When is it best to get your female dog fixed, after or before the first heat season? ?

Question

I have been to one vet and they said we should get her fixed before the first heat or she will have more risk of cancer and the other vet said it is better after because she has less risk of cancer?

Answer 1

My vet said at 5 months. That would be before the first heat. I figured that i would tell you what my vet said then you can see what more of them have to say. So that is 2 vets that say before.

Answer 2

I have always had my girls spayed before their first heat because I have always read that getting it done then reduced the risk of cancer the most, and my vets have always encouraged it as well. However, I have also heard it the other way around! It really depends on who you talk to, but I have always and will always have it done before the first heat, at least until solid proof becomes available that having it done after the first heat is better.

Answer 3

Before! Then there is no risk of pups.  

Answer 4

Our vets always advocate neutering at six months and state all of the usual health related issues for it. I personally prefer to wait until my dogs are fully mature both physically and mentally before neutering and when pressed the vet did say that research did show that risk of mammary cancer was no more by spaying after the first season than by spaying before, however to spay after a second season the risk became more.

One interesting point which also came up in this discussion was the risk of spay induced incontinence which would seem to be more likely the younger the ***** when spayed plus there seems to be some research suggesting that spayed bit ches are more likely to be aggressive than entact bit ches as we remove the calming hormone estrogen.

This is a highly emotive subject and ultimately the risk of unwanted pregnancy is what you are wanting to avoid so for me I wait until after the first heat but can ensure my bit ches don't get cautht and if you can't do this for me you should neuter before.

Answer 5

You should get your dog fixed as soon as you know that you are not going to breed her.  The more times she goes into heat the more her chances of cancer increase.

Answer 6

definitely do it before she comes into heat the first time.

Answer 7

I have always had mine spayed before their first heat at the age of 6 months.  Just having her spayed alone will reduce her risk of cancer greatly.

Answer 8

Before. After each heat cycle the chance of cancer increases.