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easyedwin

Birmingham, AL

MH
Posts:128

08/09/2010 12:37 PM
Help. My 10 mo. old GSP has not gone into season yet, and I sorta wanted her to get through one before spaying. Anyway, my vet says that is "old school" and I should get her in NOW for spaying. What's the deal?

Why do real estate developers ruin so many landscapes?

snips

n.ga.

MH
Posts:412

08/09/2010 12:53 PM
The deal is vets are programmed to push you into early spaying...Wait as long as you want!!!!

brenda

jlp8cornell User is Offline

Ithaca NY

MH
Posts:461

08/09/2010 1:26 PM
It may be a while before she has her first heat cycle. Some bitches, especially thin/fit ones, are 12-16m or more before they do. My boy's littermate here was 14m. Just letting you know so you don't worry

Jen http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2440

JoeyBean

Albany, NY

MH
Posts:280

08/09/2010 1:26 PM
If you plan on spaying, whats the advantage of waiting for them to go into heat before you spay? I've heard people say that before but it doesn't seem to make sense

therozypozy User is Offline

MH
Posts:333

08/09/2010 2:14 PM
There is some evidence that dogs will continue to grow taller and have thinner bone structure if they are spayed/neutered before they hit puberty. I know those of us who do performance events such as agility and flyball, we generally do not spay or neuter until they are almost 2 years old.

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:6748

08/09/2010 2:56 PM
Relax, she could come in season anytime or she may be a late bloomer like my girl, Halo. Halo did not come into season the first time until she was 22 months old. I have spayed my dogs at different ages and for a shorthair I would strongly recommend waiting until they mature which for a female is after one or two heat cycles. As Roz said they tend to grow taller and leggier when spayed before adulthood. The problem with that legginess and height can manifest itself in joint and muscular injuries IMHO. My girl, Belle, was spayed at 6 months at the vets recommendation and if I could do it over, I would wait. Belle has nothing really wrong because of the early spay, but she grew to be 25 inches (and is leggier than most shorthairs) which is tall for a female. She also has a tendency to muscle injury which again may or may not be related to the early spay. Although she is not incontinent and can hold her pee, she sometimes leaks a little especially after peeing which is also sometimes associated with early spaying (and sometimes spaying in general can cause incontinence issues). I have had a variety of breeds, all females until I got my boy, Ringo, and have spayed at a variety of ages. But my anecdotal evidence (meaning dogs I have had only) shows that my girls that I waited to spay until they were older all lived much longer and healthier lives than the ones that were spayed early. Granted this is not a scientific study, but it was good enough to convince me that it is better to wait. In the end what's the hurry unless you have an intact male in the family or you just don't want to deal with the 3 weeks of the heat cycle. Also, note that bitches cycles vary in length, meaning some come in every 6 months which is the average and some are shorter (4 months) and some longer (9 months or sometimes more). Also, just like humans their cycles may be 6 months one time and 9 months the next, and if you have several females living together they tend sync up and come in at about the same time. Mother Nature works in mysterious ways. It is really your call, but IMHO I would wait. Besides you have already waited this long. What's a little while longer?

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

stlbirddogs User is Offline

Near St. Louis, Missouri

MH
Posts:136

08/09/2010 3:47 PM
I prefer to wait until they are at least 18 months and after their first season. I also wait a bit after a season when their hormones are a little more in balance. Was told that by someone, don't remember who, and I don't know if there is anything to that thought.

Breeze - GSP Dusty - Vizsla The Brat Pack: Heidi, Hershey,Tank, Spot & Zero

easyedwin

Birmingham, AL

MH
Posts:128

08/09/2010 6:33 PM
Thanks to all of you. We will wait!

Why do real estate developers ruin so many landscapes?

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