How Soon Is Too Soon for Spaying?

Dear Dr. Fox:

I couldn't find anything on your Web site about spaying. I adopted an adorable 3-month-old puppy from the SPCA. According to the SPCA, a puppy should be spayed within 30 days of adoption, which would mean having my puppy spayed at 4 months old, which she is now.

I called the SPCA with my concerns and asked whether I could wait until she is at least 6 months old. They said I had to have her spayed within 30 days, per the contract I signed. I looked up the law, and it actually says within 30 days of adoption -- or, if the puppy isn't sexually mature, within 30 days of six months.

What is your opinion on spaying so young? I looked up what I could find on the Internet. I know there is concern about certain types of cancer, either from early or late spaying, and that the chance of incontinence can increase if a puppy is too young. I assume that hormones are important to the development of a puppy, and the longer I wait to have her spayed, the better.

I called the SPCA vet, and he said that the young ones seem to "bounce right back" and that he wasn't concerned about spaying so young. I understand why the SPCA wants to make sure no more unwanted animals are born, but I want to do what is best for my dog.

K.F.

New York

It is my understanding that the main reason shelters mandate early spaying and castrating is because many people do not come back to have their adopted pups and kittens fixed.

My opinion is that a pup or kitten -- after the trauma of weaning, after the stress of being in a shelter and after receiving vaccinations and worming drugs -- should not be operated on until the immune system is back to full throttle and the animal has been declared healthy, physically and emotionally, and has settled into its adopted home.