Wish I could wait longer but...

[Hanne]

After her first heat I could still wait a few months to spay, right? Because she wouldn't have another one for 6 months?

It is said that between first and second heat would be a really good time
as the females hormones are in balance

 

[ghggp]

It is said that between first and second heat would be a really good time
as the females hormones are in balance

Actually, when I had my first sheltie a female the breeder said the same thing to me!

 

[MidWestJen]

Thanks all! I think I'm going to try letting her have one heat. I think it's doable and like you said, the pain for a bit is worth the health benefits life long.

 

[corbinam]

I'm definitely thinking about it. I beed to know how long heat lasts and then how soon after to do it. After her first heat I could still wait a few months to spay, right? Because she wouldn't have another one for 6 months?

To answer a few of your questions, a bitch’s heat usually lasts between 21 and 28 days depending. Typically they are fertile around day 10 or so, but it does vary some.

Take some time to check your girl’s vulva now when it’s “normal”. Sounds weird, but if you know what it looks like it will be very obvious when it begins to swell. If you know the breeders of your girl, it is helpful to ask them when their girls tend to come in. I started checking my girl around six months. Just flipping her over randomly to check.

Some girls are cleaner than others and you don’t often notice the bleeding, but some aren’t and you will see spots in her fur or on the floor.

There are also changes in the blood or discharge as the girl goes through her cycle. You can look it up online and it can give you a description. Sometimes the blood is brighter and sometimes it is pinker. That will tell you about when she is fertile and really make sure your dogs are not together.

 

[Watson's Mom]

I actually just had Roxy done at 6.5 months. A number of factors came into play for us. After discussing with our vet and her breeder, at the end for us earlier was better.

We travel. A lot. And a good bit of that is camping. I didn’t want to have to worry about keeping her incision clean and cared for while we were on a camping trip. Then what happens if it got infected or there was some other complication and we would be far from our clinic.

The second thing for us was training and boarding. The dogs don’t get boarded very frequently but when they need to be it’s because work has popped up something with short notice and our only trustworthy boarding place has them in day care during the day so having an intact dog would complicate that. Our trainer already has a long wait list and only accepts one intact dog into her classes at a time.

I definitely waffled but, at the end of the day, earlier was better for us. I did come here and read some posts from others who had them done at 6 months as well and all was well. I read one post that their female was done later and ended up with fear issues.

I think everyone’s situation is different and you need to do what is best for yours.

 

[MidWestJen]

I actually just had Roxy done at 6.5 months. A number of factors came into play for us. After discussing with our vet and her breeder, at the end for us earlier was better.

Thanks for your input! I'll definitely consider it. I sometimes do feel like I put my dog's and cat's needs far over my own sanity. I don't think that's always healthy either. Perhaps I'll let my mind rest until mid April and then reevaluate.

We travel. A lot. And a good bit of that is camping. I didn’t want to have to worry about keeping her incision clean and cared for while we were on a camping trip. Then what happens if it got infected or there was some other complication and we would be far from our clinic.

The second thing for us was training and boarding. The dogs don’t get boarded very frequently but when they need to be it’s because work has popped up something with short notice and our only trustworthy boarding place has them in day care during the day so having an intact dog would complicate that. Our trainer already has a long wait list and only accepts one intact dog into her classes at a time.

I definitely waffled but, at the end of the day, earlier was better for us. I did come here and read some posts from others who had them done at 6 months as well and all was well. I read one post that their female was done later and ended up with fear issues.

I think everyone’s situation is different and you need to do what is best for yours.

 

[DianeP]

I'm definitely thinking about it. I beed to know how long heat lasts and then how soon after to do it. After her first heat I could still wait a few months to spay, right? Because she wouldn't have another one for 6 months?

Mindy went into heat at 6 months. It lasted 4-6 weeks. I think our vet wanted us to wait something like 9 weeks after it was all over before spaying her. Vet said they like to wait so that all of the inflammation is down. That way there is less bleeding.

 

[Watson's Mom]

Whenever you decide to have her done if she’s super high energy and drive, and they give you a sedative for her, make sure to give it as long as they say. Roxy ended up with a suture reaction to her internal sutures because I couldn’t keep her calm without it. Doh!