The Cockapoo Club for owners, enthusiasts and ALL recipients of Hearing Dogs
WHERE COCKAPOOS COME FIRST!
WHERE COCKAPOOS COME FIRST!
TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG?
There isn't a hard and fast rule for when the best time to get dogs neutered or spayed, even vets have different views on how old a dog or bitch should be before the operation is done.
There are also queries about whether it is of any value at all, or whether the health risks outweigh any benefits.
So, lets look at the pro’s and cons.
SPAYING
Spaying is removing the reproductive organs of the female dog.
The operation can involve either removing both the uterus and the ovaries through an abdominal incision, or just the ovaries, which is often done via keyhole surgery.
During keyhole surgery, a small incision is made in the abdomen and a telescopic tube inserted which has a camera on the end. The abdomen is inflated with gas and through other small incisions surgical equipment is inserted to grab and remove the ovaries.
The traditional abdominal method is a bigger operation and needs a longer recovery time due to having a larger abdominal incision. Sutures are usually in for at least a week, maybe 10 days during which time your dog will be on restricted exercise.
The arguments FOR spaying are the same for both methods --
** No risk of unwanted pregnancies
** No messy seasons
** Reduced risk of cancer in the reproductive organs
** Reduced risk of Pyometra, which would affect approximately 23% of bitches
** Reduced risk of mammory cancer if done before 2.5yrs of age
** Reduced risk of perianal fistular
There are also arguments AGAINST getting bitches spayed. These are --
** Increased risk of urinary incontinence
** Increased risk of bone cancers if done before 12mths of age (in larger breeds)
** Increased risk of hypothyroidism (under active thyroid)
** Increased risk of vaginitis, especially if done before puberty
** Increased risk of obesity
** Increased risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations (but I haven't been able to find out why)
** Increased incidence of urinary tract infections
These are by no means complete lists, just the main arguments on both sides.
NEUTERING
For boy dogs, neutering is also an option. Their operation is not as major as the routine female abdominal spay, but even so it causes the owners worry and concern.
For the boy dogs, neutering involves castration, or the removal of both testicles. Initially it may well look as if the dog still has the testes, as the scrotal sac retains the normal shape initially. This usually shrinks down over time.
As with the bitches, there are arguments for and against doing this operation.
The arguments FOR --
** In some dogs it reduces the risk to roam in search of a mate
** No risk of testicular cancer
** Reduced risk of non cancerous prostate problems
** Reduced risk of perianal fistular
** May reduce risk of diabetes although studies are inconclusive
The arguments AGAINST neutering are --
** Increased risk of bone cancer if neutered before 1yr of age (cancer more common in medium and large breeds)
** Increased risk of hypothyroidism
** Increased risk of obesity
** Increased risk of prostate cancer
** Increased adverse reaction to vaccinations
As well as the decision on whether to neuter or spay, there is also the choice as to when. What age is best?
Again, there is no hard and fast rule, and different vets will give different recommendations.
In the USA vets frequently recommend that pups are neutered or spayed as early as possible, often about 8 weeks or so. In Europe and the UK, there is a different view. Most vets recommend 6–9mths, but there are some viewpoints that say wait till 10-24mths for males and that females should be allowed to have at least two seasons.
Neutering and spaying removes hormones from the body which have an important role to play in the dogs development. They regulate growth, mood, muscle, bone growth and density and so it is generally recommended now to wait until your dog has reached maturity before the dog has the operation.
Some studies show an increased rate of things like Hip Dysplasia in dogs that have had an early neuter, so if there is no medical reason to do it early, waiting till adulthood would be better.
For female dogs, there are the added questions around whether it is beneficial to let the dog have a season before it is spayed. There is no evidence to show that having a season is in any way a healthy option for the dog, but the arguments about leaving a dog to reach maturity stand.
It is important to do your own research, take different views and chat to your vet about any concerns and then make your mind up whether to neuter or spay your dog.
It is worth remembering that sterilisation is NOT a fix all for behavioural issues. Resource guarding, aggression, and general disobedience does not miraculously go after neutering.
Dogs need day on day training and socialisation regardless of whether they have been neutered or spayed.
There are also queries about whether it is of any value at all, or whether the health risks outweigh any benefits.
So, lets look at the pro’s and cons.
SPAYING
Spaying is removing the reproductive organs of the female dog.
The operation can involve either removing both the uterus and the ovaries through an abdominal incision, or just the ovaries, which is often done via keyhole surgery.
During keyhole surgery, a small incision is made in the abdomen and a telescopic tube inserted which has a camera on the end. The abdomen is inflated with gas and through other small incisions surgical equipment is inserted to grab and remove the ovaries.
The traditional abdominal method is a bigger operation and needs a longer recovery time due to having a larger abdominal incision. Sutures are usually in for at least a week, maybe 10 days during which time your dog will be on restricted exercise.
The arguments FOR spaying are the same for both methods --
** No risk of unwanted pregnancies
** No messy seasons
** Reduced risk of cancer in the reproductive organs
** Reduced risk of Pyometra, which would affect approximately 23% of bitches
** Reduced risk of mammory cancer if done before 2.5yrs of age
** Reduced risk of perianal fistular
There are also arguments AGAINST getting bitches spayed. These are --
** Increased risk of urinary incontinence
** Increased risk of bone cancers if done before 12mths of age (in larger breeds)
** Increased risk of hypothyroidism (under active thyroid)
** Increased risk of vaginitis, especially if done before puberty
** Increased risk of obesity
** Increased risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations (but I haven't been able to find out why)
** Increased incidence of urinary tract infections
These are by no means complete lists, just the main arguments on both sides.
NEUTERING
For boy dogs, neutering is also an option. Their operation is not as major as the routine female abdominal spay, but even so it causes the owners worry and concern.
For the boy dogs, neutering involves castration, or the removal of both testicles. Initially it may well look as if the dog still has the testes, as the scrotal sac retains the normal shape initially. This usually shrinks down over time.
As with the bitches, there are arguments for and against doing this operation.
The arguments FOR --
** In some dogs it reduces the risk to roam in search of a mate
** No risk of testicular cancer
** Reduced risk of non cancerous prostate problems
** Reduced risk of perianal fistular
** May reduce risk of diabetes although studies are inconclusive
The arguments AGAINST neutering are --
** Increased risk of bone cancer if neutered before 1yr of age (cancer more common in medium and large breeds)
** Increased risk of hypothyroidism
** Increased risk of obesity
** Increased risk of prostate cancer
** Increased adverse reaction to vaccinations
As well as the decision on whether to neuter or spay, there is also the choice as to when. What age is best?
Again, there is no hard and fast rule, and different vets will give different recommendations.
In the USA vets frequently recommend that pups are neutered or spayed as early as possible, often about 8 weeks or so. In Europe and the UK, there is a different view. Most vets recommend 6–9mths, but there are some viewpoints that say wait till 10-24mths for males and that females should be allowed to have at least two seasons.
Neutering and spaying removes hormones from the body which have an important role to play in the dogs development. They regulate growth, mood, muscle, bone growth and density and so it is generally recommended now to wait until your dog has reached maturity before the dog has the operation.
Some studies show an increased rate of things like Hip Dysplasia in dogs that have had an early neuter, so if there is no medical reason to do it early, waiting till adulthood would be better.
For female dogs, there are the added questions around whether it is beneficial to let the dog have a season before it is spayed. There is no evidence to show that having a season is in any way a healthy option for the dog, but the arguments about leaving a dog to reach maturity stand.
It is important to do your own research, take different views and chat to your vet about any concerns and then make your mind up whether to neuter or spay your dog.
It is worth remembering that sterilisation is NOT a fix all for behavioural issues. Resource guarding, aggression, and general disobedience does not miraculously go after neutering.
Dogs need day on day training and socialisation regardless of whether they have been neutered or spayed.
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