My eight month old bitch is one week into her first season. I am obviously being fanatically careful to keep her within the confines of my own home! I have never intended to breed from her, she is my much loved pet so I need to have her spayed before her next season. My question is, how long after the season is the best time to have it done? She is coming away with us on holiday in August, so I want it done before then and for her to have time to properly heal and be her usual exuberant self to enjoy all those lovely walks!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Liz

Depending on her size it might be an idea to wait until after her next season when she will be fully grown skeletally.

the best time is half way between seasons, so three months after this one started.

If she is of a small breed then this may give her enough time to mature, as she will be about 11 months.

If it were my breed I would say wait until after the next season an spay at 14-16 months.

i had our dog spayed at about 11 months she had had her first season and was due for her second season to start in about 2/3 months time, we had absolutley no problems with her and her recovery was great (except a phamptom preg which lasted 2 days) i would wait a month or two after season then have a word with your vet, i was told that a bitch does not have to have her first season either before being spayed.

Thank you for your replies. This is the first time I have posted on this forum, but understand I cannot mention the breed? She is about fully grown (the vet says) and she weighs 20 KGS- she is on the small side for her breed.
Thanks again
Liz

you can mention the breed as long as you are not breeding ;)
So which breed is she???
Lea :)

Oh right!
She is a labrador. I didn't want to risk breaking the rules on my first visit here LOL.
Liz

Vets will spay very Young pups, this doesn't mean it is good for their long term health and development.  there are pros and cons.

Increasingly evidence shows that prepubescent and neutering before physical and mental maturity has unwanted side effects.  http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

With a Labrador I would say wait for another season as she is nowhere near mature.

I can vouch for the unwanted side effects.

We had our girl spayed before her first season, basically 6 months old at the vets advice, and she has what has been describved as Peter Pan syndrome (She will never get old and slow, she will be young acting all the time!)and her back end and chest didnt fully develop in synch with the rest of her body and she looks slightly disproportioned! lol poor girl lol
The vets didnt even know you sholud wait when I confronted them about it, sad times when your own vet doesnt know when to spay a bitch. :(

Unfortunately most new Vets are encouraged into the 'Welfare' view of population control being the overriding factor.

Sadly though it is often the most responsible owners who will neuter, the ones who would have been responsible enough not to need to, or to wait.

the ones who allow their bitches to roam whilst in season, and allow their males to roam, belong to the camp who think every bitch
should have a litter because she can, because pups are cute and they are all going to find ideal homes.

I hate it when people say that a bitch should have at least one litter as it stops them having phantoms, or is best fir the bitch.

Like you say Barbara its us responsible ones who suffer and the back yard breeders are free to breed pups at their own free will. :( And these are also the people who never vaccinate their dogs with yearly boosters putting our vaccinated dogs at a greater risk again.

Hi all and thanks again to everyone for your input. I do agree with all that has been said in that I do not want any litters from my bitch, planned or otherwise! For one, I have no experience or knowledge and for another I don't see my baby as what may be termed as an excellent example of her breed. No, she is our pet and our pride and joy, so  I just want what is best for her. I have made the decision to let her have another season and then speak to my vet.
Thanks again
Liz

Great to see someone who listens and learns! lol

Its good you have decided to have her as your pet and not a breeding bitch, we spayed our girl as she isnt the example of the breed to have pups from, so know what you mean about just having her as a pet :)

Good luck with her spaying and good luck in your future together! xx

I agree with Rach85 - a very sensible decision taken from advice on this forum from experienced dog owners/breeders. 
Your vet, may of course take a different view and say after one season it will be ok.  Judge for yourself, if she looks fully grown and mature ok - but I would have my doubts.  8 months is quite young to have her first season - I have similar sized breed and mine are normally around the year to have their first.
IMO owners who take on a bitch puppy should be aware that they may well have to cope with one or two seasons before having her spayed - if that it too much trouble, then think again about buying a bitch - or a dog full stop!