Have been checking through the posts and wondered if anyone thought a bitch just over 8 years old was too late to be spayed. I have never been able to get her in welp, we have tried every season since she was two and a half and gave up when she was five, so obviously there is a problem there and she does suffer with terible phantoms.

There is always a risk from the anaesthetic at any age, but if she is having awful phantoms after each season, then I would think the benefits outweigh the risks.Is your bitch in good health apart from the phantoms?

To be honest I would think it is about the correct age, providing the bitch is declared fit to undergo the operation, I would have little worry. Yes, antithetic always carries a risk, but it is very slight, much lower than sedation.

Hi,

Just my opinion, but in many breeds 8 would be fine - assuming from your name that this is a Dane, so a shorter life span than many breeds plus intolerance to anaesthetic - I would take your vet's advice on this, and have all proposed tests before going ahead.

That said, (from personal experience!) in general I would rather spay as a preventative when you know the bitch is fit and well - having had a 12 year old with a pyo, who then had to be spayed as an emergency, I would now aim to spay by approx. 8 in all cases.

M.

I think eight is ok especially if she is healthy.A few years ago my cairn developed pyometra at 13 years of age and had to be spayed and I so wish I'd have had her done earlier.
SUE