Spaying (again, I'm sorry)

[simplesimon]

Hi all,
Sorry to bring up a topic that must be covered many times before, it's just sometimes easier to ask directly than to search and find answers to questions that aren't quite the same.
Anyway
My bitch is a little over 3 years old and has obviously had a few seasons now. Like many, I'm debating whether or not to have her spayed.
The issues I'd really like to hear your experience on are incontinence and behavioural/"personality" changes. I've also heard it can cause weight gain (Although the obvious solution is to fees less!) does it also cause a change in overall condition?
I'm also curious to know what the recovery time is post-op. She's a very active dog as you might expect and won't take too happily to being denied a good run around or playing with my other dog for very long.
Any input would be appreciated!

[trekmoor]

I've had a few of my bitches spayed and at various ages too. It made not a jot of difference to any of them except to the lab I had spayed. She became more inclined to get fat but more sensible feeding soon took care of that.
Those spayed bitches were invaluable to me during the shooting season as I could always work them.

Wullie

[Judy]

Some become incontinent, some coats go terrible and have to be regularly stripped / clipped, all need at least 20% less food after neutering if you don't want an overweight dog.

[Cass]

I've owned a few females and all have been spayed at some point. Behavior never changed in any of them and never had an incontinence issue.

[Stacia]

I have had five bitches spayed, two tended to be a little incontinent in later life when they would have been in season, but medication from the vet at that small time, solved the problem, No change in behaviour, coats didn't change (I had one ColliexSpringer and 4 German Shorthaired Pointers). You are in charge of the weight gain, just give a little less food if they start to look a little plump. Mine recovered by the next day, but you need to keep them on the lead for a week or so. Do not let your other dog play with her until stitches out. A vet I used to walk with, let her dog off the lead on day 3! I don't recommend that for a lay person!

[Jangles]

I had this on my computer - apparently written by a Gundog Vet...

Spaying before the second season vastly reduces the risk of mammary cancer.
Spaying at any age removes the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers (rare) and pyometra (up to 25% of bitches over 6 will get this) and obviously pregnancy.
Spaying increases the risk of urinary incontinence, especially in large and short docked breeds (so less relevant now), but 10-20% of bitches become leaky with age anyway. A small dose of oestrogen daily fixes most leaks. The skill of the vet is the biggest factor and early neutering may have a lower risk (surprisingly!) as the surgery is easier.
Spaying prior to growth plate closure (10-18months depending on breed) can lead to altered bone length ratios though a direct causation of joint injury has yet to be made (there is a correlation, but other factors such as obesity could be involved).
Spaying will prevent seasons, but some bitches still have cyclical odd behaviour! Urine marking can decrease, humping may decrease, but not if it has become a self rewarding behaviour. If it is seasonal humping it is more likely to respond than if it's all the time. Very rarely a female can become aggressive after spaying, especially if all her littermates were male. This can be fixed with a small weekly oestrogen tablet.

It's recommended spaying after the first season for medium- large working dogs which aren't going to breed, and after the end of breeding for all other dogs. Especially after a string of pyometras at work in dogs aged 5-6! I see no reason a bitch over 8 should have a womb!!!


Jangles

[vicky payne]

I had this on my computer - apparently written by a Gundog Vet...

Spaying before the second season vastly reduces the risk of mammary cancer.
Spaying at any age removes the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers (rare) and pyometra (up to 25% of bitches over 6 will get this) and obviously pregnancy.
Spaying increases the risk of urinary incontinence, especially in large and short docked breeds (so less relevant now), but 10-20% of bitches become leaky with age anyway. A small dose of oestrogen daily fixes most leaks. The skill of the vet is the biggest factor and early neutering may have a lower risk (surprisingly!) as the surgery is easier.
Spaying prior to growth plate closure (10-18months depending on breed) can lead to altered bone length ratios though a direct causation of joint injury has yet to be made (there is a correlation, but other factors such as obesity could be involved).
Spaying will prevent seasons, but some bitches still have cyclical odd behaviour! Urine marking can decrease, humping may decrease, but not if it has become a self rewarding behaviour. If it is seasonal humping it is more likely to respond than if it's all the time. Very rarely a female can become aggressive after spaying, especially if all her littermates were male. This can be fixed with a small weekly oestrogen tablet.

It's recommended spaying after the first season for medium- large working dogs which aren't going to breed, and after the end of breeding for all other dogs. Especially after a string of pyometras at work in dogs aged 5-6! I see no reason a bitch over 8 should have a womb!!!


Jangles

Written by me. No beard rubbing emoji required!

Spayed one of mine at 2 1/2 in January. She is still slim, muscular, and is much happier since spaying.

[Dawnrazor]

" and is much happier since spaying"
How can you tell?

[Judy]

" and is much happier since spaying"
How can you tell?

Same way as you can tell when your wife is nearing the end of the month?

[vicky payne]

" and is much happier since spaying"
How can you tell?

Same way as you can tell when your wife is nearing the end of the month?

LOL! Less grumpy with the other dogs, more playful with them. And she just seems nicer to have around!