Dog Spay Surgery (Ovariohysterectomy)

The dog spay surgery, and spaying and neutering of dogs in general does not make a pet fat and lazy.  In a healthy dog, free of hypothyroidism or other medical disorders, overfeeding and insufficient exercise are the main causes of a pet being fat. Don't blame the dog spay if a pet becomes overweight.

When To Spay: There is firm medical research indicating that if a dog spay surgery is performed before the dog's first estrus cycle (heat) the chances of developing mammary gland cancer later in life is nearly zero. If a dog goes through one heat cycle and then is spayed, the chances of mammary cancer later in life are slightly reduced.  And if a dog has three or more estrus cycles and then is spayed there is no protective influence against developing mammary cancer. In addition, any dog that is spayed will have no chance of developing a potentially fatal uterus infection called Pyometra. Many veterinarians recommend spaying dogs at about 6 months of age, which is generally prior to a dog's first heat cycle.  Some veterinarians will suggest that the surgery be done at 4 or 5 months of age.  Be sure to have a discussion with your veterinarian about the "whens" and "whys" of spaying.  There is no particularly convincing reason to let a dog "have 1 heat cycle" or "just 1 litter" prior to spaying.