Some of you may remember us having to rehome Gypsy at the beginning of the year.   Well, she has settled in fantastically in her new home - she is a happy, bouncy, well-behaved middle-aged lab, good weight - not overweight - and her new owner has lost weight and got her diabetes almost under control!   Should add there are no uncastrated dogs living near her, either.

Now Pam's problem is this:  should she have Gypsy spayed?   Her experience of having a bitch spayed was that afterwards she didn't want to exercise and did become overweight, and Pam feels that she didn't have the same amount of "life" in her that Gypsy has.   The vet is worrying her though, with threats of cancer/pyometra etc.  

So, I said I would come on here, and get as many views as possible - so all opinions gratefully received.

Margot

Hi Margot,

Great news that Gypsy is such a happy girl!

On your question, I'd be inclined to have her spayed because I have a fear of pyos in older bitches - I think more so the fact that Gypsy has an ongoing health issue already in her diabetes.  IMO the less potential health issues to deal with during the progression of the ageing process the better should there be a need for an emergency GA.

HTH, Teri :)

No - its not Gypsy with diabetes - its Pam :D !

Margot

:rolleyes:  One day when I grow up I'm gonna learn to read :D

First of all, fantastic news that Gypsy's having a wonderful life; it must be an enormous relief to you - rehoming her must have been awful.

As for the spaying - it's impossible to say what will happen. Left unspayed there's no guarantee that she's going to get hormonally-influenced cancers; they're more common in unspayed bitches than in spayed bitches, but even so it's a minority of unspayed bitches get them. Pyometra's a bit of a different matter - that can happen at any age, but if you're aware of the possibility you keep more of an eye out for it and respond sooner.

I've had bitches spayed at 1 year (2 of them, one a lab), 6 years and 7 years. Only one (the one spayed at 7) has had a slight problem with her weight but she's been just as lively as I'd expect.

I think personally if I didn't want the hassle of seasons I'd have a bitch spayed, but otherwise not. But I stress that's just my personal opinion.

Personally Margot, having had both my older bitches have pyo and need spaying as an emergency operation, I will be aiming to have bitches spayed as a routine operation when they're around 8 years old and in full health.

M.

I too would have her spayed, having had an 11 1/2 year old with a bad heart have to have an emergency spay over an Easter Bank Holiday weekend I've had my bitches spayed early rather than too late

I suppose I've been very lucky.  Had Pomeranian's live until they were 16 with never a worry of pyo from any of them over the last 25 years.  Dilita my Spanish had a pyo but it was controlled by strong medication and she was fine afterwards, didn't have her done either.  I do wonder sometimes whether it was a pyo though my vet seemed to think so and he didn't seem too worried about it at the time.  She died 12 months later at the age of 12 which is the average for the breed.

My eldest girl is 13 next month and as you all know she had quite a major op. earlier this year which she came through and is like a 2 year old at the moment.  I'm still wondering whether to spay her but must admit i'm finding it hard to make a decision at her age, plus I'm going to let her enjoy her game fair on Sunday and then the last few water training events over the next couple of months and then I'll make a definite decision.  Though at the moment whilst she's still like a spring lamb she's going to enjoy herself :d

My dog is only 2 yrs 8 mths so difficult to compare, if you can compare at all but I had her spayed last December and she hasn't put on weight.  In fact amazingly from being weighed Aug last year, December and then June her weight has remained exactly the same.  She is just the same energywise too, although that might be because she is just an utter nutter :D

From my own personal experience of weight problems, lack of energy and overweight go hand in hand so possibly just keeping a very close eye on the bitch's weight would combat any lethargic tendancies.  Also, keeping the dog away from the darned computer would probably help. :rolleyes: :D

I have my girls spayed as their 8th birthday present (horrible owner that I am) or if I am keeping a dog puppy from one of my girls.  As i run dogs and bitches together it just makes for a slightly easier life!

I've never had any side effects from spaying them - be it incontinence or putting on weight.  yes sometimes the weight does need watching but then it does for most dogs as they get older and less active anyway.

Kate

For the risk of Pyo I would have her spayed.  But have to agree with the weight thing, I see so many bitches after spaying pile on the pounds and of course the coat changes too.

With Gypsy being a fit lab now at the right weight is my only concern that she too may pile on the pounds, not so good for her legs, I am soon to think of having my bitch spayed, and I know I shall have it done, mainly due to the pyo risk, but am worried about the weight gain, out of interest those of you who's bitches have kept their figure, how do you do it?  I have seen other bitches, exercised exactly the same after spays and eating the same, but still pile on the pounds, do you need to cut down their food to half what they used to eat, I think my girl would be very upset, but is this how you keep a spayed bitch slim?

We had a Lab that was spayed at 9 years. She was obese at the time (I was only young and family used to stuff her with shortbread!) Anyway, we put her on a diet afterwards and she got nice and slim and lived till 15. I would go for the spay.

I had my most special dog spayed at 10 and a half due to a pyometra -  for that reason, I'd always have them done, I never want to go through that awful time again. For me, personally, the risk would be too much.

She didn't become obese :)

Lindsay
x

No spayed bitch I have had has put weight on either. That said, I still wouldn't want to have them done early, particularly in my breed, due to chances of coat change and incontinence, but I feel this balance changes as they get older.

M.

Tara was spayed at about 16 months without any problems (she's 4 1/2). I have no problem keeping her slim, although she is a fit and active Aussie. I just reduce/increase the food depending on the feel of her and according to weather/level of activity etc. Her coat hasn't been affected and I often receive compliments on how soft and shiny it is (although that could just as easily be down to her raw diet ;) :D ) :)

Daisy