Since, spaying blocks the release of primary sexual hormones, the growth
of spayed dogs may become slower.
While most vets prefer to perform the surgery in dogs not currently in heat, most surgeons will still
spay a dog when in heat.
Similarly, if a dog is only spayed to prevent unwanted litters, such as in a shelter, most have a policy to
spay dogs at age of 8 - 12 weeks.
However, it is very possible to keep neutered and
spayed dogs very fit simply with portion control and a regular exercise program.
The best age to
spay a dog depends upon the indication / reason for which a dog is spayed.
The short answer to this question is that you should not neuter or
spay your dog before he or she is one year old.
In
female spayed dogs, approximately 10 % of dog bladder problems occur within 1 year of being spayed.
The UC Davis study fails to mention or compare the protective effect preventing mammary cancer
by spaying dogs before their first heat.
It is often reported that
after spaying your dog, her metabolism slows, so for adults this may require lower calorie food or a special diet.
Vets are neutering and
spaying dogs as early as 8 weeks now, some as early as 6 weeks.
People who wait to
spay their dogs until after their second heat greatly increase the risk of mammary tumors in their pets.
Spayed dogs no longer go into heat and so do not experience estrus - related behavioral fluctuations.
For example, a more recent study from the University of Georgia shows that neutered and
spayed dogs live 14 % and 23 % longer, respectively, than intact dogs.
«UTIs are also more likely to affect older,
spayed dogs who experience incontinence,» says Dr. Pam Epperson, AAHA member and owner of the Animal Care Center in West Bountiful, Utah.
Since we can prevent Mammary Cancer by early spaying,
consider spaying dogs with a family history of Mammary Cancer prior to their first heat.
Actually, I prefer that over the Proin
because spayed dogs are estrogen deficient anyway, leading to the incontinence, so I do nt feel that low dose estrogen would be that harmful tapered to lowest effective dose.
Senior citizens, age 65 years and older, can purchase a $ 5.00 dog license for neutered /
spayed dogs only.
There is a higher risk if the pet is in heat or pregnant because of the increased blood flow and fluid volume, although many clinics routinely
safely spay dogs and cats when they are in heat or pregnant.
There are many health benefits
from spaying your dog and you will be reducing the amount of unwanted litters as well.
Your veterinarian may not be
comfortable spaying your dog when she is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, so please contact them as soon as possible after the accidental breeding.
You may be wondering if the new safer methods of
spaying dogs really accomplishes all the same benefits as the old way.
Spaying a dog once she is an adult is acceptable as well, although there's a slightly higher risk of postoperative complications in older dogs, as well as in dogs that are overweight or that have existing health problems.
Many shelters insist
on spaying all dogs before placement so spaying may be done as early as six to eight weeks of age.
In fact, there is no such advantage, and waiting to
spay your dog actually puts her at a disadvantage because she is at a much higher risk of developing mammary cancers later in life.
Among the most common problems occurring in the recently -
spayed dog concerns loose sutures or stitches.
Not
spaying your dog brings huge benefits to her overall health but it also comes with the responsibility of being a diligent guardian to your dog.