Anything positive in NOT spaying your dog?
- Thread starter pup-man
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I am all for spaying/neutering. Females in heat are not fun to deal with. Not only do you have to constantly be vigilant about where they are and who's around but those darn doggy diapers are a pain in the behind.
Now for my male Gunnar, I do plan on neutering him but it hasn't happend yet and he's a bit over a year. The reason behind my logic is that he will have his hips x-rayed at two and will most likely have to be sedated for that, I would rather kill to birds with one stone and only have him under once.
The only reason I see not to spay/neuter is the same as the above poster, if you plan to breed or show. Some people prefer to wait until the dog "matures" a bit, personally I have never seen any scientific proof to back up putting it off.
Now for my male Gunnar, I do plan on neutering him but it hasn't happend yet and he's a bit over a year. The reason behind my logic is that he will have his hips x-rayed at two and will most likely have to be sedated for that, I would rather kill to birds with one stone and only have him under once.
The only reason I see not to spay/neuter is the same as the above poster, if you plan to breed or show. Some people prefer to wait until the dog "matures" a bit, personally I have never seen any scientific proof to back up putting it off.
I don't believe there are any pros to have an intact animal. It is a PITA most of the time. Females in heat are no fun, and neither is dealing with intact males who smell a female. Males that are intact usually require more training to make them a good family member and to get their mind out of the gutter. And then trying to keep males away from your female just when you want to take her out to potty ... not fun!
Besides, it benefits their health to have them neutered.
Besides, it benefits their health to have them neutered.
one thing i wish i had known before i had Vic neutered was that his breed are extra susceptable to reactions with the gas. Another member was the one that told me when i complained of how Vic had a terrible rash afterwards. I have since heard others mention that one breed or another is more "tender". I don't know if anything could have been done to prevent it or not. I gave him benedryl and that really seemed to help but it was still scary for me and i am sure very uncomfortable for him.
The reason why I ask is because I'v been doing some research on getting my 7 month spayed. It's definately time right now but have been giving it second thoughts after reading many articles on the net.
Most have given this answer against getting your dog fixed:
Anesthesia shock and surgical complications (Dogs and Bitches)
Post operative pain and infection (Dogs and Bitches)
Obesity (Dogs and Bitches)
Hypothyroidism (Dogs and Bitches)
Cerebellar Cortical Abiotrophy (Dogs and Bitches)
Loss of estrogen; sex and growth hormone (Bitches)
Intervertebral disk disease (Bitches)
Myasthenia Gravis; muscle weakness (Bitches)
Urinary incontinence (Bitches)
Altered moods leading to nervousness, separation anxiety, and digestive disorders (Bitches)
Vaginal perivulvar dermatitis and recessed vulva (Bitches)
Loss of testosterone; sex and growth hormone (Dogs)
Narrowing of the chest resulting in respiratory disorders (Dogs)
Failure to extrude the penis (Dogs)
I just wanted to hear everybodys thoughts.
Most have given this answer against getting your dog fixed:
Anesthesia shock and surgical complications (Dogs and Bitches)
Post operative pain and infection (Dogs and Bitches)
Obesity (Dogs and Bitches)
Hypothyroidism (Dogs and Bitches)
Cerebellar Cortical Abiotrophy (Dogs and Bitches)
Loss of estrogen; sex and growth hormone (Bitches)
Intervertebral disk disease (Bitches)
Myasthenia Gravis; muscle weakness (Bitches)
Urinary incontinence (Bitches)
Altered moods leading to nervousness, separation anxiety, and digestive disorders (Bitches)
Vaginal perivulvar dermatitis and recessed vulva (Bitches)
Loss of testosterone; sex and growth hormone (Dogs)
Narrowing of the chest resulting in respiratory disorders (Dogs)
Failure to extrude the penis (Dogs)
I just wanted to hear everybodys thoughts.
I'll give you my thoughts on the some of your concerns.
Anesthesia shock and surgical complications (Dogs and Bitches)
There's always a risk with any operation. I maked sure the vet uses isoflurane anesthesia, it’s a lot easier to control since it’s a gas. Also a pre-op blood test is something I always have my dogs take before any operation.
Post operative pain and infection (Dogs and Bitches)
Pain meds can be administered, as for infection it’s possible but that’s why you keep a close eye on the incision to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Obesity (Dogs and Bitches)
If you control you dogs intake of food and exercise properly this shouldn’t be a concern. Both my dogs that were spayed and neutered at a young age are at a perfect wait. The rescue dog that was only spayed 6 months ago at the age of 6yrs and after having many litters of pups is overweight. And she was overweight before her spay.
Anesthesia shock and surgical complications (Dogs and Bitches)
There's always a risk with any operation. I maked sure the vet uses isoflurane anesthesia, it’s a lot easier to control since it’s a gas. Also a pre-op blood test is something I always have my dogs take before any operation.
Post operative pain and infection (Dogs and Bitches)
Pain meds can be administered, as for infection it’s possible but that’s why you keep a close eye on the incision to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Obesity (Dogs and Bitches)
If you control you dogs intake of food and exercise properly this shouldn’t be a concern. Both my dogs that were spayed and neutered at a young age are at a perfect wait. The rescue dog that was only spayed 6 months ago at the age of 6yrs and after having many litters of pups is overweight. And she was overweight before her spay.
Anesthesia shock and surgical complications (Dogs and Bitches)
A risk with any type of surgical procedure. Thankfully, spayings are so routine that complications are rare, and pre-op bloodwork helps to rule out the anesthesia shock potential.
Post operative pain and infection (Dogs and Bitches)
The pain medication given is usually more than sufficient to compensate. Would you rather have her in pain from a ruptured uterus due to an oversized litter?
Obesity (Dogs and Bitches)
Exercise and upkeep will eliminate this. The reason most people moan about weight gain is they subconsciously bring it about by not pushing as hard during a workout, feeding more treats out of misplaced guilt. There is a lessening in the activity level, but proper exercise will take care of this. My dog wasn't neutered until over a year of age (rescue) and in the year I've had him his weight has stayed exactly where it was pre-neutering. My female has actually lost weight, but she was a bit pudgey when we pulled her out of the shelter. Exercise and diet has gotten her down to her ideal weight.
Failure to extrude the penis (Dogs)
All I have to say is that I've never had to help an intact dog put it's lipstick back in. This month alone I've had to help 2 neutered dogs retract, and I've done it a few other times at my other job. I imagine there is a lessening in neutered dogs running around with it hanging out versus intact boys, but I wouldn't say there is much of a failure.
Of course, there will always be cases to prove or disprove any of those reasons. It's my opinion that unless your dog has a proven reason for staying intact (show dog or medical condition) it's always better to spay/neuter.
A risk with any type of surgical procedure. Thankfully, spayings are so routine that complications are rare, and pre-op bloodwork helps to rule out the anesthesia shock potential.
Post operative pain and infection (Dogs and Bitches)
The pain medication given is usually more than sufficient to compensate. Would you rather have her in pain from a ruptured uterus due to an oversized litter?
Obesity (Dogs and Bitches)
Exercise and upkeep will eliminate this. The reason most people moan about weight gain is they subconsciously bring it about by not pushing as hard during a workout, feeding more treats out of misplaced guilt. There is a lessening in the activity level, but proper exercise will take care of this. My dog wasn't neutered until over a year of age (rescue) and in the year I've had him his weight has stayed exactly where it was pre-neutering. My female has actually lost weight, but she was a bit pudgey when we pulled her out of the shelter. Exercise and diet has gotten her down to her ideal weight.
Failure to extrude the penis (Dogs)
All I have to say is that I've never had to help an intact dog put it's lipstick back in. This month alone I've had to help 2 neutered dogs retract, and I've done it a few other times at my other job. I imagine there is a lessening in neutered dogs running around with it hanging out versus intact boys, but I wouldn't say there is much of a failure.
Of course, there will always be cases to prove or disprove any of those reasons. It's my opinion that unless your dog has a proven reason for staying intact (show dog or medical condition) it's always better to spay/neuter.
if it is a female it is a no brainer, you dont have a choice. If she doesn't get pg..she will get hit by a car trying to get pg. Or the male will get hit trying to get to her. IF she gets pg.. that becomes a whole new kettle of fish and you have half a dozen new problems to add to the existing one. MOre expense, MOre risk, More pain, to More animals.
And there is much, so much more. Don't forget that you will constantly have to moniter your dog for when she goes in heat (don't rely on a schedule!). There will be blood everywhere. Don't forget that if she has acess to male dogs in an unenclosed area (even if on a leash on a walk), male dogs will find her.