to spay or not to spay?

tankgirl1

I am a Vet Nurse, and if you are not planning to breed then I would 100% advice to spay!

Pyomertas (accumulation of pus in the womb), and mammary cancer have a much higher incidence in entire ladies.., especially as they get older and then the GA risk increases...

Plus factor in her frustration during every season that she is unable to mate....

You will be doing her a huge favour by getting her 'done'

tankgirl1

*Pyometras even

bugslet

yes I have four girls and three were done before their first season. Fourth was a two year old rescue, but she was done once we knew that she hadn't been.

I had no intention of bringing yet more puppies into the world so it seemed the best thing to do as there is a male dog in the house as well.

I've had no problems with anaesthetic (sp!!!!) beyond being a bit snoozy the following day and a bit of a sleepless night with a restless dog.

I think the heath benefits outweigh any negatives.

As for personality change, well in the two year old, I didn't notice any, obviously the others were puppies so you wouldn't really see a difference at that age.

Katiehound

My girls have always been spayed- all mine have been from rescue so that had been one of the conditions of rehoming (if they hadn't been 'done' before they came to me- it was a priority. )Two of my hounds were manic during their seasons (came into season as soon as I got them so could not be spayed immediately!!)- one was attacking my old neutered boy and jumping up at mirrors (presumably seeing other dogs there!!) We were at the vets asap!
All the reasons given for spaying above are good. Why would you want the mess of a season, trying to exercise a dog in season safely without meeting full dogs and the risk of unwanted puppies, and all the health issues?? When I was a teenager I remember the dog we had died from pyrometra. aged about 10.

popadom

Ive put it all off as ive been told diffrent things, mainly about the times you can do it. I havnt found my vet helpful in the matter. She finsihed her season about 20th june, When should i get her done>?

adouglasmhor

popadom wrote: »

Ive put it all off as ive been told diffrent things, mainly about the times you can do it. I havnt found my vet helpful in the matter. She finsihed her season about 20th june, When should i get her done>?

Now is a good time.

lostinrates

somehting know one has mentions is the ease of owning a spayed girl for housework. Continually mopping floors, partoicularly if you get a girl who is very heavy (we have one who is a light spotter one who is the heaviest I've owned). Also, while not in season, my girls come every evening into the sitting room for a snuggle and wander throughout the downstairs of the house, in season I'm afraid I keep them on more washable bedding in the kitchen, utility room and garden for ease. its not nice for them to have their routine changed and to feel ''exiled'' to a degree.

Some girls find seasons hard. They withdraw a little from others and are quieter. Though they cannot tell us, I imagine like some women find hormonal variance difficult they can too.

Weight can be an issue (the only reason one of ours has not yet been spayed as she we had other entire girls she was not an issue to keep entire, however she will be being spayed after next season, as there are only two girls now)but it is controlable...feed kless, possible supplement with a vit/min supplment to ensure she has everything she needs on a slightly reduced diet. Weight is more controllable than the health risks associated with not spaying. We have never had one go as a result, direct or indirect of not spaying, but we have had more than one suffer as a result of not being spayed.

IMO there are very few circumstances where keeping pet girls entire is the better option.

lostinrates

popadom wrote: »

I havnt found my vet helpful in the matter.

Have you told your vet this? Its important....and possibly something they can imporove in their practise to help others too.

If you book in for a neuter they SHOULD ask you when she had her last season and advise accordingly.

littlerat

!!!!!es come in season around once every 6 months, and you want to avoid near the start or end of a season. So now would be a great time!


RE: Weight - you need to try and find a good dog food she will actually eat, there's tips on dog forums as to this.

Re: Side effects - the most common I've heard of is it slightly (and it is very slightly) increases the risk of partial incontinence (or leaking) in old age - but the last study I read it was under 1% increase, and it can happen anyway.

Things can go wrong it's true, but in my opinion (having looked into this for years) is that the potential risks are far slighter than the benefits of spaying.

Also as the poll is 98% for yes - it's quite conclusive!

ali-t

popadom wrote: »

Hi
what were the side effects?
If you have those links id really like to see them! thanks!

Side effects can include shorter life span, distorted growth, increased risk of various cancers and even more likely to have a reaction to vaccinations.

The links below provide some background reading but if you look on google scholar you will find 100's of pieces of independent research rather than homespun tales or financially beneficial vet propaganda.

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
http://www.gpmcf.org/respectovaries.html
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/11/11/1434.full