HELP! sophie pregnant?

[mrose_s]

ahh disaster. sophie is on heat. probaby her last day. we have been juggling her and harry around so carefully, last time she was on het bought a sliding door off its hinges getting to her. today we find them down the back together, slobber all over her neck and back. he's only 12 months old so i'm hoping like hell he doesn't know how to do it properly.

but when we found them he was suddenly not so desperate to get to her, whereas all morning he's been begging to be let out. my guess is he pulled the door open, he's never doen that before. he's starting to want to ger to her again now.

i hope he didn't get her. the injection we got her last time relaly knocked her around and i don't knwo if we can afford it again. i don't need a lecture on why you should desex your dogs, i need the signs she might be showing if he actually got her.

[RedyreRottweilers]

You can not tell at this point.

Why not spay her?

[mrose_s]

its not nice to have control over cutting pieces out of your dog. we'd rather not. plus she handles her weight well. she eats a lot but she is very arthritic so its hard to get her enough excercise.

[Zoom]

It's also not nice to bring a litter into this world without a ton of forethought. Go get one of them fixed, probably Harry since he's younger. And cross your fingers that he didn't "get her" because if she's old enough to be pretty arthritic, then she's too old to safely have a litter.

[Melissa_W]

I really hope she's not. If she is, you really should have her spayed. If she isn't, you really must find a way to keep them properly separated. I understand it's hard. We found a stray female in heat, and Kai isn't neutered yet. But it's extremely important to be diligent... It only takes one time!

[RD]

It's also not nice to bring a litter into this world without a ton of forethought. Go get one of them fixed, probably Harry since he's younger. And cross your fingers that he didn't "get her" because if she's old enough to be pretty arthritic, then she's too old to safely have a litter.
Agreed. I'd get the shot for Sophie and neuter Harry so this doesn't happen again.

I don't have a problem with leaving dogs intact but it requires a ton of diligence to have intact dogs of the opposite sex in the same household. Accidents are just not an option. I know you don't want a lecture so I'll keep it short, I just can't keep my mouth shut when this is something that has happened before and you still have done nothing about it.

[bubbatd]

All my dogs were intact .... you just need to be aware !! A breeding usually takes at least 20 minutes from interest through the tie . Surely someone in the family saw that they were together .! PLEASE ... if you can't be guardians over your animals , remove the puppy causing organs !

[mrose_s]

i know. our last house made it pretty simple. we had a yard that had good fences that we could move them btween the backyear, garage, front yard, side yard, pool yard and house. everything was easily to seperate them. here we have one big yard. thats all. this whole situation is a disaster. we wont neuter harry, he'll just turn into a fat old man. its so hard to keep the weight off him even now.

i guess we'll just have to find the money somewhere

[Zoom]

It's not hard to keep weight off of a neutered dog. My dog was neutered a week before I got him, so I know exactly what he weighed pre-neuter and I know what he weighs now (2 years later) and he's gained all of a pound. And that's winter chub because I wasn't so keen on walking around the dog park in 20 degrees. All you have to do is maybe cut back on his food and exercise him.

[mrose_s]

I know you don't want a lecture so I'll keep it short, I just can't keep my mouth shut when this is something that has happened before and you still have done nothing about it.

and i'll say again, like i have many times. these arn't my dogs. my dog buster is desexed. my mums dogs arn't my decision. we've had her 9 years. and we've had intact males in the house a lot of the time. its not like we arn't careful. but this whole house is just a mess

[mrose_s]

I know you don't want a lecture so I'll keep it short, I just can't keep my mouth shut when this is something that has happened before and you still have done nothing about it.

and i'll say again, like i have many times. these arn't my dogs. my dog buster is desexed. my mums dogs arn't my decision. we've had her 9 years. and we've had intact males in the house a lot of the time. its not like we arn't careful. but this whole house is just a mess. i couldn't have planned it worse if i tried

[showpug]

I'll tell you what is more cruel then spaying your dog, letting her suffer a case of life threatening pyometra. With pyo, it's not if your intact bitch will get it, it's when.

So unfortunate.

[Herschel]

1) Convince your family to spay/neuter. For your situation, it is inhumane to leave both of them intact.

2) Feed less if you're worried about weight gain. Do you free feed?

[RD]

Ok I can understand them being your mom's dogs. My dad doesn't want me to neuter "his" dog either.

I wouldn't be too concerned about him getting fat. If he gains weight, feed less. Dogs don't get fat because they're neutered, they get fat because people overfeed them.

[Red_ACD_for_me]

Don't you EDUCATE your family?!?!?! Let them come on Chaz and read some of the stickies *ugh* WHY are you going to own multiple MUTTS in one house that aren't fixed?! It is just plain stupid and you are asking for trouble! Mrose, you always use the excuse that these aren't your dogs and they belong to your other family members you live with. How do they expect this NOT to happen? You have said that Buster is neutered, well why can't they all see that neutering does not make them less a dog........................

[mrose_s]

ahh. i knew this would happen. i don't knwo why i even bother coming and asking for help sometimes.

my mum KNOWS okay. we talkabout it all the time. i've told her the dangers.

buster was ment to have a vesectomy, we went back to the vet in the afternoon and whoops! they'd stuffed up the operation, he was neutered.
we know it doesn't make them any less of a dog, we're not about owning "macho" animals.

i came asking for any behaviour either of them may be showing if he had got to her. if you can't help me then fine. don't post stuff ridiculing me for stuff that is out of my control and that i understand.
i know why you are concerend. we'll just have to find the money for the injections. and i'll try to get mum to consider a vesectomy. but really, you think i don't understand this situation?

and as for amounts of food, sophie and harry and buster get about the same amount because harry and buster are more active eventhough sophie is biggest. we just feed mac until she stops eating, she has massive amounts of energy so she'll burn it all off and she's a bit skiny at the moment because the boys steal her food so we feed her indoors now. they all get fed in their own bowls and their own amount, bsophie always finishes first, harry and buster won't let anyone steal from their bowls and they arn't allowed back in till mac is finished.

[Rubylove]

I know you know all the right reasons for neutering. It's hard when you can't fund it yourself and your Mum may not want to hear what you're saying.

It will cost you a lot less to have your male dog neutered than to find money for the injection. Also, it won't make him fat. Neutering does not make dogs fat. I have a neutered male and he is in prime condition - we never even have to be careful of his diet. I know at least 100 male dogs who are neutered who are not overweight.

The most common causes of overweight dogs are overfeeding and lack of exercise.

It would be much easier for you to regulate the amount of food they eat and feed each one according to it's needs than it would be to keep your dogs apart when they are intact, and then find money for an injection just in case one is pregnant.

You have your reasons for keeping them intact and I respect that, it's up to the dog owner, but to be responsible - and in your case, to make your lives SO much easier! - you should at least ensure that the only intact dogs you have in your house are the same sex, or that only one dog is intact. If your Mum won't do it for them, she might consider doing it for herself - life will be a lot easier for her! :)

[mamasobuco]

i know. our last house made it pretty simple. we had a yard that had good fences that we could move them btween the backyear, garage, front yard, side yard, pool yard and house. everything was easily to seperate them. here we have one big yard. thats all. this whole situation is a disaster. we wont neuter harry, he'll just turn into a fat old man. its so hard to keep the weight off him even now.

Is this obesity issue some kind of breed specific problem because I've never heard that excuse to not to fix a dog? Not to be insulting but I'm also a little confused about how your mom would rather deal with a dog with cancer than a dog that is fat.

[mrose_s]

she has had dogs all her life. very few have been neutered. i'm pretty sure that if pyro struck down every intact bitch she would definetley know about it by now.

the truth is, we don't see it as our right to cut peices out of our dogs. and despite what people say, YES, some dogs DO know if you spay/neuter them, they know something is gone. i guess its ust a case of whether or not they miss it. he is ment to be bc/cattle dog. but he looks like a shorter lab, cattle dog colour with a border collie expressions and tail.

i think we'll probably get him a vesectomy, then we don't have to worry. i'm gonna push for that.

[RedyreRottweilers]

If you don't want advice, then don't ask for it. You clearly are unable to keep intact dogs separated.

Good luck with your litter.

[FoxyWench]

they Miss it?
they gain weight after spay/neuter?
these are excuses!

i FREE FEED and have a neutered cocker NOT overweight, ideal condition and he helps himself to his food, he was neutered at 6 months.
i free feed and have a neutered chi, NOT overweight, infact slightly underweight and he helps himself to his food he was neutered older.
my adult female chi was spayed via emergency c-section at 2 yrs, shes free fed too and guess what? NOT OVER WEIGHT!

please dont use weight gain as an excuse.
all a spay/neuter does is possibly lower the energy level, a neutered/spayed dog that gains weight is gaining weight because their humans have failed to adjust the diet according to the dogs energy level.

you dont want to cut peices out of your dog? so what you gonna do if they get cancer?
the shot does more crazyness to a females system then a spay and the spays probably cheaper and once.

as for sighns at this point its way too early to tell, essentially when the female is far enough along to tell shes pregnant you have little choice other than to either have the litter or abort via surgery and spay.

so for you its either the shot or spay cause if shes arthritic she shouldnt be having a litter. if your worried a spay might be too invasive neuter the male instead, its less invasive and hell be back to himself in 2 days!

[bubbatd]

Keep us posted !!

[Emmalee]

I don't understand why this girl is being raked across the coals if she can't help her dog's situation. Didn't she mention those were not her dog's but her parents? Shouldn't her parents be the ones being raked across the coals?

I can understand not having enough money for a neuter but aren't neuters at a reasonable price? I do hope you have healthy puppies. Maybe you can build a divider fence in your back yard to separate the two when in heat?

[tinies12]

Fixing the dogs should not cost that much. We had Sasha fixed for $225.00 and the Rotties are getting done this week, since there's three the vet is giving me a discount. Total cost $600.00 for 3 dogs. Just curious why you'd let the dogs go through this?

[Melissa_W]

I don't understand why this girl is being raked across the coals if she can't help her dog's situation. Didn't she mention those were not her dog's but her parents? Shouldn't her parents be the ones being raked across the coals?

I can understand not having enough money for a neuter but aren't neuters at a reasonable price? I do hope you have healthy puppies. Maybe you can build a divider fence in your back yard to separate the two when in heat?

I think everyone just feels this is a disaster that could have been prevented. :(

[Emmalee]

MelissaW, I agree :(

[Brattina88]

I'm very concerned for you and the dogs... If you are worried about getting money for the shot, then how can you possibly have enough money to bring puppies into the world :confused:

I wish you the best of luck, let us know how it turns out.

[GipsyQueen]

i don't need a lecture on why you should desex your dogs, i need the signs she might be showing if he actually got her.

So how many have lectured? How many have given advice?

Anyways, Our dog isn't spayed either, but that's besides the point.
If she is pregnant you should give her the shot, because; 1) because of her age/condition 2) it would be an oops liter, and it'll cost more than the shot.
If you keep a close watch on your dog it shouldn't get pregnant. If Sophie isn't pregnant then (and even if she is) the maybe you should get a separate area in your yard fenced in so this wont happen in the future.
Anyways, best of luck with Sophie! I can't give you any advice on the early sighs though, sorry.

[bubbatd]

I do wish that people would realize that the cost of a litter ends up costing as much as a spay or neuter . If there's a C section involved , it's twice as much .

[MafiaPrincess]

Isn't the mismate shot required super early after mating though? Not when she might be showing... Therefore you'd have to do it now, not later?

[smkie]

If a female dog is not fixed, she will go to extroidinary lengths to find a mate. AT the same time males will pick up that scent from miles away. THey too will go to extreme measures to get out. THat puts everyone at risk right there before they even get together. The most obedient dog will change, well all know what our own harmones do to us. THere are plenty of reduced cost programs in every major city. THe cost of having a litter is a hundred times higher, vet care for the mother, extra food for the mother, whelping box, vet care if there is any problems, puppy food, puppy shots, and STILL you have to spay mom if you don't want to go through this again. WE won't even get started on time, the time to clean, prepare, socialize, find homes. IT is a mountain of work. THen comes the final stage, finding homes for most likely a mixed breed while tens of thouands of dogs die around the world daily for lack of what these new babies are in need of. Spay your dog...spay your neighbors dog..shoot spay the neighbors too. Until we have the problem under control there are no other answers. TIs hard on mom too. I hope you can find a way to get through this, and if you do not have an emergency spay you will follow through with each step those puppies will need then i hope and pray you run the mama all the way to the vet to prevent this from ever happening again.

[Spirit2010]

I am just saying, Sugar was spayed, and not overweight, although I only had her for a year, she wasn't overweight at all. But, good luck, I don't have much advice on signs, because when Isis, had her pups, we didn't even know she was pregnant!!

[happyhound]

i think we'll probably get him a vesectomy, then we don't have to worry. i'm gonna push for that.

I know in humans that a vasectomy is not a 100% guarantee that no one will get pregnant. Not sure if this applies to dogs, though.

[Sapphire-Light]

If your parents don't agree to "fix" them, maybe you can try whit a panty for dog for her?

But I'm not shure if this panty could help.

[Jynx]

I would say two months of internet service would probably cover the cost of a neuter/spay.


Sorry, but I see the OP as saying, NOPE we won't cut parts out of our dogs, NOPE they'll get fat and lazy,,but then when someone starts pushing that issue, it's "not my fault that my mom won't cover it".

It is really really sad that dogs are the ones who will suffer in the end.
diane

[MafiaPrincess]

If you are going to go to the trouble and expense of a vasectomy.. A neuter has better health results.

But Jynx has a good point. Everyone else is evil for cutting parts out of their dogs.. But it's not the OP's fault cause the dogs aren't hers.

Sorry.. you can't have it both ways. If you post to have people tell you it's no big deal no worries.. I'd have thought you'd have learned long before now that when you post, people reply with opinions. Don't want advice or opinions.. don't post.

[Love That Collie]

I have never had an overweight spayed or neutered dog and have had many, many dogs throughout my life. And believe me none were breeds classified as high energy dogs, most were even what you might call "couch potatoes" at times.

I see the OP is from Australia, I don't know if they have different outlooks on things such as this there than say the United States? You say you or "mum" doesn't want to have control over cutting anything out of the dog? The dog doesn't know what is good or bad for it in that respect, it's up to the human owner to know best. But if your "mum" thinks it best then it's her opinion. It must be a big pain keeping them separated during the estrus cycle all these years and wondering IF anyone impregnated the female.

Frankly, I know people who have had dogs all of THEIR lives also but are not such good owners. Shoot! I know people who should never have had children either so I guess there's no changing some peoples minds. It would be cruel to let this elderly female have puppies, much more cruel than having her spayed.

[colliewog]

Eeek, this is a tough one! The timeframe for the mismate shot is typically 72hrs, so hopefully you have decided to get her in and get that done if you were going to do so.

[mrose_s]

If you are going to go to the trouble and expense of a vasectomy.. A neuter has better health results.

But Jynx has a good point. Everyone else is evil for cutting parts out of their dogs.. But it's not the OP's fault cause the dogs aren't hers.

Sorry.. you can't have it both ways. If you post to have people tell you it's no big deal no worries.. I'd have thought you'd have learned long before now that when you post, people reply with opinions. Don't want advice or opinions.. don't post.

ahh. okay. i few points.

right now, we are living off 3 nealry maxed out credit cards, paying mortgage, rent, car payments, their tick stuff for 4 dogs and a cat every 2 weeks, school fee's, food etc. $225 isn't an option right now. we just don't have it spare. we will in a couple of months but not right now.

i NEVER said everyone is evil for cutting bits out of their dogs, stop twisitng my words. i actually own a dog who is desexed, 5 years old and NOT overweight. i understand that neutered doesn't mean overweight, but it depends on the dog and with harry, yes its a concern.

i didn't post to have people say "no big deal" i KNOW its a big deal. and i did come looking for advice, if you had gone to the trouble of ACTUALLy readign my initial post you would know that. i really don't need to be flamed here. i'm not stupid.

but seriously what the hell am i ment to do? run off with the dogs and somehow pay for them to get desexed? their not mine. mum is considering getting sophie spayed as of this heat. but its her decision. why doesn't anyone understand that?

[mrose_s]

Eeek, this is a tough one! The timeframe for the mismate shot is typically 72hrs, so hopefully you have decided to get her in and get that done if you were going to do so.

the time frame is 45days. but we wouldn't wait that long

[Laurelin]

Just a general question- How expensive is a mismate shot?

[bubbatd]

Yes , we who are on a very strict budget understand . That's why I only have one dog . Not that you should give up what you own ....just watch so you aren't put into a case of more costs ..... having a litter . As to the shot ... I have no idea of the cost . It wasn't availavle in my day and I had to pay for an abortion which killed me emotionally . If you have a dog in heat , don't trust sitters !!!

[FoxyWench]

45 days for the mismate shot?! you sure? ive heard you have 72 hours, unless this is a different shot?!

[~Jessie~]

Also, I am just curious... you cannot afford to spend $225 for a neuter, but you can afford to raise a litter of puppies?

Even the bare minimum of litter costs (along with missed wages at work)greatly exceeds $225...

Not to mention the effort of finding good, permanent homes for these pups...

[mrose_s]

the litter wouldnt be for a while. we'll be alright in a couple of months. its just now.


good news though.
mum is trying to book harry in to have him desexed tomorow. its just distressing watching him.
sophie has only been in heat twice since we got him and the first time he was young so he didn't really get it. now he is barking, distressed, can't focus. we feel bad for him. i'll take your advice and we'll just have to watch his food intake. i'm glad.

[mrose_s]

Just a general question- How expensive is a mismate shot?

about $330 AUD

[IliamnasQuest]

There must be some miscommunication of information here, because some of this isn't making sense. The "mismate" shot, given to stop a potential pregnancy in dogs, is basically estrogen and it must be given within a short time (72 hours max) for it to be effective. The prices for this - in the U.S. - are roughly $50-75 including an office call cost.

I'm sure that there are other ways to create an abortion/miscarriage later on, but the risks are high that you will hurt the bitch or even cause death. Why in the world would you want to wait? While the mismate shot does carry risk too (including increased likelihood of pyometria in future heat cycles, I believe), it is less risky than letting the puppies develop and then creating an abortive situation.

I'm also not sure on the age of the bitch. Somehow I have the impression that she's nine (I could be wrong on that though .. ). Letting a nine year old bitch have pups is dangerous especially if she isn't used to having pups. Now, there's a possibility she isn't pregnant, of course ... but there's no way of knowing until the pups are developed for enough for ultrasound or palpation. And, of course, checking for pregnancy will require a vet exam and the subsequent cost.

While I acknowledge that the OP says that she has no control over these dogs, she still can take information to her Mom if that's the situation. And the reality is that there are a LOT of reasons not to have these puppies and a LOT of reasons to spay/neuter, and very few good reasons to not neuter and to allow this arthritic bitch to have pups. Not only does neutering often help a dog live a longer, healthier and less stressed life but it prevents this problem of accidental breedings from happening. It takes very organized, very responsible handling to keep dogs from breeding when there's a female in heat. And when you have an older bitch and especially one that already has health problems (such as arthritis) you are resigning her to an uncomfortable and life-threatening time if she becomes pregnant. And with each heat cycle the likelihood (and probability) of pyometria increases. Pyo is VERY nasty and VERY dangerous - one of my chows ended up with pyometria at six years old and was extremely sick. I could have easily lost her. And why was she still intact? Well, I had shown her for awhile and considered breeding her at one point .. and when I decided against breeding her, I just put off having her spayed because she was easy to maintain. I won't do that again. It would have been 100% MY fault if she'd died. And, of course, the pyometria/spay surgery cost 5X what a normal spay would have cost.

Having Harry desexed right now won't change what he's going through at this point. He will still have the hormones that are causing him to be upset and excited - it will take a good month or so for those hormones to diminish enough to notice a difference. He will wake up, smell the bitch, and now be upset and excited AND in physical discomfort from the neutering. You would be far better off spending that money in getting the bitch taken care of so that she doesn't have to go through a possible pregnancy and the risks involved at this point. And then you can neuter the male in a couple of months when you will be "alright" with money.

By the way .. I have had many neutered dogs and I've never found it a problem to keep them in proper weight. All but one of my current girls are spayed and I've had neutered males in the past too. There have been NO problems from neutering any of my animals and a number of advantages (both physical and behavioral). The way I look at it is that when we humans accept the responsibility of taking an animal into our lives, then we are responsible for everything that happens to that animal for the entire life of the dog/cat/etc. And part of that responsibility is understanding and accepting that there are times we should choose to have things done to our animal in order to maintain physical and mental health and that often includes spay or castration. These are not aimed toward maiming or "cutting into" our animals .. they're a means of providing a better life for our pets. And that's a good thing.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

[mrose_s]

sophie wil be off heat in the next couple of days. he's booked in on friday.
we're still a bit off about putting sophie through any operation though

[Rubylove]

To the person who asked about things in Australia, I can answer that (at least from my part of Australia). Here, neutering seems to be pretty much the norm - I am generally surprised when I come across an un-neutered dog or cat. But again, it would depend on where you're from. People from more rural areas tend not to neuter as much, but it's still more usually the norm. In fact, growing up, I never heard of anyone anywhere NOT neutering - it was as routine a part of owning a pet as buying them a bowl to eat from. Still is, in lots of parts. It's really just considered to be the done thing if you have a pet.

Also, in Australia, many councils have rebate programmes for spay and neuter. My two dogs (one bitch, one male) were both neutered for $55 each, as part of our town council's spay and neuter rebate programme. They were booked in at a fantastic vet, it was done at six months, and it cost me $110 for both dogs.

Also, this not only encourages people to have it done, they cannot qualify for the rebate unless their dogs are registered with the council. Two birds with one responsibility stone. It's fantastic. Of course, it's illegal not to register your dogs but lots of people don't do it anyway. So it's a great incentive.

[Red_ACD_for_me]

sophie wil be off heat in the next couple of days. he's booked in on friday.
we're still a bit off about putting sophie through any operation though
Well, if your mum really is going to get him desexed I think that is great for all of you and Harry will be much, much, happier! Keep us updated on the progress!

[Maxy24]

I'm so glad you are getting him desexed! This way he will be able to calm down and focus and there is no more worries of your girl getting pregnant if she isn't yet. I know any surgery is scary for you but the risks are minimal. Wishing Harry a simple surgery and quick recovery.

[SisMorphine]

I've learned a bit in this thread.
A) People actually get vasectomies for their dogs? I remember one guy calling up and asking about that and the vet laughed in his face. I have never heard of it being done. Seems foolish to me. If you want him still to have balls then buy him some Neuticles.

B) The mismate shot. I never knew that one existed, I'm assuming it's like the morning after pill for humans? Does anyone have any links on this, I'd be interested to read up on it.



And I know these are your mother's dogs, but there are far more benefits to spaying the female as opposed to neutering the male. Healthwise it is far more dangerous to keep a female dog unaltered, especially at her age. I'm glad she decided to alter one, but you may want to talk to her about why altering the female is a better idea since the budget is tight right now. And it sounds like there are programs in Australia where you can get a discounted spay or neuter, so I would take advantage of that.

[mrose_s]

i know there was a programme in our last town. maily because there were so many stray dogs. and i mean a lot. about 10-15 in my area and about 4-5 that lived in the middle of town. you got to know which ones were friendly and i actually made friends with a few of the ones a block from my house. they'd see me walking home at night and walk me through the apartment blocks where they lived. but they were all uneautered and a lot of litters popped up around. usually the pups went to other owners in my street. there was parvo around and they usually didn't get their shots so a lot died, got hit by cars or went on to have more litters. just sad.

anyway! we decided after watching harry these last couple of days we can't keep putting him through it. he has just whined and barked non-stop today. he's really distressed and can't eat properly. we're not gonna keep putting him through it.

[Rubylove]

Well that's fantastic and I'm so pleased that you have made this decision.

You may also want to let your Mum know that if you are concerned about the dog's wellbeing and sense of peace and contentment that a bitch spay is the way to go for your female as well.

Bitches can endure much pain and discomfort associated with their heat cycle, same as women with their periods, and to have that urge and desire every time they go into heat, and to be continually frustrated, probably in pain and definitely in discomfort, to have hormones surging and to be mentally unstable and unhappy is not kind to your female either.

Sure, it might be surgery, but it's still a kinder thing to do, even aside from all the other benefits.

[RedyreRottweilers]

If there is danger of this bitch being in whelp, I don't understand why one would not spay her NOW instead of altering the dog.

[tinies12]

Your in a rock in a hard place I see! I know when I was young and mom said no it was no! All I can say is I pray nothing goes wrong for anyone! Most and formost the female!

[FoxyWench]

personally id keep the male intact for now and get the female spayed imediatly (that way if she is pregnant you wont have to worry about the poor girl suffering through labour and birth in her condition)
when you think of the cost of the shot its not much more to just have her spayed instead of the shot. there are ALOT of lowcost spay/neuter clinics in many areas, see if theres one neer you, your vet or local pet/feed supplies might know or a quick search for "low cost spay/neuter" and add your town name or postal code ect.

once shes spayed and happy and recovering your male will relax a little and it gives you a little time to save up some money to get the male neutered.
it would be much safer to spay her and make sure she isnt (and wont) get pregnant and probably cheaper to just do it that way.

im glad youve managed to talk your mum into getting them fixed, itll be MUCH easier on not only you guys but your dogs.

[mrose_s]

i see your point but at this stage it makes more sebse to desex harry on account of my sister having an intact bitch as well.

[FoxyWench]

then yes definatly get him fixed and get the shot asap for the possibly pregnant female.
id still look into low cost to see if you can get the female (and with some luck your sisters girl too) fixed for a more doable price.

the females realy do go through hell during their heat too, its like us girls...personally im MUCH happier since i was "spayed" (i had a partial hysterectomy and am on the deppo shot) and i can only imagine a dog feeling the exact same way, no more pain or mood swings.

[Lizmo]

I just trying to get some info here....So, you have two intact bitches and one intact male?

If it were me, I would put off the neuter and spay both your bitches. IMO.

But I am glad your mom is at least listening about neutering one dog. I'm sorry your dogs are having to go through this.

By the way, all of my dogs and parent's dogs have been neutered with not one being over-weight.

[~Jessie~]

All of my dogs are neutered... and we have actually always had problems keeping weight on Madison! He is 2 years old now, and was neutered at the age of 6 months... he has always been on the skinny side, and is finally filling out now. He has not gained any weight (except on his last puppy growth spurt). They are all just as active as they were as puppies (trust me, it takes sooo much to wear these pups out!) and the oldest is 2 and the youngest is 1.

[Momof2Pups]

^^ I agree. Altering should not make a dog overweight. My dogs are spayed and they did not gain weight after desexing. It's up to you and control of their food and exercise.
I don't buy the excuse of when someone says they don't want to alter because their dog will gain weight.

[~Jessie~]

Even if dogs did gain weight and become lazy after being neutered, it is still a much better alternative than bringing more "oops" puppies into the world, your bitch getting pyometra, your dog getting testicular cancer, sexual frustrations and the instict to mate, etc, etc.

Pyometra is a scary, scary thing. A few weeks ago we were picking Heartgard up from our vet's office, and there was a woman picking up her cat who was just spayed... she had pyo, and almost died. The kitty was 4 :(

[noludoru]

Comprehensive article on mismate drug, procedures, reasons for the mismate, and alternatives:
www.vetmed.lsu.edu/eiltslotus/theriogenology-5361/cannine%20pregnancy%20prevention_3.htm

With that posted.. The only thing I want to say that people haven't said yet is.. if your family afford to provide proper care for your dogs, why on earth are you keeping them? As another [smart] poster mentioned, the price of a low-cost spay/neuter is certainly as much as the cost of internet ($45 for a spay, $30 for a neuter around here). If surfing the web is that important to ya'll... *shrug*

I was Sophie (or hell, even Harry--prolonged sexual tension with zero gratification isn't fun, it's akin to torture) I would certainly want to be spayed, rather than risk all of the crap that happens to unspayed bitches--not to mention the actual heat cycle and how "fun" that must be, I'm sure.

With all of that now said... your excuses for not neutering are, at best, flimsy. :(

[mrose_s]

we can afford to care for them. but recently we moved across australia, rented a house, paid $500 a week to board them while we found a house plus our hitel costs, moved all our belongings including cars, mum is still paying mortgage on our last house (which we were relying on to sell fast and hasn't) as well as the rent on this one. thats without day to day costs like food for us and the animals and frequents trips to the vet.

we can afford our animals. we havn;t taken on 5 pets when we don't have the money. we've taken on 6 pets over 9 years and its just recently that the finances have become tough. it'll fix itself up with in a month or 2. its just now.

[Boemy]

I would get her spayed, which will abort if she's pregnant. She's (at least) nine years old, definitely too old to safely have puppies.

Either that, or rehome your intact dogs of one gender or the other. Only have intact bitches or only have intact males.

Also, spayed / neutered dogs do not become fat unless overfed or under-exercised. My spayed female lab / border collie mix was as tall as a labrador and weighed 45 - 50 lbs all her life. (She was built much slimmer than a lab needless to say, LOL.) She practically had a wasp waist. And we were free-feeding her!

I know you don't have total control over your parents' dogs, but please try to convince them.

[Laurelin]

Well, Nikki DID get overweight after spaying, but I don't think it was due to spaying just a combination of factors. None of our other spayed or neutered dogs gained any weight whatsoever.

If she is nine (I'm not sure) I'd definitely get her spayed as that could be very dangerous for her.

It's not bad to keep intact dogs in my opinion (You can argue the health benefits on both sides), but only if you can keep things like this from happening.

Do you know if she is pregnant yet?