Hi all, my Sweepy will be 7 in April & I had intended to have her speyed this coming wk as she`s mid season but I`m having real doubts now. She`s had one litter & I`m never having another from her. The reason for speying was the time before last when she was in season it drove the boys mad! She always come in with my other girl & now I have another female pup so it maybe I`ll have all 3 come in togethre!
There is no problem with the girls or boys fighting, they all get along but it is hard work (for me) keeping them seperate! This is my only reason really for having her speyed & the closer the time comes the more I`ve got doubts its not good enough!!! She`s in great health by the way & although I know the concerns of unspeyed bitches & cancer its not something I`d do for that reason alone. Its justniggling me more & more its not the best thing to do!!!
What do you think? Thanks.
Bit pushed for time right now but should be back on later tonight :)

Christine, Spain.

Whats stopping you in your mind Christine ?
The only worry I'd personally have if she were mine is if she accidently mated at a later age?

I had to make this decision last year, with my then 6yr old bitch. I got my male dog 2 years ago and it was the keeping them seperated when she came in that finally made my mind up for me, as I didn't want an accidental mating. And it distressed both of them, they were frustrated, to say the least, for 2 weeks.

What are your other reservations Christine? I considered the risk of surgery, don't like GA's, albeit they are supposed to be safer now, the possible incontinence, weight gain and change of character. I couldn't justify in my mind, having a healthy bitch operated on. I ummed and aahhed for a while and then realised that if a dog got to her it wouldn't be fair on any of us so I got her done.

She hasn't changed at all, apart from a slightly heavier coat, and I am now really pleased that I went ahead. I am soon to get another bitch and I will do exactly the same with her, let her have a couple of seasons, and have the inconvenience of seperating them, then get her speyed. I know all bitches are different after the operation,  and I did have a bitch years ago that suffered incontinence, but this is my most recent experience.

Christine,

I think that you have got to go with your own instincts over this one, you have the experience and knowledge to know what is best for your bitch.  If you decide not to have her spayed this season it doesn't mean that the option is closed forever, you can change your mind at any time :) :)

Don't know if this helps much :(

Regards
Dill

Hi Lel, can`t put my finger on it, was fine as I mad e the decision a yr ago but had a lot going on & had to wait till we were settled & could care for her without distractions but now the times here.....I`m feeling selfish.

Hi H/pooch, I`m not sure whats bothering me now, its nothing & everything! I`ve just remembered why the last time she was in season & it was stress free for all of us was because I would change my clothes when going between the boys & the girls!!! After my other eldest speyed girl Sweepy is boss of them all & I hadn`t really thought of change in personality, its more am I putting her thru major surgery because it`ll make life easier for me??

Hi Dill, yep my instincts are niggling me & I don`t know why! If I could say what was bothering me I`d be able to work it thru, just can`t pin one thing down tho! Think you might be right, if I do cancel this time doesn`t mean it can`t be done in the future.

Thanks guys, think I`ll go with my instincts & delay it. :) Got the vet ringing in the morning to confirm appt & thats why I needed to work it thru befor tomorrow!

Christine, Spain.

Hi

I had Phoebe spayed about 6 months ago and although I was worried it went very very well - far better than I could have imagined.

She was absolutely fine, she was a bit sore the first day but back to normal the second. She had no painkillers and one stitch and a tiny cut.

You honestly couldn't tell she ahs had anything done at all...but I am *so* glad not to have the seasons to manage any more. Its a big relief.

I have to say it was a lot different from a few years back when my mums dog got spayed!

Hi Christine.
Oddly enough the same question is going through my mind at the moment too. Having Sal in season was one thing one bitch twice a year - Having 2 bitches now with the pup who's first season started this week it's making me consider spaying again - I considered  having a  litter from Sal this year but have thought again and decided Not for me - too many Staffords out there and although they are both excellent pedigree/breeding the gene pool is big enough not to have their input.
And taking Sal out today for a lovely walk without Tess (who's in season) was terrible, the pup did not settle all the while I was out with Sal.
But the spaying issue scares me itself especially since a person I know (Lel knows too) lost their  perfectly healthy Stafford bitch during a spaying.
Hard to decide but I will be more than happy to read responses.
The stress of seasons is not lost on me. and I have had a bitch with closed pyometra (and wouldn't want that again)
Karen 

I know that no operation is 100% safe - but, as Chloe, I had no problems at all when Tara was spayed. She was groggy the first day, but after that I had to restrain her exuberance :D Didn't touch her stitch. No after effects, so far, 18 months on :)

Daisy

Oh its difficult isn`t it???? !!!!!
I don`t why I`m feeling like this as I`d planned it awhile back. This morning I`m again undecided what to do so going to muck out the goats & see how I feel when vet rings. Am going to try think more all my dogs instead of just Sweep as individual, maybe that help.
Thanks guys will let you know later :)
Christine, Spain.

Hi Christine

I always have my speyed when they are 6 or 7 years old, and have never had any problems at all - no incontinence, no real change of coat, up and about within a couple of hours, and although they put on a bit of weight when they get older, well we all do that don't we? 

However a couple of years ago my friend died and I took her 10 year old bitch in.  She was not speyed and after about 6 months developed a pyometra so she had to be speyed.  At nearly 11 it took her over a week before she was on her feet properly and regained her 'spark for living'.  This just proved to me that it is the right decision to have them routinely speyed earlier. 

12.o.clock wednesday.

My mums quite elderly & I could have to go back to uk at anytime. Right now things are all ok healthwise with all of us, everythings nice & quite & I can give her all my attention to care for her afterwards.

Thanks for the input folks, fingers crossed it all goes smoothly :)

Christine, Spain.

Sure it will Christine ;)

I hummed and haaaed when Amber got to eight but decided to go ahead with it Christine, and must admit lifes been pretty stress free ever since :)