Mella is now 16 weeks old and thriving but when is the best time (age) to get her spayed. We were going to breed her once and then have it done but have changed our minds. She also needs a rabies jab some time soon!
Re: Best age to have her spayed? If you have her spayed before her second season, the benefit is a reduction in risk of mammary tumours. On the other hand, there are a number of health benefits in waiting until your bitch is physically mature. In the USA and Australia, very early neutering seems more popular than it does here, where many vets like to spay between the first and second season. You might want to wait even longer if she is very young when she first comes on heat, to make sure she has finished growing. This is quite an old document now, but it gives you an idea of the complexity of the subject. There are newer studies coming out all the time.
Re: Best age to have her spayed? Age for neutering can be a bit of a contentious topic. Some people beleive it should be done ASAP whereas others feel it's best to wait until the dog is physically mature. You will get lots of different advice from everyone here so you need to take all the information, as well as doing your own research and make an informed decision based on what is best for you. Also speak to your vet, but don't let them pressure you into what they think is best. Personally I am waiting. I always planned to have Penny done as soon as she was old enough (generally 6 months old) however the choice was taken away as she was diagnosed with a condition that meant she had to have a season before speying otherwise she would have continuously suffered from urine infections for the rest of her life. Because of this, and because it gave me something to think about I went away and did my own research and decided that I would have waited anyway. She has had her first season and is now at the point in her cycle that she can be speyed (3 months after a season) however I am going to wait until after her second because she already has joint issues and I want her to be as physically mature as possible before I Spey her.
Re: Best age to have her spayed? With regards to the rabies jab... Aren't you in the Uk? I'm guessing you're planning on travelling with her. I think the rabies jabs can be given from 4 months of age, but your vet should know for sure.
Re: Best age to have her spayed? There are also behavioural benefits. I've definitely found dogs altered before they were mature have stayed very puppylike; which sounds good (owning the eternal puppy) but when you're stuck with a full grown dog who can still only concentrate for a few seconds, it gets a little wearing .
