I would really like to get my puppy spayed as soon as possible because the majority of our neighbors have large male dogs. How old does she have to be to get her spayed? We have a well known Animal Birth Control Clinic where I live that spays and neuters animals for a decent price. They charge $35.00 and if the dog is in heat at the time it's an additional $10.00. I don't know what age dogs typically go into heat the first time or how old they HAVE to be to do it. Any advice?

Your dog is in little danger. The current trend is moving toward 4 months from the traditional 6 months. Your best advice on when would come from the clinic that is going to do it. They have their procedures, and won't care what some ''expert'' on the net said. I wish I read more posts from responsible people aware that their female will be coming into heat and that they need to have them spayed before that start. Most females come in heat sometime their first year, usually not before 7 months. Whoever is behind you local clinic is doing the dog world a great service. Thumbs up to both you and them.

The last 2 puppies I had before Holly didn't come in heat before they left for dog guide school. I had Holly done at 5 months after all her social activities in December. She is in a different program that has most of their puppies spay/neutered at 4-6 months. The dog guide school eventually does all their puppies except the few they keep as breeding stock or trade off to other schools.

It upsets how many questions I see, mostly on another site from people clueless about their female coming into heat, and started already, perhaps accidentally bred which can cause the injuries you were rightly concerned about as well as infections and at best produce an unwanted litter of low quality puppies. Don't get me started on the ones that want to know how soon the dog will come into heat so they can breed it. There is no way they can do responsible breeding without much more research.

Luv, I agree with labman. Every vet is different. Some now do the spay at 4 months, some stick to the 6 month rule. Mine was done when she was around 5 months and she was fine. But, call the clinic and see what they advise. If, for some reason, your dog is in heat at the time the spay is scheduled, I would highly recommend to wait until her heat cycle is over completely before going through with the surgery. The blood vessels expand during a heat, and this can lead to complications during surgery. Unless a vet feels that it is absolutely necessary to perform the surgery while a female is in heat, they usually wait until the cycle is over.

Thanks for the advice. I asked the Vet when I was there today and he said the Animal Birth Control clinic will do it at 5 months. And Labman, you're right. This organization does a lot for the pet community. They also give discounted shots every 1st Sunday of the month... too bad our animal shelters around here aren't as great as they are. :(

I am pretty sure that most people require that cats and dogs have all of there shots before they will spay, neuter or even see the dog so have you had the shots yet? I had my cat spayed at a clinic here in Atlanta for cheap and they go by the income that you make. The average price for dogs if you can get it done cheap is free- $15-$50 around this price. There is a big website that I will try to find for you that has a list from which state you live in and it will give you a huge list of all the clinics, animal shelters, etc for where you can have it done to save you money and find the best pricesin your city or in your surrounding area!

I think every responcible pet owenr knows desexing is a very healthy medical procedure. Weight of the dog has a lot to do with the complications of the surgery as well as swelling an blood flow referred to the female in heat. I know I like to have owners complete this part of there dogs first year of health needs in the early stages. Time, costs and schedualing often lead to when the time is actually right for the pet/owner. Larger breed dogs can be done as early as 3.5 months. All of these factors are a direct result of how comfortable the Vet is with his skill and staff as to "when". Being a vet who loves surgery and overly devoted to ER medicine, I like to see the regular treating vet to preform the surgery for a few reasons. One he will know how the dog handeled the anesthesia, become aware of visual inner birth defects, (if any at all) and finally develop a reputation to be more trusted by the new pet owner of his ability to promote health care.Many vets will, although not advertise payment plans.It is very common for owners to ask to make partial payments for schedualed surgeries such as this. This over time leads to better owner/vet relationships. Who knows maybe in 5 years you will have tricked him into his personal # and get to report my dog just ate <blank> what do I do, while he is at home. Lol, just because we are the Vet doesn't mean we do it for the money we really do develop a relationship with the pet an owner that over time that seems to take part in even our own personal time. :) Good luck with your new family, I am sure she will bring many enjoyable moments.

DocWill