My dog just had her first heat. Is spaying her now safe? Any risks?

Yes, it is absolutely fine to spay your dog, and I applaud you for wanting to do it! She's humping because it feels good, not because she is necessarily in heat again. I would have it done before she goes into heat :-)

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!

It would be better to wait until after the heat as during the pre-estrus and heat the uterus is very well vascularized and the extra amount of female hormones increase bleeding. So in order too minimize the surgical risk it is better to have her spayed during anestrus, ie when not cycling.

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.

While any anesthesia carries a risk, spaying is generally a very safe procedure. The risks of anesthesia increase as a dog ages (I'm specifically referencing senior dogs like 10 years and older), but there are few risks for a young and healthy puppy. Your vet is right she could be ill in the future if you don't spay her. Not spaying her leaves her at risk of developing a pyometra in the future. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment, and spaying the dog is part of the treatment of a pyometra. That surgery is high risk due to the severity of the illness in the dog from the infection, and it costs thousands to perform. In addition, dogs who are spayed are at an increased risk of developing mammary tumors. Of these mammary tumors, 50% of them are malignant. For her health, it is best to spay her now. I would speak with your vet about getting it done. I hope this helps!

Yes - you can and should if you don’t plan to breed Rosie! There is not an increased risk for complications with anesthesia. If she is in heat there is an increased risk for bleeding but most veterinarians recommend waiting until after the heat cycle to spay.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Personally, if she has had vaginal bleeding for 6 months that isn't normal and I would spay here. Anesthesia and surgery is a bit riskier for geriatric dogs and cats but as long as blood work was done, safe anesthesia and monitoring equipment is used she should do well. I wish you and Pinky the best!