Re: Time to Spay/Neuter

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

At 10:38 AM 9/26/00 -0700, you wrote:
>So, its getting close to the time (6 months old) when the Vet says we
>should spay Miss Maple. We figured to do that in mid October, giving enough
>time for recovery before the Dopey Duo spends a week at Gina's while we go
>to my mother's 70th birthday party in Florida.

HI All,

There is just a little bit more to it than the 6 month mark, more so for 
the girls.  Girls first:  Before you make the decision as to today is spay 
day you should consult with your vet, have your puppy examined for maturity 
of her vulva and vaginitis. Bitch puppies who have had vaginitis or have an 
immature vulva some times referred to as a high vulva should be allowed to 
heat cycle once as a precautionary measure. Mother nature seams to know 
best with dealing with some issues.  Bitch puppies that are spayed prior to 
the onset of their first heat who have had an issue with vaginitis or again 
the immature vulva can run a much greater risk of continual problems down 
the road with UI infections and or continual vaginitis.  Both of these 
conditions are painful for the dog as costly to the owner. I don't know why 
this is so and I will ask "Auntie Ellen" to comment form a more clinical 
point of view and report back to you.

Many vet's will still give you the option of making the call.  They will 
say it's not proven that spaying has any affect or not on the UI track and 
it's over all health.  It's my opinion however, I have seen in my grooming 
practice and in my breeding career bitch puppies that have been spayed 
prematurely that have suffered.  I don't know what the odds are but I feel 
a responsibility to advise you.  I would check this out before setting the 
date.   Please know that while 6 months is when a bitch puppy could 
conceivably come into season it not that common.  These things also tend to 
run in families as to timing.  Our girls historically don't come in to 
their first season until after 9 months.  Between 9 to 12 months seams to 
be average for us.  Kaycee was 11 mos.  Sprite same, Scarlette, 10 
mos.  Just please consult with your vet and if you are the slightest bit 
weary wait it out.  You can always run things by me maybe even the bitch in 
heat if necessary.

On the boys:  Monza:  tomorrow! <smile>  Actually this really pertains to 
both sexes:  but seams we apply it to the boys more so than the girls as 
the boys are going to be "manly" dog men...  I usually advise 8 months to a 
year giving the growth plates a chance to close, it's a testosterone 
thing.  This will aid in the appearance of your boy.  It's an argued thing 
once again if neutering young creates a leggy dog.  I have no stand either 
way.  But can tell you SeaJay is the best looking boy of the bunch in his 
litter and certainly a manly dog man in my not so humble opinion.  :-)

On all ends of this remember being responsible for you're dog is YOUR job. 
Girls first again:  This means if you choose to keep your little girl 
intact and allow her to heat cycle once you will need to provide for 
her  absolute security when she is in her heat cycle.  Delicate as she may 
seam right now let me tell you Hussy Buns can find a way out of any yard if 
she so desires, or she can help that guy down the block in.  Be prepared 
set a plan well in advance how your going to handle walking her and 
confining her.  Now is the time to start training her to go potty on leash 
(for those wishing to compete in obedience I suggest the use of a Flexi 
lead not your 6 foot training lead.  The 6 foot leash means no pee males on 
this one too).  Plan for your little girl to probably spend more time in 
her crate the first week of her heat cycle as she will be bleeding or 
figure out a place in your house that makes for easy clean up or buy 
"Bitchy Britches"  (Auntie Deb Mc Fail has been known to make them to 
order?).  Plan to confine your Hussy Butt for 28 days.

Boys:  Now do I have to tell you guys that allowing your male dog to run at 
large is the surest way to end up on the wrong end of a paternity suit?  I 
didn't think so...  BTW these boys are now capable of producing sperm.

So while I refrain from making  decisions for each of you I offer all of 
the above for food for thought.  Each of you are reasonable responsible 
people or you wouldn't be part of this pack! :-)

Gina