Well called the vet today roxie now has an appointment for monday the 28th to be spayed. gonna be 100 or 110 dollars depending on how much she ways and an extra 60$s if she goes into heat. she is exactly 6 months old today.
That's a big decision. I found it difficult to have my puppy spayed. What led you to this decision? And why at 6 months old?
We have booked Ella in to be spayed on the 28th as well! She will be a week short of 6 months and it costs $560 Australian (about 260 pounds and 400 US dollars). It's tough to think about putting our baby girl through such a big procedure but we are very comfortable with the decision. We are never going to breed with Ella so we when weighed up the risks of the procedure, the health benefits of having it done, the risk of unwanted puppies and the general inconvenience of dealing with a bitch in heat we felt that it was a good decision for us. We then did a bit of our own research about the timing, asked the breeder (we still chat every couple of weeks), a couple of vets and some friends that have veterinary experience about the best time and found that the general consensus was 5-6 months. The main reasoning behind the age is to maximise the health benefits by having the procedure before they go into heat for the first time. I understand there are a lot of different theories on this and I'm definitely not saying we are right and others are wrong (or that there is a right and wrong). All we did was make a reasonable judgement based on the information available to us. Good luck to Roxie, I'm sure she'll bounce back in no time at all ☺ x
Juno was spayed at 5.5 months, the preferred age at our vet practice. I had no doubts about having her spayed, and spayed before a season. It certainly doesn't seem to have had any impact on her
I had Mabel spayed at 6.5 months. It is such a difficult decision. I spoke to 4 different vets. 3 said its fine to have her spayed before her first season and one vet said he wouldn't be happy doing it. I'm never going to breed from her as she has ED it would be ethically and morally wrong. Good luck Roxie, if she's anything like my girl she'll be fine and bounce back really quickly. X
I'm sure Roxie will be fine I know you've mentioned before that it'd be almost impossible to keep Roxie away from entire male dogs and so there's a high risk of pregnancy if she is not spayed. Given the situation you are in I think you are making a sensible and kind decision. I know you'll take good care of her and she'll bounce back quickly after the op.
And that's all you can do! I find it very interesting that Willow, who was spayed before her first season, is significantly taller than two of her sisters, both of whom were left until after their seasons. I've read that this is quite common with earlier spaying, but since the litter are all different shapes and sizes anyway, I do wonder how much of an impact the spaying had on her in this respect.
Gypsy was spayed at 6 months. It went really well, she was 100% fine after the op, the scar was tiny, no external stitches. No cone needed. She healed within a couple of weeks. She grew up happy and healthy. They are doing a huge study at Guide Dogs (1000s of bitches + controls) and following them from cradle to grave. Gypsy was part of the study - Twiglet will also be spayed at 6 months. I am pleased as, in my view it's much better - far less chance of complications.
Lady was spayed at 9 months - also before her first season. Also inside stitches and no cone. She's fine too. She seems to have retained her puppy fur though. Much finer and softer than all the other Labs I know.
Thanks 6 months is the recommended age here. I live in missouri. Yes her best dog friend is a male chocolate lab who is not fixed she loves playing with.
Slightly off topic but my friends bitch who was spayed at around 2 also has a very fine, soft coat unlike Riley who has that slightly wiry top coat. I do think, in working lines particularly there are some softer coats around than the traditional double coat. Back on topic....sounds like a very sensible decision if you can't keep her away from intact male dogs! Good luck Roxie, I'm sure you'll be fine
Shadow (yellow boy) has a very soft coat. Willow (black bitch) has that wiry top coat. When they go swimming, Willow dries markedly faster than Shadow, who seems to get a lot wetter. I assume it's some sort of genetic "fault".
It is a difficult one. I haven't had Poppy spayed, nor were my two previous male dogs neutered. But it's a decision each person makes, depending on their dog and circumstances. I'm sure Roxy will be absolutely fine, and will bounce back quickly. You are being a very responsible dog owner, thinking all this through so carefully; it's obvious you care for her very much.
