I know unspayed bitches who come into their first heat are more likely to get cancer than spayed bitches. What about if they go into their first heat, but then later in life they are spayed? Do their chances of developing cancer decrease or stay the same?
by 
StemnyJones
ANSWERS: 3
-
It is better if they are spayed before they ever come into heat. But being spayed no matter when it is, is better for them than not. Not only are they at risk for cancer, but they have a good chance of developing pyometra if they are not spayed.
-
The sooner you have her spayed the better. The best thing is to spay before any heat cycle. I don't know how many are too many. We had a German Shorthair who had two cycles, was spayed on her second heat and she had breast cancer when she was 7 and continued having them every 2 years until we couldn't keep up with the surgeries anymore. I wish I had had her spayed earlier, even though she lived to 12, it would have saved her a lot of pain.
-
All bitches should have their first season because it is a sure sign that they have developed properly, in some cases, premature neutering can lead to urinary incontinence and infections - if you are not going to breed from her then she should be spayed 2-3 months after a season. Each season she has increases her chances of mammary tumours, pyos, etc. Which is why it is best to have it done sooner rather than later.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC