To Spay or Not to Spay before first heat
 

Hi Everyone, I'm looking for some advice on when to spay my female yorkie, Maggie. She and her litter mate, Bogey are about 5 1/2 months old now. I have been advised by Bogey's physical therapist to not have him neutered until he's finished growing (about 8 months to a year old). The same vet's office said they do not spay females until that time either (will talk to vet on Tues). If I only had one dog or they were the same sex I wouldn't be concerned but I sure don't want to take any chances on an accidental mating. First question is...Do you recommend waiting that long? I've heard pros and cons. It's been many years since I had a female. At that time they recommended letting them go through one heat before spaying, then it changed so I'm not sure what is best. Second questions is...I know it will sound silly but is there anything I can do to prevent them from mating besides separating them? They have been together since birth so it won't be easy. They love each other and sleep side by side. Are there any signs that I can look for that she is coming into heat? If there is maybe I could have her spayed right before? I don't know what to do!!!! :confused:

My vet recommeded spaying my female before the first heat. He said that it would better her chances of not having mammory tumors later in life. As for your little male, all of our males have been neutered at 8 months.
There really isnt any way to keep a mating from happening unless you keep them in separate rooms and take them potty at different times.

Oh great :( I think I'm going to have to talk the vet into spaying her a little early, definitely no older than 8 months. She is the bigger one of the two, I'm guessing she is over 4 pounds now. I'll find out Tuesday when they go for their rabies shots. I had always planned on getting them both spayed/neutered at 6 months because that's what I did with my previous yorkie but....

:thumbup:

My vet recommended spaying before first heat so we did and I would definitely do that sense you have a boy and a girl and you don't want siblings to accidently mate.

Thanks for the input ladies. I'll see what the vet has to say on Tuesday.

This link has a lot of good info: ASPCA | How Will Spaying Change My Dog?

Princess & Turbo (sister & brother) got fixed @ 6 months of age. I wanted to wait til 7, closer to 8 months, but my friend that was taking care of them @ the time wanted it done asap bc Turbo was trying to hump Princess.:eek: I think it was a dominance thing than a sexual thing loll but she didn't want to chance it.
Most Yorkies sexually mature around 8 months-1 year of age...but all dogs are different. To be on the safe side, maybe you can spay Maggie around 6-7 months, also have any retained puppy teeth removed @ the same time so she doesn't need to go under again. Meanwhile, play tug of war & it will help loosen loose teeth!