When to Spay Bloodhounds?

When you adopt a bloodhound, one important thing you can do for her long-term health is have her spayed. This process removes her ovaries and renders her unable to have any puppies, which is better for her overall health and longevity. Spaying your pet can also play an important role in reducing the risk of developing deadly diseases later on in life. Many communities offer low-cost spaying and neutering services, so you can afford this critical procedure for your new pet.

  1. Before First Heat

    • Female dogs who are not spayed experience higher risk of developing reproductive cancers, like mammary cancer, as they age. This risk diminishes considerably the earlier you spay your dog. Since bloodhounds have a higher risk of cancer overall as a breed, you need to take every precaution to protect her through preventive measures, such as spaying as early as possible. Ideally, you should spay your bloodhound before her first heat, which is generally around 6 to 8 months of age.

    After First Heat

    • Even if you adopt an older dog who has experienced a heat cycle already, you can cut the risks significantly by spaying your dog. The chance she develops these dangerous forms of cancers remain under about 10 percent after first heat, and 25 percent after second heat. So, even if your bloodhound is a little older, it is not too late to initiate this critical procedure to benefit her long-term health, especially since a dog who develops cancer only has a 50 percent chance of survival.

    While Pregnant or In Heat

    • Though the general recommendation is to spay your bloodhound before her first heat cycle, the surgery can still be performed if she happens to go into heat. Perhaps you were unable to spay your bloodhound prior to a heat cycle, and she has become pregnant. Whatever the reason, you may decide to spay her before the puppies are born. However, veterinarians likely perform either of these services at an additional charge because of extra time and consideration, and care due to added risk.

    Earliest Prevention

    • To avoid the heat cycle entirely, your bloodhound can generally be spayed as early as 8 weeks of age. This helps you avoid all the pitfalls and complications, such as unintended pregnancy or behavioral changes that occur once a female goes into heat. However; even if your bloodhound should develop a cancerous tumor, spaying her helps reduce levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones that contribute to further tumor growth, and is a good choice no matter her age.