Spaying

Good question. I don't have the answer, though. I am "bumping" your post and will be watching for someone to give you the information.

Never a cat, but I work in dog rescue so I'm taking someone to get fixed at least once a month.

Vets prefer to spay when not in heat because everything is swollen while they are in heat, and there is a higher chance of blood loss. So if you can keep her safely inside away from any male cats...they would like you to wait until after they are out of heat (about a month).

That being said, we have had several dogs in heat spayed (usually just as they were starting before we knew they were in heat) and haven't had any problems. Usually they are more sore and seem more in pain after the spay.