Best time to spay/de-sex a female Tibetan Mastiff

[Maggie'sMum]

Hi everyone

My puppy is 20 weeks so I know I have a bit of time here but I'm very confused as to when the best time is to get Maggie de-sexed.

The breeder suggested tying her tubes- so that her hormones and growth aren't affected but my vet said there are too many risks associated with that method.

I've also been told that 9 months is the best time to spay, then I was told 12 months and now I've been told 6 months!

I'm just so confused. I want Maggie to be well developed before I get her fixed up but I don't want her to come into heat.

I don't want to inhibit her growth by spaying too early, but I also don't want to do it too late because I've read that it can increase the risks of certain illnesses. It's just so confusing.

I know all people have different reasons for doing things and it's pretty much whatever the owner is comfortable with.
My circumstances are this:
Maggie is my baby girl and I love her and want to do what's best for HER.
I'm not breeding from her and I'm not showing her (don't know if spaying makes a difference for that reason anyway)
I don't want her to get sick or have a greater chance of getting sick because of poor decision making on my part.

I live in a relatively small country town and my vet is very much one sided about spaying vs. vasectomy. I'm happy to spay so long as I don't do it too early. I just cant get a clear answer on when the best time is to do it.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[jpw0025]

The general consensus in a veterinary practice is six months. This is a typical age for sexual development in most dogs, however, we are the proud owners of giant breed dogs whose maturity is a little different. 18-24 months is the ideal time to spay or neuter any mastiff or giant breed dog, as it allows the body to benefit from growth hormones that help form growth plates and offer strength and stability to bones and joints. While it is true to delaying alteration CAN increase the risk of pyometra and mammary cancers, the risks and potential damage associated with an early procedure far outweigh them here. You will always get different opinions, even by different members here so just remember to keep an open mind and as fellow forum member musicdeb always says; "form your own opinions...and trust your gut"

 

[Maggie'sMum]

Thank you very much jpw0025

I really want to wait until Maggie's a little older and more mature.
What's your opinion on waiting until after the first heat cycle?
From everything I've read it's pretty 50/50. Some people are dead against it while others are all for it.

I've emailed the breeder who I got Maggie from but I wanted to hear from other TM owners and their experiences as well

Thanks again for your information.

 

[musicdeb]

I agree with jpw0025, 18-24 months is best so she can benefit from the hormones to grow up healthy. Check out the following link with great info about neutering/spaying too early.

Health Issues Linked to Spaying and Neutering Dogs

 

[cinnamon roll]

+1

OTE=musicdeb;290293]I agree with jpw0025, 18-24 months is best so she can benefit from the hormones to grow up healthy. Check out the following link with great info about neutering/spaying too early.

Health Issues Linked to Spaying and Neutering Dogs
[/QUOTE]

 

[elastigirl]

I did significant research before I decided to allow Ivy to go through one heat cycle. From what I read, for female dogs that are spayed before the first heat, the risk of mammary cancer is extremely low - less than 1%. After the first heat, that risk goes up to roughly 8%. So, while that is statistically significant, the way I look at it is this - if someone told me I had an 8% chance of winning the lottery, I probably wouldn't bother with buying a ticket.

After the SECOND heat is where the risk starts to go up a lot. At that point the risk goes up to about 25%. Now, if I had a 25% chance of winning the lottery - I'd probably pony up for a ticket. But that's just me and as others have said, you need to read up on this, form your own opinion and trust your gut.

I will be spaying Ivy next September/early October before she goes into heat for the second time. She'll be about 22 months old. So, she will have gotten the benefit of 22 months worth of hormones for her growth, but she won't go through that second heat.

JMO. Incidentally I had never been through a heat with a female dog before this. I'm pleasantly surprised to find that it has not been a big deal at all. Literally a few drops of blood on the floor from time to time (and we have wood floors, so no biggie) and she keeps herself very clean. She's also been more affectionate during this period. I don't know if this will last, but it's been a nice change and I'm enjoying it. She is, I think, about a week from finishing her heat.