Hi,
I asked my vet when we can book Tilly in to be spayed - as she was a stray we dont know her exact age, but the vet estimates around 5 months old. The vet said book her in after her 1st season... when i asked why (i dont know anyone with a bitch who had to do this), she said something about research into incontinence in spayed bitches - but then went on to say that the research proved that spaying does not have this effect... i was confused! But i came away without arguing the point b'cos i didnt feel confident i knew what i was talking about. The only thing i can think is that it is to verify her age? Yet my mum didnt know her bitch's age but the vet spayed her once she thought she was old enough. Should i ring another vet for a 2nd opinion? i really would prefer to have her spayed before her 1st season, mainly because we have only had her for 4 weeks, and although she is very obedient at home, she isnt when she's out! (she only been able to go out for the last week due to jabs etc, so not had much chance to practise obedience yet) and dogs are already showing interest in her. She was an unwanted crossbreed accident, i really dont want to be responsible for any more.
Anyone else had this advice? To me it sounds on a par with 'let them have one litter before spaying' rubbish.
Would appreciate any advice,
Lynz and Tilly
x

Hi Lynz,
A great many vets, owners and breeders believe that it is important for a bitch to have one season before she is spayed. It means you are sure she is reasonably physically mature. A significant number of bitches spayed before their first season develop urinary incontinence by about 20 months of age, resulting in lifetime medication. The surgery is also easier (for both bitch and vet) when the uterus is 'dormant' as it is midway between seasons - close to a season the blood supply is hugely increased, and the sudden shutdown of the flooding hormones can cause can lead to behavioural problems.

Three months after her first season would be the best time.
Hope this helps.
:)

thanks jean. I guess i'll just have to keep a close eye on her when she is on season. Scary! :( Never dealt with a bitch on season before. Will do a search on relevant posts.
Thanks again,
Lynz x

Hi Lynz,
It really isn't too bad having a bitch in season. You do have to be very vigilant, and literally not let the bitch out of your sight outdoors, even in your own garden. Exercise her on a lead, ideally taking her in the car to a quiet place for her walk, so that the 'joyful tidings' don't lead to your door!

Get a supply of chlorophyll tablets from the petshop ('Amplex' or 'Antimate' have worked well with my bitches in the past) and if you're careful you'll be fine.
:)

I can see you have good intentions - but you should trust your vet. Its always recommended to let a bitch have a season before spaying for the reasons J/G has given you :) Put up with the first season for your dogs sake, it won't be too bad with her still being so young.

You'll know when she's in season, and thats the only time you have to worry about other dogs showing interest - and keep her in the house. Once thats over with, you have three months to get her in the best of health ready for what is effectively a major op.

HTH
Chloe

thanks for all the advice everyone. We dont drive but i'm sure we'll get by, i'll have to take her very early or very late for a run i think. Hehe theres a jack russell next door already 'fancies' her and they both dig hard trying to get at each other! I think her intentions are innocent but i bet his arent ;)
Lynz and Tilly

Hehehe, my mothers GSP has fancied the pants off our Minx since she was 10 weeks old. He's forever trying to 'climb on', I'm sure she doesn't know he's being a sexual deviant and will run off or lie down when he starts! She's a week or two off seven months now, and we're keeping a very close eye on her so that when she comes into season we can get the chastity belt out, lol. We are having to wait patiently for 3 months after her first too, our vet mentioned something about an increased blood supply to the uterus just before the season making complications from the surgery more likely, and of course you never know when your bitch is going to come into season for the first time! Ho hum, patience is a virtue I guess, hehehe.

Hi,

You have a good vet!!!!! Many want to jump in a spay bitches before a first season and a dog at about 6 months old. Both of these can cause problems later on, so stick with what your vet says. :)

manda
X

My friends vet spayed her bitch before her first season and now she has incontinence, and is on medication now for the rest of her life. When she went back to the vets with the problem they told her it was because she was spayed before her first season yet they did it in the first place I was always led to believe after the first season is best
Bev