Spay and Neuter
Spay and Neuter your pet!
What do “spay” and “neuter” really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet’s age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian’s office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
- Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
By Humane Society of the United States.
Fix That Bunny!
When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Altering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammarian, and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature does. Also, rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and are the third-most surrendered animal to shelters.
Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It’s a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
For A Happy & Loveable Dog – Neuter
By Jennifer Ivey
Your male dog will appreciate the freedom you have given him in life through your decision to neuter. There are many behavioral and medical benefits to spaying and neutering your pet. You will also be doing your part in helping reduce this countries pet overpopulation problem. Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year because there are too many animals to adopt and not enough homes for them.
Below are some facts and medical benefits of neutering your male dog.
1. Your dog will have an 80% less chance of contracting Prostate Cancer.
2. Testicular Disease is practically eliminated.
3. Decrease in the desire to roam. Non-neutered male dogs can smell a female in heat up to a five mile radius and they will do just about anything to get to that female.
4. The desire to mark is eliminated. Non-neutered dogs feel the need to mark their territory to defend it from other dogs whether it is inside on your furniture or outside in your yard.
5. Decreased aggression against other animals. It decreases fights, thus saving you aggravation and expensive veterinary bills.
6. You will have a much calmer dog that is more motivated to please you rather than be preoccupied with undesirable sexual behavior.
7. The annoying problem of mounting the legs of children and adults is eliminated.
8. Dogs enter puberty around 6 months of age. Neutering is beneficial at any age but especially before your dog enters puberty. At puberty your dog will become more stuborn and protective so it is best to neuter before the negative behavioral problems start.
Below are some myths of neutering your male dog.
1. Neutering does not take away the male dogs ability to be a watch dog. He will be just as protective of his territory as he would be without the surgery.
2. Your dog will not become fat or lazy from the surgery. This will happen from too much food or not enough exercise.
3. The surgery will not hurt your dog. Neutering is a relatively painless procedure done by a licensed veterinarian.
Your dog will be free to love and please you and be a member of the family with improved health and behavior. Please do your part to help the millions of unwanted animals that are euthanized each year and neuter your male dog.
About the Author: Jennifer Ivey is a positive reinforcement Dog Trainer and Dog Behaviorist who writes articles on many dog related topics. Read more of Jennifer’s articles at BestDogArticles.com
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=71828&ca=Pets
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April 15th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I’m concerned about my GS puppy’s development and the best time to neuter. I do not want to neuter him prematurely.
When we adopted our Lab pup via rescue, he was neutered at 8 weeks old! It adversely affected his growth. His chest never developed fully, and he never learned to cock his leg although we do have an older Lab who set the example.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I’ve been thinking of neutering my male GSD. He will be 3 in December and he is absolutely beautiful. I would like to at least breed him once before I consider neuturing him because I think he would make beautiful pups. I don’t have papers on him but I purchased him direct from the breeder with the mom and dad onsite. I didn’t think at the time I purchased him to ask for papers. How could I find someone in my area that has a female and wants to breed the dogs? Should I try and get the papers for him first?
November 5th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Julie,
You should have your dog’s hips x-rayed after he turns two years. Do not breed your dog if he has less than normal hips. Hip problems are common with DSGs and it’s irresponsible to perpetuate those problems within the breed. In addition, your dog will be more valuable if he has some certification that proves his worth as a working dog, such as BH or better Schutzhund. Or some certification as a show dog. But, this isn’t required. I considered breeding my beautiful girl, an all black GSD until we discovered that her hips weren’t that good. She’s turning thee soon and we actually had her spayed today. You should not spay before age two. The dog required those organs for emotional and physical maturity. She need to be an adult before it’s done. Whether to neuter a male is a point of much debate.
Farrell
December 9th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
@Farrell @Julie – Julie, I’m glad Farrell got you a GREAT answer! Thanks a TON Farrell!