) and of course, Josie's coming too. That will put both Ryan and Josie in the same house...two puppies...born three weeks apart...of the opposite sex. My fiance and I both intend on getting our babies spayed and neutered as soon as we can. I've read that those procedures can be done as early as 8 weeks, but our local vet absolutely will not do them until they're six months old. Good for you for asking this question!
Chi's normally go into heat between 6-9 months of age, but some are reported to go as early as 4 months or as late as 12.
6 months is a good measure, most vets won't recommend to do it too early due to incomplete development of the external structures can cause recessed vulva to remain making the dog more prone to urinary tract infections. In addition, the anatomy may not be fully developed making the surgery unecessarily difficult.
However, this myth of spaying after first heat is very well, a MYTH.
According to scientific research, reproductive cancers (mammary gland, uterine, ovarian, cervical etc) are directly related to estrogen levels. In essence, they are activated by estrogen distribution.
Before the first heat, estrogen levels are very low and exposure to the hormone in reproductive parts that are not removed at spay (mammary glands) are not at great risk for cancer. As the dog goes through heat cycles, the risk of cancer grows greater and greater and levels off after around the 2nd or 3rd heat cycle.
Before the first heat cycle - spaying reduces the risk of reproductive cancer by 96.4%
After the first heat cycle - spaying reduces the risk by around 84%
After the second heat cycle - around 60%
After the third heat cycle - around 50%
Although the risk factor does not grow significantly after the third heat, spaying at ANY age still reduces the risk significantly since removal of reproductive organs eliminates their existence, and hence, any cancers in those areas. Furthermore, it removes possibility of serious infections of the uterus (pyometra).
There is no good reason not to spay if you do not intend to breed, and there is no reason to wait if the dog is in good health barring rare contraindications.
Hope that helps! Let us know how the surgery goes.
-Nate
Chi's normally go into heat between 6-9 months of age, but some are reported to go as early as 4 months or as late as 12.
6 months is a good measure, most vets won't recommend to do it too early due to incomplete development of the external structures can cause recessed vulva to remain making the dog more prone to urinary tract infections. In addition, the anatomy may not be fully developed making the surgery unecessarily difficult.
However, this myth of spaying after first heat is very well, a MYTH.
According to scientific research, reproductive cancers (mammary gland, uterine, ovarian, cervical etc) are directly related to estrogen levels. In essence, they are activated by estrogen distribution.
Before the first heat, estrogen levels are very low and exposure to the hormone in reproductive parts that are not removed at spay (mammary glands) are not at great risk for cancer. As the dog goes through heat cycles, the risk of cancer grows greater and greater and levels off after around the 2nd or 3rd heat cycle.
Before the first heat cycle - spaying reduces the risk of reproductive cancer by 96.4%
After the first heat cycle - spaying reduces the risk by around 84%
After the second heat cycle - around 60%
After the third heat cycle - around 50%
Although the risk factor does not grow significantly after the third heat, spaying at ANY age still reduces the risk significantly since removal of reproductive organs eliminates their existence, and hence, any cancers in those areas. Furthermore, it removes possibility of serious infections of the uterus (pyometra).
There is no good reason not to spay if you do not intend to breed, and there is no reason to wait if the dog is in good health barring rare contraindications.
Hope that helps! Let us know how the surgery goes.
-Nate
