Hello LF Users... Myself and my other half are having a bit of a tough time deciding whether to spay our 7, nearly 8 month old Choc lab bitch. We are not planning on breeding from her and I was originally of the view that we would wait until after she'd had 1 season until we did have her spayed. However, after a trip to the vets last week for a Rabies shot to get a Pet Passport, I began having second thoughts, primarily due to the vet I saw being very adamant that it is best to get her spayed before she has a season. I've read a number of articles on the topic, including Pippa's very thorough ones on the LabSite, and there generally seems to be valid arguments on both sides of the debate as to what's right. There is evidence to support both views that by spaying, there is a reduced risk of mammary cancer, but also increased risk in other cancers. There is also some evidence suggesting it could impact on a dog's growth/physical development. It's a complicated area with a lot of info for and against when to have a bitch spayed. My family used to have a Golden Retriever bitch who we had spayed prior to her first season at our vets advice - that was 15 years ago - and it didn't see to have any negative health impact or inhibit her physical development (she lived until she was 13). I suppose the reason I'm posting is to get the views of other LabForum users - What have been your own experiences? What they have done with their lab bitches? Any thoughts on what you think is the best time to have a bitch spayed? Any and all thoughts would be welcome
My vet also recommended a 6 month spay but after reading around I waited until after her first season. For me it was more about her growth and development.
I opted for spaying after the first season. I wanted her to get maximum mental and physical development .
We opted for after the first season with Cooper. Tilly was done when she was about 8 months. I don't know that it caused any problems, but almost everything I read now suggests waiting until they are fully grown.
Hi with our last lab we waited until after her first season. We now have an 8 month old chocolate girl and we are going to do the same with her. I've heard stories of mental development being affected with early spey and don't want to take the risk. Hope you can come to a decision soon
I have had 3 bitches spayed after their first season. 2 are long gone and had very happy long lives with no problems. Current lady is a happy healthy 4 years
I don't spay my bitches until they are 6-8 years old, and with my current now 4yo bitch, I might not spay her even then. The recent research is pretty clear-cut, you just need to read it: https://www.avidog.com/research-on-the-effects-of-spaying-and-neutering/ You might also want to join this FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AgainstRoutineNeutering/
I had my girl spayed when she was 1 year old (which was the week after we bought her from a breeder who didnt want to breed from her) she wasn't a labrador but she was a Japanese Spitz. She lived till the age of 9 (I dont think the spay caused this as other dogs from the same breeder had passed away quite young too, she passed away of heart failure) For us, we spayed her to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to stop things like pyometra from developing which can kill dogs.
I had 3 bitches spayed when about 8 months and two after their first season. I could see no difference, all the bitches lived to 13/14 years of age. Strangely enough, the two who were spayed after their first season were the ones who became a little incontinent when older.
Thanks everyone - It's a fairly big decision so always helpful to hear about other people's experiences. It's definitely given us some more food for thought, thanks again!
