I am having my 2 year old retriever spayed in the next few weeks and I am quite concerned about spay incontinence from some of the posts that I've read on here and now I'm having cold feet.I have got to do this though as I have a dog of 7 months. I  had 2 bitches before that suffered from pyrometra and I wouldn't want her to go through that. Is Spay incontinence common?
Ange

I have had two bitches spayed and never had a problem with spay related or indeed any other form of incontinence if that helps.

Thanks tohme I just needed reassurance. I have no option but to have her done so hopefully fingers crossed. I have left it 8 to 10 weeks after her last season as the vet advised.
Ange

Have had a number of bitches spayed and it seems to be a certain extent to be breed related. Of the 9 bitches I have experience of 6 were GSD's and of them 3 became incontinent if my memory servers me about 3 months after the op and one of the others was incontinent twice a year almost as if it followed the cycle of her non existent seasons. Of my present breed I have one that has this seasonal type dribbling that she deals with herself and it causes no problem. Must say I have never had problems with spaying bitches who unlike some dogs seem to get away with it, the only thing apart from the dribbles is the change in body shape and coat. One further point all my bitches were spayed after they reached 5 years some much latter, have know idea if this is relevant or not.

Ange,

Incontinence is not common after spaying, but it can happen. It can happen because of the lack of hormones post-spaying or it can happen because of injury during the spay operation.   If incontinence does occur because of lower hormone production than it is generally controllable by hormone tablets obtained from the vet.

Stacey

Itr is quite common in middle aged spauyed bitches, but I beleive that it is accacerbated by excess weight.  Keep her lean and well excersised and hopefu7lly it won't become a problem.  Propalin is often prescribed to help bitches with this problem.

I have  3 spayed bitches aged almost 7 (only just done a few weeks ago) and one almost 10 and the oldest 12 1/2.  Neither of the old girls have had problems, but they are kept lean and well excersised, and were spayed between 5 and 7 years of age, so son't know if this makes a difference.

Thanks for all your replies its good to hear your opinions.Well I've booked her in for 27 Sept so I will let you know how she does.
Ange

I had my bitch speyed at 14 months.
She started having what the vet called sleep incontinence when she was 3yrs old.
The vet, after examination and tests, put this down to spey incontinence.
We tried hormones but they didn't work.
Now I just make sure I wake her every few hours through the day.
She's not overweight but she is a Mastiff so maybe this is somethign to do with it.

A study conducted showed that some of the bigger breeds were the most likley to develop the problem, and it would seem the incidence in Roties and Boxers is very high.

My goldie was spayed yesterday she is doing well, shes bashing about with a head  collar on as she keeps trying to bite and scratch.I did have a nice surprise when paying the bill I was given a quote of £150 a couple of months ago but it cost £108.