Why We Wait Until 18 Months
For extra-large breed dogs (such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and similar breeds), we recommend waiting until 18 months of age before spaying or neutering.
This delay allows for:
- Proper bone and joint development: Early spay/neuter can increase the risk of orthopedic problems such as ACL tears or hip dysplasia.
- Healthy hormone development: Hormones play an important role in muscle growth and bone density.
- Reduced long-term health risks: Studies show that delaying surgery can lower the risk of certain cancers and urinary incontinence.
Why We Recommend Gastropexy
At the time of spay or neuter, we also recommend performing a gastropexy.
What it is:
A gastropexy is a preventative surgical procedure that tacks the stomach to the body wall to help prevent a life-threatening condition called GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus) or “bloat.”
Why it matters:
- Large, deep-chested breeds are at high risk for GDV.
- GDV can occur suddenly and is often fatal without emergency surgery.
- A gastropexy can prevent the stomach from twisting, reducing the risk by over 90%.
- Doing this procedure at the same time as the spay or neuter avoids an additional anesthetic event and recovery period.
What to Expect
- Your dog will stay with us for the day of surgery.
- Pain control and home care instructions will be provided.
- Activity should be restricted for 10–14 days after surgery.
- Follow-up visit: Recheck incision in 10–14 days or sooner if any swelling, redness, or discharge is noted.
Preparing for Surgery
- No food after midnight before the procedure.
- Water is allowed until the morning of surgery.
- Bring any current medications with you.
- Plan a calm, low-activity recovery period at home.
- For post-op care after a gastropexy, feed your pet small, frequent portions.
Summary
Waiting until 18 months and performing a gastropexy with the spay/neuter helps:
- Protect joint and bone health
- Reduce risk of certain cancers
- Prevent life-threatening bloat
- Ensure your giant breed lives a longer, healthier life
Pros and Cons of Waiting to Spay/Neuter Large & Giant Breed Dogs
Pros (Benefits of Waiting Until 18 Months)
- Improved Bone and Joint Health: Allows growth plates to fully close, supporting proper skeletal alignment and reducing risk of hip dysplasia, ACL tears, and other orthopedic issues.
- Better Muscle Development: Natural hormones (estrogen/testosterone) help build lean muscle and maintain a healthy body structure during growth.
- Lower Risk of Certain Cancers: Early spay/neuter may increase the risk of cancers like osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and lymphoma in large breeds.
- Reduced Risk of Urinary Incontinence (Females): Waiting allows hormone balance to stabilize, decreasing chance of hormone-related urinary leakage later in life.
- Improved Metabolism: Dogs may have a steadier metabolism and be less prone to weight gain when allowed to mature before surgery.
Cons (Considerations When Delaying Surgery)
- Heat Cycles (Females):
- Females that go into heat will have vaginal bleeding for 2–4 weeks, typically twice a year.
- You’ll need to avoid contact with male dogs to prevent accidental breeding.
- Behavior and Hormone-Driven Traits (Males):
- Some males may display marking, humping, or roaming behaviors before neutering. Training and supervision are important.
- Slightly Higher Risk of Certain Reproductive Conditions:
- Females left intact longer have a small risk of pyometra (uterine infection) and mammary tumors if never spayed.
- Males have a risk of testicular tumors if never neutered (eliminated once surgery is done).
- Owner Compliance & Timing:
- Surgery must happen at 18 months — delaying too long can cause scheduling or behavior challenges.
Our Recommendation
For giant and extra-large breeds, the benefits of waiting generally outweigh the risks — especially when combined with a gastropexy to prevent bloat. If you have concerns about behavior or heat management in the meantime, talk with us — we can help create a plan to make it easier. Please call us at 319-277-7675 or email us at [email protected]. We would be happy to assist you.