Spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
You’ve consulted with Dr. Google revealed that you MUST spay or neuter your pet at six months of age. But you also discovered that you HAVE to spay or neuter a pet when it is 12 months old. Or you should refrain from spaying or neutering your pet because doing so will undoubtedly cause them to contract some awful, horrible disease, cause them to gain weight or develop urinary incontinence, and change their entire way of life.
Well, let me try to clarify a few things for you. The term “neutering” technically refers to the removal of the male and female reproductive systems. Castrating (removal of the testicles) is the term used for neutering males, while spaying (removal of the ovaries and, in most cases, the uterus) is used for neutering females. Although in the industry we almost always refer to castrating a male by the term “neutering,” Whatever you want to call it, there are many reasons to neuter our pets, but the best time to do so is currently up for discussion. Neutering a pet has both health advantages and population control implications. It is heartbreaking to see how many healthy, adoptable animals there are in animal shelters, and it is truly unbearable to think that many of them will be put down because there aren’t enough homes willing to take them in, or there isn’t enough room or money to keep them housed and fed while they wait. Spaying and neutering are regularly carried out on puppies and kittens in rescue and shelter environments, as well as on older pets in veterinary hospital settings, in order to prevent our pets from adding to this burden. Numerous medical studies have confirmed the benefits for one’s health. Women’s chances of developing ovarian or uterine cancer, breast cancer, and potentially fatal uterine infections are all completely eliminated. We reduce the risk of testicular tumors in men, the risk of enlarged prostate causing urinary issues, and the risk of weakened perineal muscles that could lead to the herniation of the intestines or even the urinary bladder. Reduced aggressive or dominant tendencies, elopement and marking behaviors may also result from neutering males. When most of our pets start to show signs of sexual maturity and, for some breeds, have their first heat (also known as “period”), the procedure was traditionally advised around 6 months of age. Some pet owners may find that having their animals spayed or neutered at this age saves them from having to deal with the behavioral changes and mess that come with a female in heat or an intact male who detects females in heat in his territory.
Younger men typically recover from surgery more quickly and experience quicker wound healing. Smaller/less developed reproductive organs are much easier to remove during surgery and there is typically less bleeding, which shortens the time spent under anesthesia. We also have the advantage of being able to remove any baby teeth that may still be present in your puppy’s mouth despite the fact that they should have fallen out by this point without having to perform a separate anesthetic procedure, which saves you money. Additionally, if a female is spayed prior to her first heat (less than 0 days), the risk of mammary (breast) cancer is significantly decreased. 1% chance of developing a tumor in her lifetime). Even though all of these factors are crucial, many veterinarians, including myself, still frequently choose this time period. However, there has recently been a change in opinion regarding the potential benefits of the hormones produced by the ovaries and testicles for growing dogs. The theory is that the longer we expose our growing pets to these hormones, the lower the risk they will experience chronic diseases like obesity, joint or orthopedic disease (including arthritis and injuries like cruciate/ACL tears as well as specific types of dysplasia), urinary incontinence, recurrent UTIs, and, of course, some types of cancer. Although the evidence for a direct connection between these conditions and early spay/neuter remains inconclusive, some of it is compelling. I now personally advise spaying and neutering large or giant breed dogs at 12 months, and I definitely go over the benefits and drawbacks of both procedures with my clients so they can decide for themselves. There is no right or wrong response, so it really just depends on personal preference. Additionally, be aware that some breeders will include recommendations or clauses in your purchase contract for spaying and neutering. The bottom line is that spaying or neutering is crucial because it will improve your pet’s health and prevent pet overpopulation. Make sure you’re reading the fine print. Bring up your concerns regarding neutering your pet at your next visit for a puppy or kitten. Given your pet’s age, breed, and gender, we’d be happy to discuss the risks and advantages for him or her. Remember, we also have cutting edge surgical methods like laser or laparoscopy that enable us to spay your pet without a large abdominal incision, resulting in less pain/discomfort and a much quicker recovery! Plus, if you’re into that sort of thing, you get some awesome pictures of your pet’s abdominal organs! Make an appointment right away to go over these options in greater detail.
If you have any questions that you’d like us to answer, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. Call us at (303) 688-3660, or send an email to [email protected]. com.
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The American public is not fond of dogs that still have their reproductive organs as evidenced by bans at doggie daycares and disapproval at dog parks. Most U.S. veterinarians recommend spaying and neutering dogs, which involves removing their ovaries or testicles. S. dogs. It’s estimated that 80 percent of U. S. Male and female dogs are spayed or neutered, and leaving your dog unaltered could lead people to label you as an irresponsible dog owner. In fact, prior to being rescued, many states mandate that all dogs that enter shelters be spayed or neutered, frequently when they are just a few months old.
However, a growing body of evidence indicates that neutering and spaying dogs, particularly puppies, may increase their risk of contracting some serious diseases.
Pets frequently give birth to their litters late at night or in a location of their choosing. Pets require privacy when giving birth, so any unwarranted intrusion can make the mother very upset. These intrusions may lead to the inability to care for the children, as well as harm to the owners or the animal.
At shelters across the nation, millions of unwanted dogs and cats are put to death (euthanized). Despite the fact that pet behavioral issues are the main causes of animals being donated to shelters, many orphans are the result of unintentional breeding by roaming, unaltered pets. Less dogs and cats will need to be put to death the more pets are spayed or neutered. Although Delaware Humane Association does not euthanize animals, hundreds of dogs and cats are turned away every year due to a lack of space in the shelter.
Early neutering of males results in less aggressive behavior toward other males and less distraction from females in heat. A neutered male will therefore be less likely to feel the need to leave your property and travel across that hazardous highway in search of a mate. Neutered males are also less likely to spray his urine inside the house and on all of your (or your neighbors’) expensive shrubs.
When raising purebred litters, even well-known breeders consider themselves fortunate if they break even. The majority of the “profit” goes toward the expense of raising such a litter, which includes stud fees, vaccinations and other medical expenses, as well as feeding high-quality food. ” Well-known breeders raise breeds that they like. Additionally, these breeders work to raise the bar for the breeds they produce.
Any change will be for the better. Following the procedure, your pet will behave better, be less aggressive toward other dogs or cats, and be less likely to stray. When pets are altered, the behavior known as spraying (or urine marking), which dogs and cats frequently use to mark their territory, decreases or stops.
Reasons to Consider All Options Before Spaying or Neutering a Puppy
Dr. With funding from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, Benjamin Hart of the University of California, Davis, has been studying the effects of spay-neuter for ten years. His initial study on the topic, which was released in 2013, found that Golden Retrievers who had undergone spaying or neutering were three to four times more likely to develop certain cancers, such as lymphosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma, as well as joint issues like hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament damage. Later, the team published data on German Shepherd Dogs and Labrador Retrievers, discovering that early spaying and neutering varied the likelihood that these dogs would experience joint problems, cancers, and urinary incontinence.
Now, Dr. After studying tens of thousands of dogs from 35 breeds, Hart and his team have completed a new round of retrospective research that focuses on early spaying and neutering, which is done before the dog reaches sexual maturity. They discovered that the procedure’s health effects varied greatly among breeds. It’s difficult to predict which animals will experience an increase in cancers or joint disorders with early spay-neutering, according to Dr. Hart told me. For instance, the researchers discovered that there was almost never a higher incidence of the examined joint issues and cancers in dogs under 20 kilos (about 45 pounds) when compared to intact dogs. All, that is, except for the Shih Tzu. The team found that early neutering of male Shih Tzus was linked to higher rates of some of the investigated cancers.
And the study discovered that the effect of early spay-neuter varies greatly across breeds and sexes in dogs that weigh more than 20 kilograms. For example, because the majority of small dogs didn’t have higher rates of the examined cancers and joint issues, Dr Hart hypothesized that Great Danes might experience them frequently at the other end of the spectrum. However, he discovered that early spaying and neutering had no impact on the gentle giants’ joint disorders. “That was completely unexpected,” Dr. Hart told me.
And the variability doesn’t end with breed and sex. Negative health effects from spay-neuter were frequently only observed in dogs that underwent early neutering, i e. before they reach sexual maturity. But this isn’t always the case. In contrast to intact and even early-spayed female Golden Retrievers, females spayed after 12 months of age were four times more likely to develop hemangiosarcoma. Hart’s 2013 publication.
FAQ
Do female dogs change after being spayed?
Within the first three weeks following spaying, a female dog should resume acting normally due to the prevention of abrupt hormonal changes. However, spaying does not change your dog’s personality. If those are her typical personality traits, she won’t become any less hyper or aggressive after having a spay.
What are the negative effects of spaying a dog?
In accordance with Zink, early spaying and neutering is associated with an increased risk of hemangiosarcoma, mast cell cancer, lymphoma, and bladder cancer, as well as a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, and urinary tract infection.
What are the disadvantages of spaying?
Spaying may cause weight gain. Some animals may put on weight as they age and/or get spayed. Just like with people, we need to either diet or exercise to lose weight. Reducing food intake or upping your pet’s activity level will help prevent weight gain.