speying

[Mike A]

I have lost two bitches to pyometra over the years , both of which were very elderly , but this could have been avoided if they were spayed .
If I ever had a bitch again I would spay in midlle age .

[James]

We do so once the bitchs are no longer going to have pups. Removes the main risks all be not all risks and for the min reason so that they go on to work a full shooting season without the risk of coming in season. That's why I like dogs as a rule as this isn't a problem, I never understand why so many working homes go for bitchs if they don't wish to breed

[Stacia]

Best to spay a bitch before middle age (if you are going to spay) much less fat around the abdominal area and thus easier to spay. Cheaper as well!

Also the earlier the bitch is spayed (and I am NOT advocating four months like in America!!!) the less risk of mammary cancer.

[RAH]

What's classed as "middle age" out of interest?

[ips]

ips,

I've got to ask, you say you've asked your vet, googled and asked on here and yet you still remain confused. What will actually help you become less confuddled?

Rascal

Good question. I don't honestly dont know. I understand the reduction of certain health issues such as ovarian cancer etc but as this is not a categorical thing its hard for me to justify on that one. I see no other reason to do it as she is no problem when in season, she is a clean dog and we have pretty' secure land for her to exercise in, if she is in season in winter we only miss a couple of game days so no big deal. I here of weight gain and coat being effected and also read of possible incontinence so seems to me that there are more reasons not too than to do.
I suppose someone would need to convince me that statistically the health benefits long term are huge and that the possibility of incontinence etc is very minimal and that it would calm her down and stop her occasional humping episodes.
Unless the above is convincing I am still in the no camp.

[pontbeck]

In the seventies and eighties I bred two litters each year and I wouldn't dream of selling a bitch pup to anyone who wanted to spay. Forty years on there is incontrovertible evidence that spaying a bitch will have great health benefits and I have changed my mind completely .

[ips]

In the seventies and eighties I bred two litters each year and I wouldn't dream of selling a bitch pup to anyone who wanted to spay. Forty years on there is incontrovertible evidence that spaying a bitch will have great health benefits and I have changed my mind completely .

Um, the plot thickens

[pontbeck]

No plot, just a good deal of advice from those with experience. Advice is offered freely , that doesn't mean it has to be accepted.

[ips]

No plot, just a good deal of advice from those with experience. Advice is offered freely , that doesn't mean it has to be accepted.

I appreciate all the advice and experience shared.
I really am totaly unconvinced which way to go at present.

[Rascal]

FWIW we've had fifteen dogs over the years, fourteen of those bitches and we don't spay as a matter of routine...

3 have suffered open (thankfully as they are easier to detect) Pyometra 2 of these bitches were spayed...One wasn't because she developed it at nearly sixteen years of age...So I guess sumfin was gonna finish her off..

In the spayed bitches, their coats went silly and they both developed pee incontinence and had to go on a lower calorie grub because despite a lot of exercise and a reduction in food to such an extent that I felt guilty at the small amount of food in their bowls they still put weight on...

Only one of the un spayed bitches developed mammary cancer at nearly fourteen years of age and lived to fourteen and a half..

Not a huge representation but I remain not in favour of spaying as a matter of course...

For it to be effective against mammary cancer it needs to be done ideally before the pup has it's first season or at least in the first year and that can't be right surely.

My dogs usually come into season in the first week or so of the shooting season so we often go on holiday..

Rascal