Some veterinarians still recommend spaying your dog at four months old, once she has completed her vaccinations. This procedure is quicker for dogs of this age and safer for animals because they are unconscious for a shorter time and can recover faster than older canines.
Shelters and rescues are more likely to spay dogs as early as possible. Shelters will not allow a dog to be adopted until she is spayed.
Here are some reasons to not spay your dog early
We are learning more about the negative consequences of early spaying. There isn’t a universally applicable solution, but the following ideas are worth considering:
- It is not possible to prevent breast cancer by starting early.
- It doesn’t matter if you are suffering from pyometra.
- Spaying a dog too soon can cause them to urinate.
- Spaying too soon could lead to arthritis (joint disorder).
- It is possible to reduce your risk of developing cancer by starting treatment early.
Can my dog be spayed early to prevent breast cancer?
Although this is often used to justify early spaying of dogs, statistics don’t support it. Although early spaying will reduce your dog’s risk of breast cancer later in life, few dogs contract this illness, and the danger of having breast cancer is not as high as the risk of other diseases.
(Urine dribbling is one symptom that will require treatment for the remainder of the dog’s life.)
Spaying a dog later than usual can result in a very small number of dogs getting mammary cancer.
It would seem that the dog’s breed is far more significant. The following dogs are at highest risk for mammary carcinoma:
- American Cocker Spaniel
- English Springer Spaniel
- Leonberger
- Boxer
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Welsh Terrier
- Doberman Pinscher
These are the top 7,000 dogs that were studied. They were all spayed or neutered and never had breast cancer.
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pug
- West Highland White Terrier
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Saint Bernard
Studies suggest that you spay your Cocker puppy as soon possible. If you have a Westie, however, you should be more concerned with other issues. You can respond with “Prove it” if a neighbor or a vet advises you to spay your dog as a puppy to prevent breast cancer because the evidence will not support that claim.
Spayed Dogs Do Not Like To Dig In The House.
The likelihood of a dog urinating while walking is increased by spaying it before the age of three months. Most canines will experience this problem within their first year.
Some of the most affected breeds include:
- West Highland White Terrier
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd Dog
- Shetland Sheepdog
- English Springer Spaniel
All breeds are sensitive to hormones. However, some can also be affected by hormone retention due to not being spayed or neutered early enough. Even though it’s not life-threatening, these dogs occasionally wind up in kill shelters because the family is no longer willing or able to handle the issue.
What age should I have my dog spayed to prevent Pyometra?
Pyometra is almost never seen in young dogs. You can treat Pyometra by spaying your dog as soon as she turns four. Only the Dogue de Bordeaux breed is known to be at high risk when young. However, even then, it only shows up in adulthood after many heat cycles. The average age for pyometra to appear was 3.3 years.
It does not matter if your dog was spayed or neutered as a puppy.
Is my dog at risk of developing arthritis if she is spayed too soon?
A study of Golden Retrievers found that hip dysplasia was twice as common if the dogs were neutered young. Also, dogs were more likely to experience anterior cruciate tears. Other joint conditions also appeared to be more common in dogs.
Early spaying can increase the risk of joint problems in dogs.
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Rottweiler
- Saint Bernard
You might want to wait if your large dog breed is mixed with one of these dogs. However, this has not been proven. It is unlikely that small dog breeds will develop arthritis if they are spayed young.
Spayed Dogs are More Likely to Get Cancer
These are the most common cancers in dogs that have been spayed/neutered:
- Osteosarcoma
- Lymphoma
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Transitional Cell Carcimona
- Mastocytoma
For many malignancies, we don’t know if the dogs had been spayed earlier or later. Mast cell cancers were rare in young dogs who had been spayed. Spayed dogs are much more likely than non-spayed dogs to develop the tumor Hemangiosarcoma. It is most commonly found in the spleen and heart.
Numerous studies show that neutered dogs have a higher risk of developing cancer than intact dogs. This is especially true for lymphoma, which is three times more common in early-neutered dogs. No cases were reported in neutered dogs.
You should be especially careful if your dog is susceptible to cancer.
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Rottweiler
- Boxer
- German Shepherd Dog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Dane
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Doberman
Do I have to let my dog go into heat before I spay?
Spaying a dog following a heat cycle after it has been established is a good idea. Dogs who have had at least one heat cycle are statistically more likely to develop bones that are fully formed. The dog is less likely to pee because his urinary system has grown over time.
It’s a little more troublesome to not spay before the first heat. You may need to buy “doggy diapers” to prevent dripping blood all over the home since if you don’t get her spayed early, you will have to keep her tied up when she starts attracting males.
What is the best time to wait after heat to spay a dog?
While many vets can perform the procedure quicker than expected, even for dogs in heat, it is still a good idea not to rush. It is possible to cause blood loss by performing the procedure too soon. This is because dogs in heat tend bleed more than those who are not.
The dog should wait for three months before he is ready to go. After the previous heat cycle, blood vessels won’t be particularly huge, and haven’t yet begun to form any new blood vessels for the upcoming heat.
Do I have to let my dog have puppies before getting her spayed?
There are no benefits to letting your dog have puppies before you spay her. Additional costs such as food, veterinary visits, deworming fees and initial vaccinations will be incurred. You also need to consider finding homes for the puppies.
Can my dog get fat after she’s spayed?
Dogs can gain weight after being spayed for many reasons. Dogs’ metabolism slows down and estrogen’s ability to control their hunger is no longer there.
A low-calorie diet and a switch to high-fiber food after spaying is the best way to keep skinny dogs healthy. This article offers additional information on how to make your dog’s exercise program the best.
Does Spaying make female dogs behave better?
It is generally believed that spaying your dog at an adult age will not change her personality. However some dogs may show aggressive or frightening behavior if they are spayed at an early age.
She will act the same as before and any behavioral issues she suffered before the operation, she will likely continue to behave in that way. You will not stop snoring if your dog has been spayed.
How old is too late to spay my dog?
You may not want to spay your dog as soon as possible. She might become used to being cared for every six months while she’s in heat. Then, when she is older, you will decide that you are ready to do the surgery.
Is your dog too old?
Your dog can be spayed at any age. Spaying your dog at any age is a good idea as it can help prevent pyometra in older dogs who are more likely to develop it. You’ll have to pay several thousand dollars if your dog contracts this illness and needs urgent surgery to treat it.
The veterinarian will require a blood test to check for infection and determine the health of senior pets before administering anesthesia.
There are pros and cons to spaying my dog
Pros:
- It is easier for the dog to be trained early, which results in less blood loss and quicker healing.
- You don’t have to worry about bloody discharges
- There is no need to attract males around your house
- Dogs live longer
- No ovarian and uterine cancers
- Polyps are a rare uterine disease.
- You are unlikely to get down with pyometra
Cons:
- Certain cancer risks are increasing
- Spayed dogs may consume less calories, but they can still eat more. If you don’t control their food, they’ll get fatter.
- Spayed dogs are more likely to live longer as they have better health care than intact dogs.
- Hypothyroidism and diabetes may be more common in spayed dogs.
Recent research suggests that a veterinarian would recommend waiting until your dog is more mature before you spay. According to recent research, the AAHA still recommends spaying puppies at age five. Doctors who follow their advice, however, will continue to recommend spaying young dogs.
You should ask around for other perspectives if your vet recommends early spaying. You might not be in a position to stop your dog from being spayed if they are getting it done through a shelter.
Revisions will be made after a new study.
This veterinarian advises a spay that doesn’t remove the ovaries. The hormone feedback is important for her health, even though the dog may still display different behavior during heat.
There are disadvantages to this procedure, including the longer incision time and prolonged operation required to remove any cervix remnants left after a standard spay. The cervix expands when a dog is hot. If it is not removed, complications can occur.
You should first discuss your decision with your vet if you decide to spay your dog. Not all vets do this.
Source: PetHelpful
