**Dr. Gus Schwabe was kind enough to lend us his expertise. Here's what he has to say......

There are three groups of people who will tell you to spay your bitch:

1) the humane societies - because they have such a problem with a run-away dog population. Imagine what they go through every day having to euthanize healthy dogs just because there are no homes for them to go to!!

2) Your local municipalities (towns, counties, etc.) because they don’t need the complaints from residents. “Your dog got into my yard and mated with my dog. I’m going to sue you!” The courts don’t need to be bothered by this issue.

3) Your Veterinarian - we are concerned about the long-term health of your dog.

Who should have their dog spayed? Everyone who does not intend to show their dog in conformation for breeding purposes, and does not have a “breeding clause” in their contract should have it done.

What is a spay operation? - A spay is a complete Ovariohysterectomy. The standard surgical sterilization of a female dog. In the United States, at least, the Ovaries and the entire Uterus are removed. In speaking with colleagues in other parts of the world this may not be the case universally. I have heard that in some countries only the ovaries are removed and the uterus is left intact. In my mind there is no advantage to this. The purpose is to remove the source of Estrogen and prevent uterine complications such as infections as well as sterilization. The procedure is an abdominal surgery and is done under general anesthesia.

When should the spay be done? - This has been a source of contention lately. Traditionally, a spay is done at or about six months of age because this is the age of puberty in dogs. Some have recommended allowing the bitch to have her first heat cycle, as you will see this is not advised. Many groups have shown an interest in spaying earlier for a variety of reasons. Recent studies have shown that there is no harm in neonatal spaying, the only long-term effect is that the growth plates of the bones close later which results in a larger and/or taller bitch. There is essentially no difference in anesthetic risk. I would recommend spaying anytime after a puppy has had at least two of its puppy vaccinations for immune reasons. An adult dog can be spayed anytime and this is recommended for retired show dogs or breeding bitches that have had a history of reproductive problems. Such problems include, but are not limited to, a history of pregnancy failures such as early embryonic death and reabsorbtion, repeated failure to conceive, abortion or difficulty whelping in breeds not usually requiring cesarean sections. It may also be a required part of the treatment for conditions occurring in adult or geriatric dogs. The anesthetic risk is, of course, lower in young healthy bitches.

Why should a bitch be spayed? - Here are the MEDICAL reasons, there are also many other good and valid reasons to have your bitch spayed. Estrogen is a very powerful anabolic steroid with many short and long term effects. Here is a list of some of the medical conditions proven to be influenced by Estrogen.

1) Ovarian - Primary Ovarian Cancer - just as lethal id dogs as it is in Women, Cystic conditions of the Ovaries - follicular cysts cause a prolonged “heat cycle”, leuteal cysts cause profound hormonal changes in the uterus.

2) Uterine - Many of the conditions occurring in women also occur in the bitch including fibroid growths, endometritis, endometriosis, hydrometra, mucometra, and pyometra, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma of the uterine wall and cervical cancer. Uterine torsion, as dangerous as gastric torsion, uterine prolapse and uterine rupture.

3) Vaginal Hyperplasia.

4) The presence of Estrogen in the body has a profound effect on the effectiveness of the treatments for Diabetes and Epilepsy. Diabetes is much more common in intact bitches than in spayed bitches. Management of these diseases is much simpler in the spayed bitch.

5) Mammary Glands - The occurrence of Mammary Cysts and Tumors is directly related to the age of spaying. Spaying before the first estrus cycle decreases the incidence of mammary tumors to less than 0.5% compared to intact bitches, if done after one estrus cycle the risk of mammary tumors rises to 8.0%, after two cycles the risk increases to 26%. Spaying a bitch after 2 1/2 years of age has no preventative effect on mammary gland tumors.* There is anecdotal evidence, however, that spaying as an adult reduces the risk of metastatic and malignant tumors of the mammary glands.
*Fanton, J.W. and Withrow, S.J., Calif. Vet. 35:12, 1981

All of the above conditions can be prevented by spaying your bitch at an early age. Anyone who owns a dog should read this and consider if they want to take the risk of having their pet go through this. It is a proven fact that spayed bitches live a longer, happier, and healthier life. I hope this helps people come to the right decision, keeping the dog’s welfare in mind.


Gus Schwabe DVM

**The articles on this page are the exclusive intellectual property of Gus Schwabe, MA, DVM. Reprints or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the author.

Dr Schwabe is a graduate of Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine and has completed post doctoral studies at Oklahoma State University, Ohio State University and The University of the Netherlands, Utrecht Schools of Veterinary Medicine. He is a practicing Companion Animal Veterinarian with special interest in Canine Reproduction and public education.

Dr Schwabe also enjoys showing his Great Danes in both conformation and obedience and is authoring the first comprehensive book on Giant breeds as a group. You may contact the author directly at gusschwabedvm@yahoo.com


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