I have a 14 week old GSD pup (bitch) and am undecided about when to spay. My last GSD had a season first, but there are two schools of thought. One is to do it at 6 months, a less difficult op for dog, and the other to wait until sexual organs are mature after one season. I have no intention of breeding she is just (allegedly) a good companion!

So especially to all you GSD people out there, what are your views?

Thanks

Katrina

My vet says that at 6 months they may well be building up to a season, which makes surgery a little more difficult and may also prevent proper mental maturity developing. Personally I would spay midway between the first and second season if you have no intention of breeding from her. :)

Agree with Jeangenie - let her have her first season then have her spayed.
Steph

Katrina,

My vet will not spay until after the first season, so the decision has been made for me, hopefully by someone more informed.

Stacey

Hi

My vet would not spay before the first season either. I was a little undecided as to whether to have it done or not anyway but after the first season she had a phantom pregnancy and was VERY miserable and uncomfortable so it kind of made my mind up for me.

My vet gave the same reasons as Jeangenie for waiting until after the first season and told me to book her in 3 months after the start of her season. He also said that the chances of incontinence in old age due to spaying were greatly reduced by waiting until after the season.

Hope this helps

Karen

I fully agree with everyone here. Wait until after the first season. This way you can be sure all the reproductive organs are fully formed before they are removed. Otherwise if they are removed too soon before development, the hormones can kick in later in life leading to incontinence.
The argument for having a spay before the first season is to prevent the occurence of mammary tumours. However, weighing up the odds, these tumours are usually little to worry about, and can be removed safely. On the other hand incontinence cannot be cured & can give misery to both dog & owner.
Also, you need to be sure your pup is old enough to tolerate an anaesthetic, as this could prove fatal in a young animal.

Regards,
Tiggy.

Thanks everyone, that was pretty unanimous! That's what I did with my first GSD girl, so that's what I'll do this time. You all confirmed what was in my heart.

Thanks all.

Katrina