l was going to say, so l shan't say anything.
Nicky

Thistle is a year old and had her first season at the beginning of May. I am going to have her spayed in August. I don't want to be worried about her having unwanted puppies for the next 10 years.
Jane

Hi.
We worried that we might be doing the wrong thing having our GSP bitch spayed too, but had it done a couple of months ago and feel quite glad that the discomfort seemed to only last for a lttle while and the following day she was back to her old self. We waited until her first season and half way to her next until we had the op and worried that it might change her character and she would lose her glossy coat, but so far she is still behaving like the daft pup she always was and her coat is gleaming! Now we don't have to worry about her being caught and she's none the wiser.
Good luck with your dog.