First Heat

I love this pic, her personality shines through

Well, Thomas and I had discussed it, and decided that we are going to get Sonata spayed when she is around a year old.  We wanted to get her spayed before she went into her first heat.  She beat us.  Yesterday, she started spotting.  Today, she has been pacing.  The poor girl wants to find her first boyfriend, and instead has to make do with lots of Kongs filled with peanut butter.  For the next two weeks she is not going to be allowed out of our sight.  Good thing she isn't in class after all!

When the time comes we really want to get the lycroscopic spay done for Sonata.  It is less invasive, and will allow her to heal more quickly.  The problem that arises though is whether or not to get her an OVH spay or an OVE.  The OVH spay is the full removal of the uterus, a hysterectomy.  The OVE involves only the removal of the ovaries.  There is a raging debate going on right now in vet clinics across the US on which technique is better for the future of the dog.  Both have me a little confused.  Having read one article I would think that the OVE is the better procedure.  On the other hand, I spoke to a surgeon who said that the dogs can still get infections later on in life if the uterus is not fully removed.  The camps have formed, now I just have to decide which one I want to join.  Well, I have a few more months where I can research the problem.  I am not to worried if she goes into heat a few time.  I would like to catch her before she has a third heat though.  So that gives me a comfortable six months to do my research.