spaying a bitch

[Sofasogud]

When is the best time to spey a bitch - my friend needs to get her 6 month staffie speyed - her vet wants to do it before she has her first season, but she has heard that it is better to wait until after the 1st season - any thoughts anyone (and reasons for/against) would be useful.

thanks

[Illyria54]

I like to spay my bitches (GSD's) after at least one season so that they are fully mature, but it is perfectly alright to spay at 6 months.

[Noweia]

With regards to spaying to prevent mammary tumours, it is best to spay them before they've had their first season. At the first season and afterwards the risk increases.

[lankeela]

I had a collie cross spayed at 6 months, no problems. Guide Dogs do them early too. Vets would not do it if it was a problem.

[Illyria54]

In regards to mammary tumours, the only bitch I have had that was spayed at 6 months (got her from RSPCA) was the only bitch to actually get mammary cancer.

[Sofasogud]

thanks, I'll pass all your comments on to her.

[ganesh]

just had mine done. My vet said the perfect time was exactly half way between her first season and next.i.e three months after the first. He never mentioned any risks and said he liked them to have one season before doing it,to check their natural growth etc.

[lankeela]

Although immature mentally, the fact that they are having a season means they are able to conceive and whelp a litter, so their 'bits' are fully developed.

[ganesh]

Exactly ,and my bitch didn't have her first season until 14 months so she would have been immature at 6 months. The vet also mentioned the 'growth hormone' which declines sharply after a season (or spaying) so might adversly affect the more 'slow-growing' larger breeds.
IN your case though a staffie is probably more grown up at 6 months.
I would wait even though I thought that my dogs season was a real pain for both of us.

[lankeela]

Another thing to consider is whether she will have contact with any male dogs during her season, as no matter how careful owners are, dogs are very clever at getting to bitches, and the bitches themselves will also try their best to find a mate.
If this is likely to be a problem, them spaying early would be less of a risk than an unwanted pregnancy.