I have researched this subject, extensively, for my own dog, and I think all owners should do this before making a decision...The following information is why I have decided to wait until Apple has had her first heat...But this is my decision, and not meant to impose the same on anyone else...Just thought you might like to see some of the facts, before you make yours...Hope this helps....
�For female dogs, the situation is more complex. The number of health benefits associated with spaying may exceed the associated health problems in some (not all) cases. On balance, whether spaying improves the odds of overall good health or degrades them probably depends on the age of the female dog and the relative risk of various diseases in the different breeds.�
On the positive side, spaying female dogs:
� if done before 2.5 years of age, greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors, the most common malignant tumors in female dogs
� nearly eliminates the risk of pyometra, which otherwise would affect about 23% of intact female dogs; pyometra kills about 1% of intact female dogs
� reduces the risk of perianal fistulas
� removes the very small risk (?0.5%) from uterine, cervical, and ovarian tumors
On the negative side, spaying female dogs:
� if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis
� increases the risk of splenic hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 2.2 and cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of >5; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds
� triples the risk of hypothyroidism
� increases the risk of obesity by a factor of 1.6-2, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems
� causes urinary �spay incontinence� in 4-20% of female dogs
� increases the risk of persistent or recurring urinary tract infections by a factor of 3-4
� increases the risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis, especially for female dogs spayed before puberty
� doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract tumors
� increases the risk of orthopedic disorders
� increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations |