dogs in heat

[bananie]

hi all, have never posted in 'pets' before so I hope you can help. I have a x mastiff/gsd and she is 10 months old, her name is Keisha and she is beautiful. She is lovely natured, very clever and does what she's told, although has a tendency towards extreme laziness. Plus, she's very strong!! lol. however, when can I expect here to go on heat? I have also been given conflicting advice to a) have her spayed before her 1st heat b) soon after her 1st heat c) after her 2nd heat! and d) not at all! We don't have small children, we have no other pets, so what would you recommend that I do? thanks in advance.

[Metz]

not sure if it's right but i was told by my vet to have them spayed after their first heat to ensure things are working properly ,spaying can reduce the occurence of ovarian cancer..if you trust your vet talk to him/her ,you can always get a second opinion :o) hope this helps

[Noweia]

Spaying before their first heat is most effective at preventing female reproductive tumours. It's not so effective after their first heat, and after their second you may as well keep them entire if you're trying to prevent cancer!

[Illyria54]

Hi there, I have kept German Shepherds for over 35 years and I personally always let mine have 1 season, it lets the bitch become mature first, I am not against spaying before a first season but this is what I prefer for my dogs, obviously you have to keep your bitch away from male dogs but it is only for 3 weeks. As for when she will come into season it could be any time now really, my youngest was 10 months old when she had her first.

[garner]

Hi bananie, I have two dogs my little girl was spayed before a season and she is now 15 years old and we have never had any problems with her. Its up to you but if you do not want puppies get her done as soon as possible.Good luck .g.

[lankeela]

Guide Dogs spay their bitches before their first seasons, and I had a Collie cross who was done at six months before her first. It doesn't harm them, but I think you have probably left it a bit late to have her done before her first, as she may come in season any time now. Spaying bitches can prevent a lot of problems such as unwanted pregnancies, phantom pregnancies, mammary tumours and pyometra, which can be life threatening if untreated.

I'd get her done about three months after her season, when her body has had a chance to recover.