Heat and spaying?

Sadiesmom

New member
Sadie will be one on the 24 th of sept. she has not gone into heat yet. Do females go into heat in the winter? Our breeder says we. Can spay her after her first heat cycle but I am hearing different things, people have told me to wait until 2 but then going through multiple heats scares me with her getting a infection. Also some people say she's ok to spay now. Opinions anyone??
 

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Yes she can come in heat in the winter. I'd wait until she is 18-24 months before spaying. Let her grow up.
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
How do you know she will be in heat on Sept 24th? You can spay her after her first heat cycle or you can wait. They cycle about every 6 mo regardless of what time of year it is. Your breeder should have gone over this with you, so you may want to check with her on her preferences.
 

YorkvilleNewfie

New member
I would wait until after she finishes her first heat. Letting them go through at least one does seem to be the general concensus in the Newf community.
 

blaue_augen

New member
Our breeder asked us to wait until Suki is 2, so we are going to wait until then. It makes sense to me to let her get all that growing done before her spay. We have gone through one heat cycle so far at 11 months (it varies for each dog, just like people, so don't worry that she hasn't yet). I really dislike the stress of the heat cycles. I was so worried something would happen, despite being careful and not letting her outside alone. But I figure it's 2 or 3 heat cycles of discomfort for me waiting until she is two, and the benefits seem to outweigh that.
 

Sadiesmom

New member
I guess that's my problem is I'm stressing so much over her first heat.... My breeder said to spay her after her first heat cycle. I've never been through a heat with a dog, my cats were all spayed before I got them abd the dogs we had all were spayed at 6 months. My breeder is great but since I keep hearing other people aroubd me with newfies say different things I just wanted to know what everyone here thought.
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
I guess that's my problem is I'm stressing so much over her first heat.... My breeder said to spay her after her first heat cycle. I've never been through a heat with a dog, my cats were all spayed before I got them abd the dogs we had all were spayed at 6 months. My breeder is great but since I keep hearing other people aroubd me with newfies say different things I just wanted to know what everyone here thought.
Why are you so stressed about it?
 

Elizabeth

New member
Misha went through her first cycle in May and I was a bit stressed about it too. Never been through that either. :) It was fine, yes a bit messy but we dealt with it just fine. I don't really want to deal with it again but I'd rather wait a while to spay and have the benefits of waiting than deal with possible growth and cruciate ligament trouble down the road. So for right now I'm thinking at about 14 months I'll spay her. (and have a gastropexy done)
Don't worry about her getting pyo, just pay attention to her health after her heat. :)

E
 

Sadiesmom

New member
Thanks I feel better knowing I'm
Not the only one who was stressed over the heat cycle. I just want to do everything right for her.
 

Thehallk

New member
Gilly didn't have her heat until she was about 18 months anyways, and we waited three months after that to get her spayed. I was stressed too! The mess itself (blood drops and stinky butt dog) didn't bother me at all. But I actually had nightmares (during her heat cycle) that somehow when I wasn't looking she got out, or some boy got in. I think the stress for me came from the knowledge that if somehow something DID happen, our contract says the breeder can take her away from us and fine us several thousand dollars (I think this is a fair stipulation, but it sure is scary!) Plus taking her out to pee/poop on a leash in our own yard, and all the regimented on-leash walks were hard for Gilly who loves her offleash adventure walks - she gets out so much more energy which makes all of us happier.

I am happy with our decision to wait until after her first heat cycle, but I'm also happy it's not in our contract to wait until she is 2+ years or until more heat cycles have passed. Personally, I feel like I'm not a breeder, i'm not an expert, and it's a lot of work, so while i DID seriously consider Gilly's health I also needed to consider what was reasonable for me and our family.
 

nsmarlis

New member
I'm experiencing a heat cycle for the first time in 30 yrs. as I usually take older dogs, but it's not really very troublesome. A little smelly & for a couple of days I had a wet floor rag handy. But my neutered boy wasn't much bothered & neither was my other girl. If you spay after the heat, remember to wait for a couple of months so that everything can shrink back to normal size.
 

Sugah

New member
Moosh just finished her second heat - we'll have her spayed in a couple months - and while it's somewhat messy there's nothing to worry about. It will be better for her joints and growth in the long run. Her first was in the winter (January) so yes, it can happen.

For the first time, to minimize the mess, I bought a couple pairs of men's briefs and put a pad in it. Just put the briefs on so the hole is on her tail side and pull the tail through. The pad will likely need to be changed 2 or three times a day. You can also buy disposable and washable diapers for dogs in heat and with incontinence issues.
The second time she was in heat I used a pair of washable diapers (about $30) and put the pad in there. They were easier to deal with as they had velcro sides and fit better. But it's up to you how much money you want to spend.

Good luck!
 

Crispinbear

New member
I never spay my girls since we had Mulberry done after her first heat and she became a little incontinent as a result. She will be 10 next month and it's been very difficult dealing with it these last few years. The smell and keeping the floors and bed clean. So my advice is to leave it as late as possible or if you can cope not at all.
 

Ginny

New member
I never spay my girls since we had Mulberry done after her first heat and she became a little incontinent as a result. She will be 10 next month and it's been very difficult dealing with it these last few years. The smell and keeping the floors and bed clean. So my advice is to leave it as late as possible or if you can cope not at all.
You are extremely lucky you've not had a deadly pyometra (uterine infection). Having that occur is far worse than any incontinence issue...
 

Ginny

New member
That's what Im afraid of with Sadie going through a heat but I know it will be better for her to wait.
The greater the number of heat cycles, the greater the chance of pyometra. I wouldn't worry about it in your girl's case. With giants, you definitely should wait until about a year and a half to spay/neuter.
 

Tula

New member
I too was a bit worried about Piper going through a heat. I believe this was because I had no experience, as all my other dogs were rescues. Our contract stipulated waiting for a year to spay, but it was recommended to wait till through her first heat. We had her spayed at a year, as my daughter was having surgery, so we did not experience a heat.
 

911Newfs

New member
I believe the best time to spay or neuter a giant breed dog should be between 15 to 18 months of age. 15 months for bitches, after she has had her first heat; 18 months for males. At this age, the growth plates should be closed and therefore will lessen the chance of osteosarcoma. JMO

But one should always consider each dog individually. In other words, there may be reasons to spay/neuter earlier, later, or never, based on the dog's health.



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