Question for DMV Doug on spayed
I have a 3 month old female Collie pup (Sasha). I have heard that waiting a little longer then 6 months is better for development and others said to do it at 6 months to help prevent health issues. ...
Forum Discussion
Mark points out the data that supports spaying before the first heat cycle. By far the most common tumors seen in intact female dogs are mammary tumors.
The current reasoning to delay spaying have to do with statistics that show an association with development issues (hip dysplasia) and the potential of increase incidence in other types of tumors (hemangiosarcoma, mast cell). While the association is statistically real, the causation is still not understood. There also may be an association with urinary incontinence later in life, cause not understood.
Even if early spaying (before the first heat) causes these things, the potential of life threatening breast tumors is real and so much more of a threat I still spay mine before their first heat.
Some rescue and humane groups spay at much younger age (like 2-3 months) and I don't like that. The stress of surgery and the difficulty of managing anesthesia at that age is a risk I don't like. Their reasoning is that they get 100% compliance if the spay is done before adoption rather than waiting and hoping the new owners with actually get the dog spayed later.
Doug
The current reasoning to delay spaying have to do with statistics that show an association with development issues (hip dysplasia) and the potential of increase incidence in other types of tumors (hemangiosarcoma, mast cell). While the association is statistically real, the causation is still not understood. There also may be an association with urinary incontinence later in life, cause not understood.
Even if early spaying (before the first heat) causes these things, the potential of life threatening breast tumors is real and so much more of a threat I still spay mine before their first heat.
Some rescue and humane groups spay at much younger age (like 2-3 months) and I don't like that. The stress of surgery and the difficulty of managing anesthesia at that age is a risk I don't like. Their reasoning is that they get 100% compliance if the spay is done before adoption rather than waiting and hoping the new owners with actually get the dog spayed later.
Doug
