Come see our new puppy and answer a question please

[bear_mom]

We had to put our older dog to sleep in April. Our oldest took it pretty hard and finally was asking for a puppy again so we went and picked up Ella from a rescue about an hour away from us. She is about 15 weeks old and is supposed to be pure lab.

My question arises about when to spay her. The lady who runs the rescue said it was better to wait until they had their first heat. The vet said he likes to do it earlier, 4-6 months. Anyone know any pros/cons to either?

Emily

 

[HollyMac71]

Do it earlier as your vet says. I have a choc lab male.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

I'm with the vet. There is no medical benefit to allow them to go into heat, and lots of reasons not to. It's miserable for them and drives you crazy.

I've got a chocolate lab with papers, a mixed black lab without, a shephard mix from the shelter and a brand new chihuahua puppy (5 weeks) from a shelter a couple of hours from here. Of course, we also have 3 shelter cats and 1 himalayan. We're equal opportunity fur parents. We got the choco lab cause a friend of mine breeds them and the we knew she was going to have food issues that were going to be difficult to deal with (the dog, not my friend - she has plastic surgery issues, but that's a different subject). So, she GAVE her to me (YAY!!). She still has food issues (still the dog not the friend) but other than that she's a great dog. Smart as a whip and big as a horse!

 

[daneenm]

Listen to the Vet. I have not ever heard a medical reason why you should wait until their first heat. I HAVE heard of several 'accidents' occurring when people did wait for the first heat.

 

[dansyr2514]

I have also read and heard before they go into heat. BTW your pup is adorable.

 

[disneyholic family]

we have a black lab...(she's our third dog - our first was a golden, second was a canaani)

definitely go according to what the vet says....
waiting for the first heat is an old wives tale..

if you have a vet you trust, you should go by his/her opinion...

 

[sshaw10060]

I am a vet. The major reason to spay before the first heat is that it eliminates the risk of the developing mammary cancer down the road. If they have a single heat cycle the risk goes up 40%. After 2 heats 80% and there is no protection if spayed after that. I vote spay now.

 

[Justin Jett]

I am a vet. The major reason to spay before the first heat is that it eliminates the risk of the developing mammary cancer down the road. If they have a single heat cycle the risk goes up 40%. After 2 heats 80% and there is no protection if spayed after that. I vote spay now.

Scott is correct.

 

[HollyMac71]

I'm with the vet. There is no medical benefit to allow them to go into heat, and lots of reasons not to. It's miserable for them and drives you crazy.

I've got a chocolate lab with papers, a mixed black lab without, a shephard mix from the shelter and a brand new chihuahua puppy (5 weeks) from a shelter a couple of hours from here. Of course, we also have 3 shelter cats and 1 himalayan. We're equal opportunity fur parents. We got the choco lab cause a friend of mine breeds them and the we knew she was going to have food issues that were going to be difficult to deal with (the dog, not my friend - she has plastic surgery issues, but that's a different subject). So, she GAVE her to me (YAY!!). She still has food issues (still the dog not the friend) but other than that she's a great dog. Smart as a whip and big as a horse!

A choc lab with food issues?!? Our choc is addicted to loaves of bread. His nose is incredible and big as a horse!

 

[Sammie]

Early, listen to the vet.

 

[tolemommy]

Just chiming in, no experience with a lab, pug owner, my vet spayed my pug Disney prior to her going into heat. She was 4.5 months old as I recall. I was happy with this choice, I didn't want to deal with her going into heat...

 

[GaRain]

Oh, I miss my black lab, Sam! She was a sweetheart!
Your puppy is adorable! Spay early!

They love water, BTW. We got Sam her own kiddie pool to "swim" in.