What age should I get my girl spayed?

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Frankie is nearly 6 months of age and I am wondering what is the most desirous age to have her spayed. Should I allow her to have her first season, or should I just go ahead and get it done before. I am so confused as to what I should do as everyone seems to have good solid advice based on their own experiences so I am throwing it out to my "doodle-loving buddies"

[Adina P]

Get 'er done soon! =)
There is really NO reason to wait any longer or allow her to have a first heat, more trouble than it's worth and you risk her getting pregnant in that instant when the right, agile, skilled, lusting male comes by unexpectedly=)

A lot of breeders are doing 'early spay/neuters' around 7 weeks of age. And while there is still some debate over that (you can do a search in the search box of the main forum for "ESN" or "early spay" or "spaying", etc...to find some past discussions on the topic)...there really isn't much good evidence to wait for a first heat or puberty for males or females.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Adina. I will book her in for this week. So not looking foward to putting her through all this, but you are so right and dealing with the "hounds that may come-a-calling" during her first heat would be horrible. Love this site with all my heart..many thanks for putting it all together :)

[Caroline]

Hi Frances, I agree with Adina - IMO better to get it done sooner rather than later. There are also health benefits. Bitches who are spayed before their first heat are less likely to develop mammary/ breast tumours.
I got Christy done around this age - she was "under the weather" for about 6 days afterward (and I posted here asking other doodlers about their experiences), but I know some get over it a lot quicker, especially with laser surgery. We just had plain old scalpel surgery though. Good luck with spay .

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Caroline. I am not looking forward to putting her through his at all. But I am a huge advocate of spaying and neutering...just not looking forward to the process. She is currently in an 8 week basic training class so I am thinking that I may have to delay it by two weeks...I hope that she does not get her first season as she is awfully big, but will book the appointment for two weeks from now. Fingers crossed and thanks for the advice. Love this site...:)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Absolutely. Right now. It greatly decreases her chances of mammary cancer later in life. Also the younger she is the more quickly she will recover. A few days and it will all be behind her.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Oh my gosh...Your site is adorable. I cannot seem to get the music onto mine although I have tried a few times to download it. Anyway, I definitely will get the girl spayed within the next few weeks although I am totally dreading it and the recovery time too. I am hoping she bounces back like the majority of pups and does not go through the few I have been reading about. I am jealous that you have twice the lovers in your home...so very cute. Thanks for the help. Love this site.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I agree whole heartedly with Adina. Timbow is a boy, but we had him spayed at 8 weeks and I couldn't be happier with that decision. I would not wait. Make an appointment! :)

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

You are so lucky that your boy was already neutered...I just hate putting my girl through this but I know it is for the best. Many thanks for your reply.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My opinion is ASAP.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Nancy...I will definitely get it done within the next two weeks. She is currently in her basic training class and I so want to her graduate. I will pray that her season does not come. What a great site this is...