What's The Best Age

[hha]

There is no vet in this area that will spay/neuter before 5-6 mos. except they will do it for the animal shelters..but, I know the vet told me he hates doing it on those shelter pups at such a young age..

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by kwaymon

That's interesting. Do you think this test should be routine?

I think all yorkies should be be bile acid tested before they are put under anaesthesia for the first time (normally for spay/neuter), along with all othr blood work. Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have liver shunt than all other breeds combined. So, yes, I highly recommend having it done before spay/neuter.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by hha

There is no vet in this area that will spay/neuter before 5-6 mos. except they will do it for the animal shelters..but, I know the vet told me he hates doing it on those shelter pups at such a young age..

Many many vets are spaying/neutering at an earlier age now. It's always been the traditional thing to spay/neuter at 6 months, but it's becoming increasingly more common to spay/neuter earlier than that time. Different vets have their preferences so the individual owner will always have to find one they are more comfortable with. I don't necessarily see the point in waiting until 6 months to spay/neuter anymore, unless you plan to wait to see if baby teeth don't fall out on their own or the dog is too small at that age to be put under. It's all about preference I guess. The heath benefits are still there no matter what age you spay/neuter (as long as it's before puberty)...and there are no additional disadvantages to spaying/neutering before 6 months.

[lolobear]

If they are 'toy' yorkies then you should wait a bit longer. We got Lolo at 8 weeks - she is now 8 months and 2 pounds which is TINY (and we had no clue from the breeder she would be that small). Thank god I do not work, because I was up 3 times a night hand feeding her to keep her blood sugar up. She had 2 seizures and it was a NIGHTMARE. The vet said smaller pups really need to be with their moms longer for health, socialzation, etc. That is my take on it!!!

[lolobear]

I Am So Sorry - I Just Posted On The Wrong Thread!!! Please Forgive!!!

[lolobear]

If they are 'toy' yorkies then you should wait a bit longer. We got Lolo at 8 weeks - she is now 8 months and 2 pounds which is TINY (and we had no clue from the breeder she would be that small). Thank god I do not work, because I was up 3 times a night hand feeding her to keep her blood sugar up. She had 2 seizures and it was a NIGHTMARE. The vet said smaller pups really need to be with their moms longer for health, socialzation, etc. That is my take on it!!!

[Beabble]

Originally Posted by lolobear

I Am So Sorry - I Just Posted On The Wrong Thread!!! Please Forgive!!!

Lol, no, you posted on the right thread, lol. Thanks for your input, it's much appreciated.

[JSHealdsburg]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

The heath benefits are still there no matter what age you spay/neuter (as long as it's before puberty)...and there are no additional disadvantages to spaying/neutering before 6 months.

What are the benefits of spaying before puberty? Or is it best to spay after she has her first heat (if 'heat' is the right word)?

Thank you. Juno

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by JSHealdsburg

What are the benefits of spaying before puberty? Or is it best to spay after she has her first heat (if 'heat' is the right word)?

Thank you. Juno

There are huge benefits to spaying before the first heat cycle. By doing so, you practically eliminate the chance of mammary cancer later on.

Studies in dogs have shown that the risk of developing mammary cancer is 0.05 percent if the dog is spayed before the first heat, 8 percent if spayed after the first and before the second heat, and 26 percent after the second heat.

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/i...article&id=502