When to spay after puppies? - Page 1

I am planning to spay my girl after this litter but wasn't sure when was the best time to do it.  I'm not in any rush really, but would like to get it done prior to her next heat cycle.  She's 5 years old and is my performance dog.  Suggestions?

I think it works best if you get them back in shape after the litter somewhat;  cause once you spay them, it is so much harder to get them into shape;  everything goes south.  Sagging tits, loose muscleing, coat etc.  I would wait unless there is a health reason to spay her immediately until her body goes back to its normal  state.  That might mean letting her have another season though, and probably does as some of the conditioning after a litter is of course harmones;  and the harmones keep the dogs in shape. 

I am also spaying a bitch (tomorrow in fact) that is 2 years old;  a young body and never had a litter;  am dreading the weight gain and muscle loss, she's in good shape walks about 2 miles each day and all and is on a raw diet which helps keep muscle, but they tend to go to hell after spaying.  Not looking forward to trying to keep her conditioned.  Whatever you do, good luck and good health.  Nan

I had my second female spayed with 3 years of age and she didn't change a bit, except that she didn't have any false pregnancies anymore. Just don't stop working with her and feed her according to her needs and not according to any diagrams on packaging...didn't have any problems with muscle mass at all, nor with mammary issues...

I would ask your vet. The mammary should be completely dry after weaning and her weight should be good. I'd least wait a month after weaning and yes, have her in great shape before spaying.

Look into a TUBAL LIGATION instead of a full spay.  And yes, you will encounter resistance from vets, just keep digging for the right vet, but your dog cant speak for herself and this way, she'll keep her performance & won't get fat, she'll still go in heat, but can't get pregnant.  

Also I give my females 100% herbal ESTROTONE 1 tiny pill per day once spayed/tubal ligation.  Made by New chapter to help with the change she will experience.  available at Amazon. 

Thanks.  She's a pretty athletic girl and she got back into shape pretty quickly after her last litter so I think that shouldn't be too much of a problem.  Guess I'll just see how she does and if we have to go though another cycle to get back to normal then so be it.

Why would you do a tubal ligation?  If your dog is still going into heat and producing all those hormones then there is hardly any benefit to doing that except that they can't get pregnant.  I'm not concerned about my dog getting pregnant, I'd like to cut back on our risks of cancer, pyometria, and I'm gonna be a little selfish and say it would be nice to be able to enter a trial and not have to worry about if we're going to run into the heat cycle itself but also the airheaded ditzy behavior that often preceeds it.  Heck, I'm a woman and I get hormonal mood swings, I'm sure my dog does too and I'd be grateful to have those taken away =)