If you are one of the many Pet owners questioning what it means to spay, neuter or ‘fix’ your Pet, you are not alone. The Humane Society provides some helpful information about Pet spaying and neutering to dispel many myths that exist. We figured we’d help shed some light on the subject.
A Spay (ovariohysterectomy) is a surgery for female Pets and neuter (castration) refers to the surgery for male Pets. This type of surgery prevents Pets from reproducing offspring. In addition, Pets who have been spayed or neutered will no longer exhibit the behavior characteristics of fertile Pets, which can be difficult to control or live with. Since there are many Pets in shelters across the country, population control is critical in preventing more unwanted and homeless animals from being produced.
Pets that have been spayed or neutered tend to roam less, since hormonal instincts are not directing them to look for a mate. A Pet that is content to stay home instead of roaming is less likely to get into fights, that result in injuries and infections that are not healthy for the Pet or can be extensive and costly to treat.
Reproductive health issues occur in Pets, similar to those you hear about in people. Unneutered male dogs are at greater risk for developing an enlarged prostrate and there can be health issues associated with that condition.
Female Pets can develop tumors in breast tissue, which is more common in Pets that have gone through multiple cycles verses a Pet that was spayed, especially by 6 months of age. The female reproductive system in unsprayed females Pets is at risk of disease, including pyometra, a severe, potentially life-threatening infection that results in the uterus becoming filled with pus. Pyometra cannot develop in a spayed female if her uterus has already been removed.
- Avoiding health complications is a good reason to spay or neuter your Pet.
- Keeping your Pet happy in your family and home, instead of roaming and mating is another reason.
- No pregnancies, means you are not displacing other homeless or unwanted Pets in shelters, now or in the future.
For additional information on spaying or neutering your Pet or for any other health-related question contact or visit your Pet’s doctor. Helping Pets stay healthy and happy is what we want for our families.
While I believe in spaying and neutering mature pets, especially those in shelters or rescued, to keep the numbers of pet population down, people need to think for themselves instead of blindly following the brainwashed masses!
There are cons to spaying and neutering and I know of few veterinarians that will discuss this with a client. Some veterinarians are ignorant to information and refuse to educate themselves. They have been brainwashed.
There are groups that believe no animal should reproduce and want to take away the rights of owners or charge them large amounts of money and limit what they do with their dreams, plans, and pedigrees. In actuality, what should be done is massively decrease the puppy mills and educate the public as well as make available affordable veterinary care as well as affordable spaying and neutering.
Here are websites to get you started. Written by knowledgeable people including veterinarians.
http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200511...
http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200509...
http://www.littleriverlabs.com/neuter.ht...
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub...
The OFA has done a study on effects of young S/N on a dogs structure. You may find the article on their website.
This is not to say there are not benefits to S/N, but you have to weigh the positive against the negative.
Thank you, dogs thank you, and breeders thank you.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:25 pmDear Gina,
You sound like someone who may have more knowledge that the average Pet owner. I am not sure who you are referring to when you speak of brainwashing and “blindless masses†but please do not assume that veterinarians are not discussing both the pros and cons of spaying and neutering. That being said, most companion Pets are better off by being spayed and neutered. And, some unspayed and unneutered Pets who were never intended to breed will end up contributing to the Pet overpopulation problem. The blog posting was intended as a source of general information aimed more at those who many not have a relationship with a veterinarian who can educate them on this important aspect of ownership and healthcare. There is still widespread sentiment that a purebred dog should reproduce and that an indoor cat will never get pregnant (in heat cats acting purely on instinct often get out), neither of which is true. Pet owners who are interested in breeding their Pets need to have all the information necessary to make a good decision-and many times the best decision is not to breed. Thanks again.
Karen Johnson, DVM
October 30th, 2008 at 9:12 amI took away that Ms Garrison said ‘yes to spaying & neutering mature pets,’ strongly believes in neutering shelter and rescued animals, that the solution is education of the public and affordable neutering.
If you read the articles she posted, you got a better idea of where she stands.
She is saying ‘yes’ to the spay & neuter of mature pets that were not bred, trained, shown, and raised to produce a high quality dog that produces a certain type of desired characteristics and behavior.
I have to agree that vets, rescues, and humane societies don’t want to give a choice on spaying or neutering a pet. They practically demand it be done; state laws are passed to this effect.
What Ms Garrison is saying is encourage the education of veterinarians to discuss letting the dog mature so you don’t have the side effects or lack of bone & body maturity that could effect the dog.
I have veterinarians telling the people who buy my pets and show dogs it is GOOD to neuter at a early age. I am talking about even neutering a puppy at 3 to 6 months of age!
This reaffirms what I’ve noticed for some time…
Even a good number of veterinarians are unaware of what the veterinary medical literature has to say about spay/neuter health impacts.
Therefore, I have it in my PET CONTRACT and SHOW CONTRACT they cannot neuter early and then I educate them as to why.
I also give them research evidence and articles to give to their veterinarian. Their vet should know these people are responsible pet owners and know how to take precautions once the puppy comes into her first and probably only heat cycle. I do not sell to people without references, including a veterinarian reference unless they do not have one at that time.
I understand that each veterinarian has their own *opinion based on their education and experience. This is also true of vaccinations.
A veterinarian should be able to discuss BOTH pro and con of neutering. I am having negative feed back right now from my puppy owners. Do I need to call their veterinarian?
But when I tell someone “NO” and explain why, I expect my contract to be followed.
My contract is a legal contract.
You see, here is information:
http://www.spayusa.org/media/pdfs/prepubal_neutering.pdf
states 8 to 16 weeks is ideal.
These articles are back in 1987 1990.
In other words, old.
So compare:
http://www.spayusa.org/media/pdfs/javma_early_neuter_dogs02.pdf
This is in 2002.
and compare this very informative article by a veterinarian who is a DVM, PhD and DACVP :
http://www.caninesports.com/EarlySpayConsiderations.pdf
This is in 2005.
Here is an excellent article on a compilation of information:
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf
There are many Reference sites at the end. Just an excellent source of info.
This is by: Laura J. Sanborn, M.S.
May 14, 2007
I hope you personally know NOT to neuter or spay a Dalmatian early.
In Dalmatians, especially the males, without normal hormones and growth,
the urethra/ureter does not enlarge enough to clear the kidneys/bladder of
the smaller stones and the particles that precipitate stones.
Other breeds that form bladder stone formed of different materials than the
Dalmatian, can also have this problem.
In Dalmatians, early neuter/spay is considered a ‘no-no.’ If you are encouraging a Dalmatian owner to neuter a dog or b…h early, then you are wrongly educating them.
There will be no arguing with me about Dalmatians. The evidence is overwhelming. Yet, I still have puppy owners calling me telling me that THEIR VET disagreed with me! I asked them to ask their vet if they read the articles I sent.
Many times, ‘no.’
Some Dalmatian rescuers are aware, some are not. They all require neutering. However, even this Dal rescue group presents a page with IMPERATIVE information about Dalmatians and maturity before neutering.
http://www.savethedals.org/earlyneuter.htm
I don’t know where the research article is, but it has excellent x-rays of immature and mature Dals with stones or ’sludge’ present in the bladder.
To me, this is just as important as having a puppy BAER hearing tested. I elect NOT to bred a unilateral hearing Dalmatian, no matter if it is #1 in the USA. Knowing if a dog is unilateral can be important in obedience & other performance events.
There are other breeds that have problems with early neutering or neutering at all. The Rottweiler, for one.
While you may want to present ‘general’ information, how many times in your practice do you give out educational information on the pros & cons to the puppy owner and tell them you will discuss their questions the next time the pup comes in for vaccinations? Then at that time do you let THEM or their breeder have the final say regarding the age of neutering WITHOUT PRESSURE?
If you DO this, I would say that you are a rare jewel in the animal health world.
I understood Ms. Garrison to be ‘pro’ neutering but that it should be a property right as a dog owner and the age the pet should be a very important consideration. I agree that veterinarians do not take the time or give out information regarding the cons of immaturity.
I know the number of veterinarians that neglect ‘pro and con education’ because I have been a breeder of several different breeds in the past 34 years. I end up in ‘battles’ with the lack of education.
I have never produced more than 3 litters in a year, and there are years when I have had none. The dogs I have produced have been Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show, Group placing, #1 in the USA, Top 20 in the USA, Top 10 Obedience and Agility winners, Tracking Dogs, Schutzhund Dogs, and several are either Guide Dogs or Service Dogs as well as Therapy Dogs.
My biggest brag is that I am an active breed and mutt rescuer who very much supports required neutering of homeless pets at a mature age, and AFFORDABLE neutering.
In conclusion, I think you misunderstood Ms. Garrison.
I sincerely hope you do not neuter a Dalmatian before it hits 14 months of age.
I hope you educate and influence other veterinarians since you have such access to many.
Yes, I have a higher education degree as does my husband.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:23 pmWhere does one find “affordable” spay/neutering care for our oets that can’t afford the high prices. but are kind enough to take a stry and give it a home!
February 15th, 2010 at 2:37 pmIt is a very good decision to spay/neuter Pet’s that are rescued. To check spay/neuter prices contact your local veterinary hospitals to ask the price ranges for spay/neuter for either a cat or dog. Minor or major health conditions can increase the cost of the surgery or even delay the surgery until the Pet is well enough for this procedure. Taking your Pet in for an examination and estimate helps determine that all is normal with your Pet’s health or there are some health issues and the veterinarian can get you an estimate of fees prior to having the surgery started.
February 15th, 2010 at 5:02 pm