Just went to search the web to see what age Molly would be in season and guess what found a posting from here in March when a guest said her shih tzu was 7 months and in season. I thought I had searched properly ... just shows :o The whole web site didnt come up just the question and an answer :)

Anyway Molly is now 6 months, 1 week and 1 day old. Shall I wait now until she has had her first season or should I have her spayed now? I dont want anything to go wrong if she is near her season. I am only having her spayed because as she is the first girl dog I have had I am not at all sure what to do for the best but have come to the conclusion that perhaps she should be spayed although I am dreading her having an op.

Any and all advice welcome please :D

Ta Gina

Most people tend to wait until a few weeks after the end of the first season to have the bitch spayed. That way the blood supply to the uterus have reduced back to normal and it makes the operation a lot safer.

My parents had their Cocker spayed about 4wks after she'd been in season.

HTH

Fiona
x x x

PS - Have you spoken to Mollys breeder to ask when the mother first came into season? It can follow that if the mother was a late/early bloomer that Molly could be as well.

Fiona
Can you recommend a book I can buy because the ones I have on shih tzus are not any help and I have NO idea what to look for or expect or what is involved with seasons - stupid I know but I would like to know how/when she is coming into season. Is it easy to spot this or not? Am I panicking too much as well because I feel I need to know about her breed especially and not other dogs who may be different. My books dont anything in detail. Sorry to waffle but now I know she may be near one I am panicking slightly cos that is how I am :o
Many thanks Gina

Gina try the book of the bitch it is excellant and I constantly refer to it even now when I am supposed to know what I am doing after 16 years with dogs :D Gillian

Same here, it is one I always refer back to. there are so many useful charts, like all the developmental milestones in a neotnatal puppy! Charts on the Oestrus cycle etc. Also a table about specific breeding traits of various breeds, including the age range at first season and any odd things. EG that GSD often have short inter season intervals, often 4 monthly! Litter size etc

Just a suggestion, why not wait until she has had second season as by then you will know if you can cope with them or not. Anyway I would rather leave the bitch until half way through the time between her 2nd & 3rd season. Agree that the Book of the Bitch is a very good book to own and as a paper back is not too expensive. Jackie

Shall order it now. I didnt want to spend money again on another book which didnt mention my breed because the books I have on her breed are not that brilliant. Thanks for all the help. I have decided to leave her for at least one season just in case she does have a season soon, read the book and then make my mind up. Still not sure about an op. for such a weeny dog so I will bide my time a bit.

Thanks Gina

i have a stafford bitch she was 13 months when she had her first season took her to the vets for her second jab and told the vet he said it wasent a problem some bitches only have one season a year shes nearly two now and still not had a second one saves a lot of mess. my vet always advises to spay after second season as they are a bit more mature then

Thanks Gwen
Gina