Kyra is in heat :(.

[nanahas3]

As most of you know we have been waiting for Kyra to get her growth plates closed before getting her spayed as she only weighs 2.6 lbs and is only 7 months old. She came in tonight . I was so hoping she would wait till she was a year old. Our little guy is fixed and she is not around other dogs but I still worry that its not good for her to be going through this.

[Ahis_Mama]

Some vets recommend that dogs go through their first heat before getting spayed. Ahi did in March at 10 months old. She gets spayed this coming Thursday and I'm a nervous wreck. Kyra will be fine. Ahi is also little at 3lbs. 14oz.

[nanahas3]

Thank you Roni I read so much about how important it is to have them spayed and I intend to do it as soon as the vet feels it is safe but they wanted to see if we could get her to 3 lbs first.

[kjc]

I really think it's more important and safer to wait and get her weight up. There are risks either way it's done, you just opt in for a different set of risks by waiting.

[nanahas3]

Yes that is what we are waiting for Kathy I just thought she would be a lot older when she had her first heat. I always pray for my babies so I can only leave her health in Gods hands. I guess I am just in shock she started so young.

[nanahas3]

She seems to be licking herself in that area alot, is this normal and should I allow it or put something over her so she can't?

[gracielove]

Most females go into heat right at 6 months. Despite her size she is pretty much on time. Since she will be bleeding for a couple of weeks she is going to try to keep herself clean. Some people use little doggy diapers on their females in heat. I'm sure you are aware that you cannot let her outside alone. She is small but the scent of a female in heat will attract male dogs from over a mile away. Please keep her safe.

[IsabelleOllie]

I went through that last summer with Belle. She went into heat the week after she turned 6 months old. She did a pretty good job keeping herself clean, but I wish I'd gotten some panties for her as there were a few spots that I had to clean up on some blankets.
Oliver is neutered, but picked up a bad habit of marking my dining room table while Belle was in heat. I also had to constantly supervise them because Oliver was very "interested" and kept mounting her. It was quite annoying to everyone, especially Belle. I had to seperate them when we couldn't be home.
The good news is, it doesn't last forever, and you'll have another six months before her next heat to get her spayed. Having been through it once with Belle, I'm so thankful that we won't have to do it again!

[nanahas3]

I am sorry I haven't responded to this before now and updated. Little Kyra is being quite the lady through all this and has kept herself very clean. I cannot believe we still have 11 more days to go lol. I definately keep her beside me at all times outside although we live in a very secluded area on 20 acres I do know there is still a chance of a lurking male dog. Laddy also has tried the humping thing and Kyra seems to encourage this so I have had to tell them both no no a few times lol. I definately will be getting her fixed as soon as its safe so neither she, myself or poor Laddy have to go through this again lol.

[Yorkiemom1]

The risks are much higher doing surgery on a tiny little dog than her going thru a season....even 2 seasons!! The incidence of cancer, mammary and uterine, in an intact female has been reported to MAY become an issue at anywhere from 3-5 years of age.... She is going to be just fine! Get some weight on her and then be safer doing this surgery! I am all for spaying/neutering after growth plates have developed, but I think the idea of terrifying people into thinking their baby is going to fall over dead from mammary or uterine cancer if they ever go through a season, is not fair to the owner or the dogs. NOT every dog that remains intact will die from cancer, the incidence of cancer is increased in intact dogs, but it is not a foregone death sentence. I just had to say that, in the interest of "fair and balanced" reporting!!!

[SophieNoel]

Thank you Yorkiemom for your post. With all the research I've done on spaying and neutering, that's the conclusion I've been coming to. I think waiting until a dog is through growing before neutering makes a lot of sense! From what I read their hormones are necessary for proper growth.

Of course, waiting does require much diligence on the part of the owner. But if its in the best interest of my pups, I'm all for it!

[Lil Sis]

Remy had one cycle.. and the vet said she was going into heat when we had her spay. I also waited until she had some weight on her.. I really can't remember without looking at the paperwork but I think she was a little over 3 lbs when she had her spay.

Good luck

[Lilymo]

My girls are 6 months tomorrow. I just by chance found a new vet hospital opened up about 20 minutes from where we live. They do laparoscopic spaying using keyhole. I believe this is much safer as their is only a small hole incision and only light anisthesia also takes less time. Recover is also much quicker. The down side is that it costs double a normal spay. Am still seriously considering this. It might be worth looking into for your wee one.

[nanahas3]

Originally Posted by Lilymo

My girls are 6 months tomorrow. I just by chance found a new vet hospital opened up about 20 minutes from where we live. They do laparoscopic spaying using keyhole. I believe this is much safer as their is only a small hole incision and only light anisthesia also takes less time. Recover is also much quicker. The down side is that it costs double a normal spay. Am still seriously considering this. It might be worth looking into for your wee one.

I haven't heard of this but will certainly ask my vet about it as she is concerned about spaying her if she doesn't grow some. I am going to wait till the xray shows the growth plates have finished but I know she needs to be done, its just a matter of when. She is 7 months now and hasn't gained any since she was 5 months so we are hoping she will have a growth spurt.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Lilymo

My girls are 6 months tomorrow. I just by chance found a new vet hospital opened up about 20 minutes from where we live. They do laparoscopic spaying using keyhole. I believe this is much safer as their is only a small hole incision and only light anisthesia also takes less time. Recover is also much quicker. The down side is that it costs double a normal spay. Am still seriously considering this. It might be worth looking into for your wee one.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE EXPERIENCED IN DOING THIS!!! If they are, then it really is safe and effective with much less recovery time...just dont want them to get in there and cut the wrong thing....dont laugh, IT HAPPENS, AND THEN YOU GET, "WELL WE HAD TO CONVERT TO AN OPEN SPAY BECAUSE SHE HAD SOME KIND OF ISSUE....."...UMMMMHUMMM!!!