Spaying

[fauxpa]

I find it frustrating to deal with conflicting opinions from my vet and the breeder of my dogs regarding various health issues, even though I realize they are coming at their respective opinions from different directions. Currently, it is about when to spay. My vet says she can be spayed after 4 months, and prefers before the first heat. The breeder says wait until she's at least 8 months. Any opinions, and why?

[Blaze]

If you aren't planning on breeding your dog then I would reccomend you get her spayed sooner rather than later.
The only reason I haven't spayed my dog yet is because I am breeding her. However I don't want her to have puppies non-stop and she will get spayed probably after this litter if I decide not to let her have anymore pups.
Some studies have shown that dogs spayed before puberty may have a lower chance of developing breast cancer than unspayed dogs or dogs spayed later in life. On the otherhand I have read that spaying will give you a healthier pet - I do not believe this is always true. In some cases it may be but I know many breeding dogs who have lived to 16-17 years without any health problems at all. And as long as you breed for the right reasons and are responsible I think it's great.
I think ultimately you have to decide what is best for you and your dog. If you aren't going to breed I would suggest you get her spayed before her first heat though.
Do you know why the breeder of your dog wants her to be spayed after 8 months?

[eXile]

Faux, i know exactly what you mean. I no longer am in contact with my breeder. As a matter of fact, Ive only talked to him once and that was the first day we got home with him. Your going to have to some ones word that you trust and stick to it. My vet didnt want me to castrate (neuter) Oscar untill he was atleast 11 months. There was some big explanation to it too. Every vet has different opinions and like i said...find one you are comfortable, gives reasonable explanations on why he doing things, and ofcourse, someone you get an overal positive vibe from.

Do you have a contract with your breeder stating you cant spay her for breeding purposes?

[weezyNollie]

We learned in school that you can neuter/spay as early as 4 mos (some even earlier) but the suggested time is around 6 mos. There are some myths about if the dog experiences her first heat cycle she's sweeter (or something weird like that).. but really I think 6 mos is just about right. He is probably saying 4 mos because he doesn't want to run into the heat cycle. Basically if a dog is in heat during surgery, they bleed a lot and their recovery is a bit more. I would go with what your vet is saying not your breeder. People think breeders know everything.. but let's compare education here. DVM = bachelors (4 yrs of college), med school (2-3 yrs), and then residency/intern (1-2 yrs), and then experience/practice (1-?? yrs). As opposed to the breeder who has had what formal education?? Each vet differs not necessarily based on their education, but their experience. I'm sure eXile's vet has some reason for wanting to wait 11 months.. but the large population of veterinary world like 6 mos.

[Moo]

Most vets say 6 months. Alot of it has to do with behavior, curbing aggressions, etc... And preventing cancer.

Not that I wouldn't have done it anyways, but the contract from my breeder was quite strict, that Kirb had to be done by (I believe 7 ? ) months.

[fauxpa]

Thank you, all for excellent responses to my spay question. We have a wonderful vet, to whom I would listen over, and above anyone. I do respect the breeder, however who has 20+ years breeding. There is something to be said for that, of course. I'm not sure I'd ever go on the opinion of a breeder over a vet, however, unless it would be something breed-specific that the vet was unfamiliar with. Great thread.