Spaying. what age. pros and cons.

Ive not had my two done and rarely have over the years but do i think its a good idea??? If your not breeding then yes 100% its gotta be done, now do they put weight on? Some do, why? The dogs make up the lack of exersize or over feeding so sensible eating and plenty of walks then should be fine.

 

I can give you info for both sides of the before or after 1st season speying debate - If you spey the bitch before her first season 4-5 months old then you are preventing any mammary changes from happening therefore the likelyhood of mammary tumours developing in later life is very very tiny, the vet has told you he prefers this as the operation itself is easier for the vet due to the small size of the organs and the small blood supply they have, I personally know several people who have had their bitches speyed early and they all bounced back very quickly,

If you spey the bitch early (before 1st Season) then she does not effectively 'hit puberty' in that the hormones which kick in with her season never come so there is a line of thought that the bitch will never mature properly and may keep some puppy traits, may be a little smaller than she may have been.

If you let her have a season she does then have the risk of mammary tumours developing, false pregnancy, real pregnancy, pyometra womb infection (mostly rare at first season but can happen)

But that way she has all her hormones and is 'fully developed'

Weight gain is not a proven outcome of speying, its simple eat too much and don't exercise enough you will put on weight!

I think you should speak to your vet again, you clearly have a good relationship with him and have trusted him to care for your pets for many years, this is a very controversial subject which people have strong opinions on so you could end up with very conflicting opinions as to what's best.

I had a bitch who had 3 litters of pups and was speyed at 5 she had a full mammary strip on her right side at the same time due to tumours, she was 6 when I got her and lived to 15 without any further mammary problems.

Good Luck whatever you decide :luck:

 

Personally, I would never have a bitch speyed until they were physically matured......bones, muscles ect given a chance to mature given the lifetime of working ahead of them. On the other hand, in your situation, with a litter brother (any plans for neutering there?) the risk of unplanned litter to cope with?