When is the best time to spay my dachshund and how to prepare?

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Typically, spay surgery is recommended around 6 months of age but current research has shown it is a little better to wait until 9 months to a year of age especially for large breed dogs to avoid certain orthopedic problems. I hope this helps!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think it is find to wait until Nigel is 1 year old to neuter him. The descended testicle (cryptorchid) should be ok for another 6 months. Overtime (years) there is a risk that the retained testicle can become cancerous. Good luck!

No, the growth will actually be accelerated, as the dog will grow longer Usually sexual maturity will stop growth, If you remove the testicles, he will never become sexually mature, therefore will grow longer. Have him neutered at 6 months, if you cannot separate him from his sister when she is in heat. Or have her spayed before her first heat, also at around 6 months of age. When he starts roaming, have him neutered. Don't wait until 3 months after starting to roam.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Doodles. I prefer to wait 2-3 months after a heat cycle to spay a patient. The surgery is technically less difficult as the vessels are not as engorged with blood after the heat cycle. It is possible to have it done during a cycle, but I feel it is riskier. I hope this information helps!

Typically, the first heat cycle will occur between 6 and 9 months of age. It really depends on the individual dog and there is no way to determine when your dog will go into heat for the first time. You can have her spayed at 4 months, but you will likely need to take her somewhere else if your veterinarian won't do it. Waiting until 6 months should not pose an issue though. It's the age a large percentage of dogs are spayed or neutered.

There is some evidence that waiting until an adult has reached skeletal maturity, which for a female dog occurs around the same time as the first heat cycle, is beneficial for bone and joint development and could decrease the risk for orthopedic disease in the future. This is relatively new research however, and if you have reasons to want to schedule the surgery now it should be fine too - many shelter animals are spayed when they are 8 weeks old prior to adoption.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, it is fine to spay a 6 year old dog. It is the best way to prevent further pregnancy and to prevent an infected uterus (pyometra) which is life threatening. The only negative at this age is that the surgery will be more difficult and she is at a bit of a higher risk for bleeding. I would also be sure your Vet does a good exam and gets blood work before surgery to be sure she is healthy. It will also take her a bit longer than a young dog to recover. She will likely be acting like herself with in 3 days but will be fully recovered at 2 weeks like younger dogs. I wish you the best!