Molly is coming into heat for the first time. I was wondering if anyone has a guideline for how long after the first heat to spay. Gotta do some financial planning for the next few months.

I usually just wait til the heat is over and all swelling has gone down so about 3ish weeks. Really, there will be no hurry as you have time before her next heat.

Just remember to keep a close eye on her and keep her locked up when you can't keep an eye on her.

I'm not sure the going rate in your area for spays. Here if I have it done through a really really nice shelter it's a flat $55 for any size dog or if I deal with a vet it's between 110 - 250 depending on the dog size and any complications. But really I've been so impressed at the great job this shelter does with using smart cutting and laser to eliminate pain and a need for painkilers I'll likely continue to use them for this service.

How old is your dog? I wouldn't do it until she had at least two cycles. I would wait as long as you could. I don't like takng parts out before a dog is full grown. Interesting studies as to the long term effects when spayed at a young age. Your vet probably has a different opinion.

A partial spay/hysterectomy would be a healthy alternative to a spay. http://www.belfield.com/pdfs/Partial_Spay.pdf
Make sure that the surgery is between heat cycles when there is no swelling visible.

Molly is about a year old. I don't know for sure because she was dumped by someone. A lady who fosters dogs said she was about four months old when I first found her.

No problem keeping a close eye on her. She spends 90% of her time on top of my feet when I'm in the same room with her. Right now I'm in the computer room and she is parked right against the door. We also live in the country and don't have many unaltered male dogs around. Closest neighbor is about a quarter mile away and the only male dog they have is a neutered 14 year old.

I'll check with the local shelter but I'm not too sure about them. They aren't a high budget department around here. They mostly act as pet police picking up problem dogs and telling the owners to keep their dogs confined. I have two choices of vets. One owns his practice and isn't being pressured for profits. The other is owned by a corporation and caters to the pampered pets. Their prices are astronomical. I took a feral cat with a prolapsed rectum there and it cost over $300. The cat died anyway and I got it back in a little cardboard coffin.

Thanks for the link Debbie. I'll print that out and show it to the vet.

I know you have got great advice.
I chose to fixed phoenix after her 3rd heat.

I had many strays sitting at my door but I made it.
I knew she was fully done growing and her growth plates wear solid.

Its completly up to you but I would wait tell after that.

I agree that waiting is best.