GSDlover

I've heard that the dandruff thing is normal. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cl...p;articleid=873 My puppy had it, but it wasn't what i'd call "really bad". She also used to scratch a lot around that age.

Can i ask what age she was spayed?

Hi morgan, thanks for all the detailed information. Do you consider a hysterectomy a better alternative to a ovariohysterectomy at any early age? Do the same benefits apply at any early age?

morgan - you said that "some people recommend desexing large breeds after the first heat to make sure the bitch is physically mature, but before the second so that the risk of mammary cancer isn't too much higher." Would you agree with them? Also, do you know why they have increased aggression?

That sums my dilemma up pretty well.

Hello, I do believe that desexing is best for both of us but i want to make sure i do it at a time which will minimise any affect on her long-term health and growth. I don't know if these things are matually exclusive though... Why do you think it is best to spay when she is physically mature? Thank you for the article. It does say, though, that "spaying bitches after 6 months but before their first heat cycle is most beneficial." My concern is with the CCL rupture and interfering with the correct intended height of the animal as I have a very active gundog breed and would hate to feel responsible for her having an injury that might have been prevented. If you have any plans to undertake any dog sports at all this is something you should consider carefully. In your case if you want to go with the advice from your article the first thing I would do is to check with her breeder when is the most likely age for her first season and then perhaps look at having it done about 4 weeks before then. Most medium to large breeds (not giant)will have reached their full height by around 10 - 11 months though they will still not have a mature body this comes later. That is my concern. I want her to be her natural, intended height but i don't want to have an increased risk of cancer. Your advice to spay as late as possible seems sensible to me, but figuring out when her first heat cycle may be is a difficult task. I will consult my breeder.

Hello, I do believe that desexing is best for both of us but i want to make sure i do it at a time which will minimise any affect on her long-term health and growth. I don't know if these things are matually exclusive though... Why do you think it is best to spay when she is physically mature? Thank you for the article. It does say, though, that "spaying bitches after 6 months but before their first heat cycle is most beneficial."

When should i spay my GSD puppy? She is appointed to be spayed at 6 months old but is this too early for a large breed like German Shepherds? I have heard that spaying before the first heat cycle will decrease the chance of several diseases but may cause other problems such as increased hair growth, abnormal joint growth (too tall or too short), other diseases, etc. There is so much conflicting information out there it's not funny. What are people's experiences? Thanks :rolleyes: