Spaying my cocker spaniel

[missrandom]

My cocker spaniel is 7 and a half months old. We want to have her spayed before her first season (as more health benefits). Can she get it done at this early age?
Also she has a really really lovely soft coat, will this change?

[veritymoon]

you can get her done now providing on the day of the op she is showing no signs of coming into season.
as for her coat some change some dont but its much better as you already know to get her done before first season, less health problems in later life for her.

[carmalee]

try googling spaying a bitch - there are all sorts of web sites to answer your questions. there's a Scottish veterinery practice which has a particularly informative section - (think you have to follow the website links to 'leaflets' and you get all sorts of info on spaying - hope this helps.

[missrandom]

thanks guys, stupidly i had been googling spaying a cocker spaniel, rather than a bitch, loads more clear info. I'll phone vets tomorrow.
thanks

[barb1314]

Hi missrandom,I asked this last week.My labrador is 8 months next week and has had no season.My vet checked that she was mature enough,and not about to come into season.He told me that the main benefit is that speying before a season virtually eradicates the chance of mammary cancer.There is a tiny chance of incontinence a little earlier in bitches who have been speyed at a young age but nothing has been proven.Also there is a move to speying at a younger age because there are no proven downsides.The RSPCA,for instance,do this so their bitches can be rehomed as soon as possible.I also asked about her coat,she has been called the little seal due to her shiny one and my vet said her diet is much more likely to effect the quality of her coat and not whether she has been speyed or not. Consequently my beloved girl is having her op on Wednesday.I am dreading it but this time next week it will all be over and she'll probably be bouncing around! Hope that helps you to make a decision.Barb x

[jules77]

Some vets prefer to wait until they have had their first season to give them chance to mature. There is a good chance it will affect coat texture, but shouldnt be too problematic in your breed, moreso in the long double coated breeds where the coat can become wooly and felt like.

[missrandom]

all booked in for friday, cheers

[barb1314]

Hi missrandom,just wanted to let you know that my labrador,Lottie,was spayed yesterday and all went really well.She is great today.Just trying to keep her calm but she is almost back to normal already.Last night she was so drowsy I can't believe the difference in her so soon.So this is to say not to worry.I'll be thinking about you.I felt sick yesterday morning.Hope all goes well for your dog.

[missrandom]

aah, i'm glad lottie is ok, i think i'll have the same problem with Zoom, she's as crazy as they come! I will be worried though as my springer we had when i was a child, died shortly after her spey (but she was a lot older), Zoom be fine I'm sure.
x