Desexing A Female Dog

[Inka3095]

Thanks so much for the input everyone

She is 100% safe from other dogs when unsupervised as I have her inside during the day when I'm not home, in an exercise pen. We don't actually visit dog parks yet so there won't be any issues there either. My concerns are just about when is the best age to do this procedure for my dog. She's 6 months now, and I haven't been aware of any seasons as yet (although my vet friend said sometimes they can be missed on their first cycle if there's really minimal bleeding etc, and I'm not a breeder so have no idea what else to look for). So I'm just trying to decide if I get her into the vet asap or if I wait through a season then do it in about 3-6 months time.

:)

Sorry to those who think I'm a bit silly for getting to this point without having made my own opinions, but I have been doing a lot of reading around the topic as the time to desex her gets closer. Guess it's one of those things where the more you know, the more you realise you don't know. I love this dog a lot, and really want to do the best thing by her.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Inka3095

[luvsdogs]

I had my Border Collie done at 14 m/o after having her 1st season at 10 m/o. I had talked about it to the vet when I 1st got her of my decision & she agreed with me.

The risk of mammary cancer is very low with only 1 season. I had asked the vet that did the spay to use the single hidden stitch because a previous bitch had it in 2001 & never touched the wound. Not so the Border, it looked rather tight & swollen & she had to wear an Elizabethan collar until the stitch was removed.

My youngest male dog had to be done early because of retained testicles & I had him done at 8 months, when he started to mark inside.

[dotdashdot]

I had my girl desexed after one season. She was being shown, but due to some circumstances at the time, I didn't want to risk pregnancy and I was far too busy to give her the attention she needed in those 3 weeks like I had for her first season (wedding).

As it turns out, she was desexed probably right before her 2nd season (vet's opinion, as she had vaginal bleeding the day after) but her attitude is the same, her energy is the same and she evens eats the same with no extra weight (yet!!)

She also had no problems with the surgery or scar itself, all has healed well - this is 7 months later - and she is very much the same crazy dog I had before.