Yes I had to with my husky Sitka. She broke through the screen door & was with a very large male. The vet recommended doing it right away because she was pregnant. She came through the surgery well,but it was he!! trying to keep her calm & quiet & it was for longer than normal because of the natural swelling from the heat on top of the surgical. She was on so many drugs she could barely move,every time we tried to cut back on them she would run & jump up on furniture. She ended up totally druugged & confined to the toy room which we emptied except for her bed & papers for 2 weeks. If its not absolutely necessary I would wait at least a month after the heat ends. My beagle Fragile is not spayed because of a back injury.She just finished her heat & both neutered males are a problem with her. If someone is not home,I alternate confining her or them. They don't go out together either. I did find rescue remedy in the water bowl helps. My chi Remy marks when she is in heat also & I shampoo the carpets & furniture weekly,& heavily after she is done.I also cover all the furniture & beds with towels or sheets to prevent stains.Pads don't work,one of them always manages to pull it off.If you use 1/2 shampoo & 1/2 out or natures miracle in the shampooer it works really well.