spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

Re: spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

Claire Godfrey — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:07:24 GMT

Thanks very much for the response was just quite shocked at the time!

Re: spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

Ella Massy-Greene — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:35:12 GMT

Yes, the charities are very keen on it. I know that some years ago the Dog's Trust (I think it was) was looking to recruit an epidemiologist to look into the effects of spaying at a very early age.

Bitches tend to have a higher incidence of urinary incontinance if spayed before 12w (I think, maybe earlier).

It is obviously beneficial in communities where overpopulation is a huge issue (not so much in the UK) and also for breeders who want to sell on non breeding pets.

I am thinking of changing my recommendations from 6 months to 4-5 months. It is a lot easier when everything is a lot smaller, less chance of bleeding complications, less mammary cancer in the girls, and no chance of a bitch or queen being presented in heat (although the odd JRT has turned up on heat at 5 months old). I have also heard anecdotal reports that there tends to be less of a problem with obesity later on when they are spayed young.

It sure beats spaying a fat 2 year old labrador!

Ella.

Re: spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

Ian Mostyn — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:32:27 GMT

I believe the RSPCA will spay at that kind of age on a routine basis. I will routinely spay pre-season but I am not brave enough to go down to weeks rather than months.

Ian

Re: spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

beldather — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:30:09 GMT

Relatively common in the US, gradually gaining popularity in Oz as well. Those who do it swear by it. I curse spaying anything smaller then a terrier, so not much chance I'll end up doing it, but definitely is pushed as a solution to overpopulation problems in some places.

Regards

Blair

Re: spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

Jill Steed — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:01:45 GMT

Yes, last year we had a puppy presented for its second vaccine and were told by the new owner that it had been castrated at 6 weeks , including an abdominal incision as it was cryptorchid. We were initially sceptical, but it had the scars to prove it. When the vet whose name was on the breeder's vaccination certificate was contacted they told our recptionist that they offered neutering for both sexes at this age. Can't remember where it was from unfortunately!

Re: spaying Puppies at 7 weeks?

Stephen Ashman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:05:12 GMT

[quote user="claire godfrey"]

Has anyone else any experience of this?

[/quote]

No! Are they trying to keep their breed line exclusively their own??!