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Neutering & Spaying; also in Health Care & Advice
Topic Started: 16 Oct 2007, 05:44 PM (825 Views)
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As a rescue site, it should come as no surprise that we absolutely endorse neutering & spaying of dogs, unless there are health reasons specific to the dog in question not to. We do recommend that you discuss the procedure and any concerns you have with your vet though.
This is a topic that we do feel strongly about, not only to prevent unwanted breeding but also to prevent straying or unwanted attention of male dogs on other dogs.
However since this topic has come up many times on the site we have collated some of the responses previously given & added some information from other sites to hopefully help you with any concerns.
Contributors (by member name) Ian, Jennysmum, tanithwheeler, Owlish.

Age - Amongst rescue dogs 3- 4 years old seems to be a common age for the procedure but this is probably due to their previous homes not having arranged to do it sooner. As always consult your vet but age up to about 7 (again sometimes exact age is unknown) would not be uncommon
For a bitch, to gain the maximum benefit for avoiding mammary tumors, within the first 2 seasons is best, but don't not do it because your bitch has had more seasons.

Neutering the male dog - it will not affect his character!

*Aggression - some aggression has a testosterone element and neutering does reduce some types of aggression, it may take a few months for his hormones to lower after neutering but it should make him calmer & less aggressive. If you breed from your dog, his aggression issues, however small, will most certainly get worse as his testosterone levels will be kicked sky high and you will have a very unruly dog on your hands.
Health - A neutered dog is unlikely to get prostrate cancer or some of the other hormone related cancers
The procedure - Essentially castration involves a general anaesthetic and is relatively simple on a male. They will remove his testicles and stitch him up. A week or so later the stitches are removed.
After care - follow instructions from your vet, keep the dog warm & comfortable perhaps try to find him a quiet place if there are other dogs in the household and ensure he wears his protective collar to prevent him nibbling at his stitches.
When - as soon as possible! Check with your vet some advice says 6 months others say 12 months, we do not have a clear answer on this.

Spaying the bitch -
*Aggression - may or may not help there is no evidence to suggest that a dog suffers from any personality or emotional harm by having their ovaries removed but some research has shown that dogs under 6 months old who already displayed aggressive tendencies were affected. Certainly it will reduce any 'mood swings' caused by hormonal changes leading up to and during a season
Health - Feminine cancers are far less likely to occur in the spayed bitch. The risk of pyometra becomes a thing of the past as well. Phantom pregnancies as well as real ones are no longer a concern and it is beneficial to help avoiding mammary tumors.
The Procedure -the medical term is ovariohysterectomy. Under general anaesthetic in this major abdominal surgery the pet's ovaries and uterus are removed. The uterus is also removed to insure that it does not become a source of infection over a period of time.
After care - follow instructions from your vet, keep the dog warm & comfortable perhaps try to find her a quiet place if there are other dogs in the household and ensure she wears her protective collar to prevent her nibbling at her stitches. Bitches are known to 'slow down' after spaying as they burn less calories so to avoid letting her get fat (& all the problems that go with this) reduce her calorie intake
When - as soon as possible but 3 months after her last season

*Aggression - Any aggression issues should be referred to a qualified experienced trained behaviourist.

If you have further comments or information , please PM any of the Biggsd Team.

Thank you for your time.
Edited by Rooneysdad, 12 Apr 2011, 07:57 AM.
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