What is the best age to spay a puppy?

Question

At her last vet appointment, the vet suggested that I get her spayed with her next visit. She will be 16.5 weeks old. She is a small mini Aussie who will weight about 14 lbs when full grown.

I had asked about getting her Microchip and was told due to her size, it would be best if done under sedation - the needle for this is very large.
She then suggested that I get her fixed and chipped at the same time, when I came back in for the last booster shot.

I had thought that you needed to wait until 5 to 6 months.

Answer 1

Nah that's an old myth.. Puppies and kittens are regularly spayed/neutered at 8+ weeks now.

We get our puppies spayed/neutered when they are in for their earcropping at 8 -9 weeks of age.. Been doing it for 12 years and not a problem at all..

Works out much better actually, they are concentrating only on being your companion, rather than other dogs, dominance issues, breeding etc.. Plus there is less problems with male /male aggression etc. Plus in the case of the Doberman, they only have to have that one surgery, rather than one for ears and then back later for neutering/spaying... it's all done at the same time and works out better. Plus it insures the responsible thing is done!





We actually do the microchipping also when they are there for spay/neuter.. They don't need to be put under for the microchip.. The needle isn't that big.. It's somewhat bigger than a regular vaccination needle, but it's not the size of a pencil or anything.. I have never heard of a vet putting them to sleep for a

microchip.. That's a little weird.



Edit: they actually recover MUCH quicker when they are spayed/neutered at 8 weeks or so.. They don't miss a beat, come home, eat drink play and you wouldn't even know they had surgery, if they didn't have one tiny wee stitch on their belly.

Answer 2

it all depends on were u got the dog and the health of the dog and if it came from the shelter or not , some shelters will spay them before u adopt them and others will give you a voulcher to use at ur vet and my excperiance working at a vet clinic we do not spay or neuter a dog or cat before 6 months old , they have to be 6 months old , and we wont spay a dog that is in heat either cause it is more complacted to do and risky for the dog its self meaning loseing alot more blood .but if your vet is sure about 5 months all vets do it different . keep us posted

Answer 3

I had my puppy spayed today. She is 6 months on Saturday. Dogs and cats can be done sooner, but generally this is done before they are adopted and loved by a family. If they are done at 2 or 3 months, there is a much greater risk of them dying (vet told me today.) I am under the impression it is important to do before their first heat (which happens sooner rather than later for smaller dogs.) Heat happens betwen 6 and 10 months. Good luck. It was sad to let her go have it done, but its better for everyone. I have three kids, I don't need any more puppies! Eboney is enough.

Answer 4

When I got my puppy at the local animal shelter he was already fixed, He was eight weeks old when he can home with me. They fixed him at 1 month old. I also have a female Chihuahua that the vet told me was best to fix before she reached two years of age because it would lower her risk of different types of female cancers. My third dog a 4 pound Chihuahua was chipped with out sedation, it only hurt him while they put the needle in. He gave a quick yelp and then was okay.

Answer 5

6 months is the usual recommendation for spay/neuter, but many vets and shelters seem to do it much earlier.

The needle for the microchip is about the size of the interior tube in a ballpoint pen, with the end cut at an angle. It is very sharp. The chip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. I held my dachshunds while the vet chipped them and it was no biggie (they are approx 15 # each.)

I'd just hold off on your next visit until she is closer to 6 months.

Be sure and bathe her before she goes in as you won't be able to for a while afterwards.

Another thing they can do for you while she is "out" is trim her nails - just ask.

Answer 6

My vet recommends spaying/neutering at around 5-6 months.

Answer 7

Yes some vet are spraying very young but just remember that you are the owner and if you want to wait until she is a bit older it is up to you. I always recomend to have the females fixed before their first heat. That is usually around 6 months old age.

She's your dog you decide for yourself.

Answer 8

I have a dog who waas spayed at 13 weeks she has medical problems. When I took her to a new vet they said before I even said anything about her that she was spayed too early. My new puppy I wont dare to do till she is six months old!!!

Answer 9

4 to 6 months is the average age to spay or neuter both cats & dogs the microchipping can be done at anytime, but is least painful under anesthia

Answer 10

chip her as soon as you can.

no pain at all, they do it in the fatty part at the back of the neck. they just freez it a little seconds thats all. and then they do the test to see if it worked realy neat,



worry about getting her done in the next few months , no worry if your not letting her out and alone but you know dogs they can surprise you in a second.

Answer 11

safest age is still and always will be between 4 and 6 months of age. Most breeders like myself would wait til 6 months.

Answer 12

i think that you should wait till she is 6 months old to spay. to have her chip it does not take a large needle. i had my dogs done at a mutt fest which was out doors. i would check with other vets and your humane socitey about chipping.

Answer 13

6 months old, as recommended by Vets. thats how old my puppy is omg i have a minnie aussie too i got it done 6months my vet said to.

Answer 14

Yeah, about 6 months.

Answer 15

Eight weeks is the minimum age now.

Answer 16

trust your instincts. I neutered my lil doggie when he was about... 7 months old. You should wait or your puppy might get hurt or get that area infected

Answer 17

i did my puppy at 1 month

Answer 18

these days you can spay at two months...so my vet told me....

mostly they are concerned about pet overpopulation.

Answer 19

the vet knows best.

Answer 20

I dont even know what it means.

Answer 21

when it goes to a home

Answer 22

wut does that mean