|
|
|
|
|
|
| . | |
| Myths about Spaying and Neutering: (This is a long article, but worth it.) | |
|
. |
|
|
|
|
| . | |
|
Source: Holly Nash, DVM, MS Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. http://www.peteducation.com I heard that neutered and spayed dogs get fat and lazy. Is this true? Spaying and neutering does change the metabolism of companion animals, so in most cases, they do not need as much food to maintain their weight as unspayed/unneutered dogs. The problem is not with the dog - it is us. We just tend to overfeed our dogs, and neutered/spayed dogs are more apt to put on weight because of that. As for laziness, again, the amount of exercise our dogs receive and their activity levels are often dependent on us. If we do not give them opportunities for play and exercise, they can become couch potatoes just like some people. Many spayed/neutered dogs hunt, are entered in agility shows, become service dogs, and are trained in search and rescue. These dogs are anything but lazy. My veterinarian recommended I spay my new puppy and she is only two months old. Is that safe? Early spaying/neutering has been shown to be safe in multiple studies. It must be remembered that younger animals may need different anesthetics and are more prone to hypothermia (lower than normal body temperature) during surgery. But as long as procedures are modified to account for these differences, early neutering is very safe. In fact, puppies neutered at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those neutered when they are older. I was told I should let my dog go through one heat before I have her spayed. Is that what you recommend? We recommend that dogs be spayed before they have a heat. There are several reasons for this: * Spaying a dog before her first heat is the best way to significantly reduce the chance your dog will develop breast cancer, a common condition in female dogs. The risk of malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayed prior to their first heat is 0.05%. It is 8% for dog spayed after one heat, and 26% in dogs spayed after their second heat. * Any heat brings with it a chance your dog could become pregnant. This would adversely affect the health of a young dog. * A heat also brings with it the chance for accidents. Dogs in heat have been known to run through glass patio doors, jump out of moving cars, and be hit by cars as they attempt to find a mate. * Owners of females in heat also frequently have to deal with a sudden influx of male dogs around the home and yard. These amorous visitors leave numerous droppings, and spray plants and trees with urine in an attempt to mark their new found territory. There is also the mess and hassle of vaginal bleeding that typically goes on for 7 to 14 days. Who wants to deal with that if they do not have to? |
|
| . | |
|
|
|
| . | |
|
Source: http://www.sspca.org/NeuterMyths.html Truths: Spaying female animals eliminates the following: * Spotting during the heat period. * Male animals entering the yard while the female is in heat. * Pregnancy complications, involving caesarian sections. * Breast tumors-less than 1% incidence if spayed prior to the first hear, in excess of 5% incidence in non-spayed female dogs older than five years. * Uterine infections, possible life threatening, increasingly common with age. * Tumors of the ovaries uterus and vagina. * Need for extra food. * Irritability and emotional changes/stress. Neutering male animals can result in these benefits: * Eliminated or reduced irritability. * Elimination or reduction in territorial behavior (urine marking, spraying, fighting, and wandering. * Helps prevent prostate tumors and infections. * Perineal hernias/rupture of the posterior abdominal wall. * Stress. Myths & Facts: Myth: Preventing pets from having litters is unnatural. Fact: We've already interfered with nature by domesticating dogs and cats. Killing (euthanizing) the excess of animals is unnatural. Myth: I can find homes for all the puppies or kittens of my female pet. Fact: Finding good homes is not easy. What about the homes of those babies? Can you assure they will be spayed or neutered so they won't contribute to pet overpopulation? You are responsible. Each puppy and kitten you are responsible for creating and placing in a home means one less home for those already in need of a home. Can you look at these adorable faces in the shelter and tell them you made the right choice knowing 60% of them will be euthanized? There are already too many pets and not enough homes. We must correct this rather than add to the problem. Myth: I want my children to see the miracle of birth. Fact: The birthing process can often be traumatizing. A female in labor is often anxious, and may bite or snap. Kittens and puppies may become "stuck" in the birth canal, needing surgical intervention. Mothers may eat their newborn. Stillborn and deformed offspring are common. Video stores have videos of the miracle of birth. A better lesson to teach is the need for spay/neuter and the tragedy of death due to cat and dog overpopulation in animal shelters. Myth: We don't need to neuter males dogs and cats because they can't give birth. Fact: Don't forget it takes two. A high percent of animals hit by cars are unaltered male dogs and cats. They're out looking for unaltered females. Neutered males have a significantly lower risk of certain tumors and prostate disease. Neutered male cats are less likely to spray urine to map territory and fight with other cats. Myth: My pet never leaves the yard. Fact: Remember, gates get left open and fences blow down. People often fail to check shelters for their lost pets. (Dog and cat licenses help lost pets find their way home.) Myth: Neutering will make my pet fat and change his/her personality. Fact: Overfeeding and too little exercise will make your pet fat and lazy. Any personality change will be for the better! For males, the aggression related to hormones will decrease. For females, moodiness related to hormones will decrease. Your pet will likely become more attentive to you and your family, and will still protect his/her home and family. Myth: Surgery is dangerous and expensive. Fact: The procedures are routine at most veterinary facilities. There are always risks involved with any surgical procedure but the risks and costs are minimal compared to those associated with not spaying and neutering. Your pet will live longer, cost you less in veterinary bills, and be healthier if it is spayed/neutered. Myth: A female should have a litter so she'll be a better pet. Fact: This is a common misconception, with no medical proof behind it. Females may even become more aggressive especially immediately after giving birth. Each heat cycle a female goes through will increase her risk for developing breast cancer. A non-spayed female is at risk for developing uterine infections -- very often a life threatening problem that requires immediate surgery. The birthing process itself carries risks and potential complications. Are you willing to risk your pet's life? |
|
| . | |
|
|
|
| . | |
|
Source: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/myths_and_facts_about_spaying_and_neutering.html Myths and Facts About Spaying and Neutering MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy. FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise. MYTH: It's better to have one litter first. FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures. MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth. FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others. MYTH: But my pet is a purebred. FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred. MYTH: I want my dog to be protective. FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones. MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male. FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her. FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics. MYTH: It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered. FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets. MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens. FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time. |
|
| . | |
|
|
|
| . | |
|
Source: http://www.nccn.net/~paleague/myths.htm The Myths of Spaying and Neutering Last year, over 15 million cats and dogs were killed in animal shelters and pounds in the United States, and this figure does not include the many pets who were thrown out of cars, left by the side of the road, or dropped in woods and fields. Yet we can't kill the myths that are perpetuating their destruction. Which of these myths do you still believe? Myth: It's better to allow your female to have one litter before she is spayed: Fact: Not true! There is no information to substantiate this claim. In fact, the best time to spay your female dog or cat is before her first heat. Here are the facts: * Spaying your female at a young age prevents uterine infections, such as pyometra, which can be fatal. Infections of the uterus are a major cause of illness in unspayed pets. * Spaying reduces the incidence of mammary (breast) cancer. This is a very common cancer in unspayed females, and the most common cancer to spread to the lungs. * Spaying can be done while your pet is pregnant. While this means aborting the offspring, it is more humane than taking them to the pound later. Also, for every litter you bring into the world, a litter at the pound dies. * Spaying eliminates unwanted males from harassing your pet. Myth: Preventing pets from having litters is unnatural: Fact: We have already interfered with nature by domesticating dogs and cats. We domesticated the dog 15,000 years ago and the cat 8,000 years ago. In doing so, we helped create this problem. Now it's our responsibility to solve it. It's also unnatural to be killing so many of them in our pounds and shelters each year. Myth: I want my children to see the miracle of birth: Fact: Frequently animals go off by themselves to give birth, usually in the middle of the night. Teach your children instead about humaneness and kindness to all living creatures by educating them about the importance of spaying and neutering. Myth: Pets become fat and lazy after being spayed or neutered: Fact: Fat animals are usually over fed and under exercised. It's true there can be a tendency for a pet to put on some weight after the operation. But what is not true is that the operation causes the condition. If your pet shows signs of putting on a little weight, reduce the calories and increase the walks or play sessions. That will keep the waistline trim. Myth: A pet's behavior changes dramatically after surgery: Fact: The only changes in behavior you'll see are positive ones! Here are the facts: * Male cats tend to reduce their territorial spraying depending upon the age at which they are neutered. If neutered young enough, before they develop the habit of spraying, they may never develop the behavior. * Neutered male cats and dogs fight less resulting in fewer battle scars, contagious diseases, and abscesses. They also wander less since they aren't interested in pursuing the female in heat. Therefore, their chances of being hit by a car or getting lost are greatly reduced. * In fact, spayed and neutered animals live longer, happier, healthier lives. Myth: We don't need to neuter males, because they aren't the ones having the litters: Fact: This is most prevalent myth yet the most ridiculous. Immaculate conception doesn't explain canine and feline pregnancies. It takes two to tango. Myth: Neutering male cats causes urethral obstructions: Fact: Exhaustive studies have indicated that obstructions are not affected by whether or not a cat is neutered. In fact, neutering diminishes the likelihood of prostate and testicular cancers and perineal hernias later in life. To prevent urethral obstructions, make sure your pet is eating the best diet possible. Myth: I can find "good" homes for all the puppies or kittens that my female gives birth to: Fact: Finding truly good, lasting homes for kittens and puppies is very difficult. Many pets are taken to the pound or otherwise discarded once they start to grow. And, who is to ensure that your pet's offspring won't mature, breed, and contribute to the existing problem? There is no way you can guarantee these animals will be spayed or neutered. Also, for every animal you bring into the world, one at the pound will die. Do yourself a favor and avoid the agonizing job of trying to find homes for your pet's litter. If you know of some good homes, send your friends to the pound. There are many animals waiting there. And their time is running out. Myth: My dog won't be a good watchdog if I neuter him: Fact: If he was a good watchdog before the surgery, he will be a good watchdog after the surgery. Myth: The operation costs too much money: Fact: There is A LOT of financial help available. Call us (530-273-7958) or your local humane agency about the cost- effective ways you can get your pets spayed and neutered. You'll be surprised how inexpensive it can be! If your pet isn't spayed or neutered, make an appointment today for surgery. The more altered animals there are, the fewer homeless ones there will be. |
|
| . | |
|
|
|
| . | |
|
Source: http://www.greatdanecluboflasvegas.org/neutering.html The animal population is exploding. Each year millions of unwanted pets are born and most are treated like "living garbage" and disposed of. The primary causes of pet euthanasia are the failure by owners to have their pets spayed or neutered and animals that are abandoned or relinquished to shelters because of obedience problems. This is tragic and reprehensible ...but also preventable. The Procedure The procedure of removing the reproductive organs of either a male or a female animal is called neutering. Specifically, the procedure for females is called spaying. The procedure for males is called castration or altering, but is also loosely called neutering. The obvious reason spaying and neutering is so critical is to prevent unwanted, accidental pregnancies. There are many more benefits, though, that are good for the pet as well as the owner. Females This preventive surgery can be performed as early as 2 to 4 months of age. Recent scientific research shows evidence that a younger puppy or kitten does better with the anesthesia and the surgical process. Talk to your veterinarian about when your particular pet should be spayed. Many veterinarians still choose to perform this routine procedure at about 5 to 6 months of age. For their own sakes, all female dogs or cats should be spayed unless they are going to be professionally bred or shown. It does not matter if she will ever be allowed outdoors unsupervised, the physical benefits of an early spaying operation are so great that there are no valid reasons not to have it performed. In addition, you avoid behavioral problems that are related to sexual drive in an unspayed female pet. Physical Benefits of an Early Spay It is simply not reasonable that a female puppy should be allowed to have one heat or one litter before she's spayed. There are no benefits to be gained from waiting and many to be gained by an early spaying operation. A pet in heat will bleed and consequently spot the carpet and furniture. Owners who have indoor pets have to cover the furniture to avoid this spotting. Carpet will also need to be neutralized to remove the smell and the stain. Although there are little pads that can be worn with a strap, most pets find them uncomfortable and try to take them off. A female pet that is spayed before her first heat has a greatly reduced risk of developing ovarian, uterine or breast cancer, the second most common malignancy in pets. In addition, she will never develop pyometra (an infection of the uterus). Pyometra can become seriously life-threatening and require an emergency spay operation. These infections very commonly occur in older, unspayed females. Of course, an early spay operation also prevents an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy. If your unspayed female puppy does accidentally become pregnant, it can be potentially damaging to her health, since she is very young. A six-month-old puppy is in no way suited for motherhood. As to the argument that spayed female pets always get fat, this is not necessarily the case. It is true that spayed pets can be more prone to obesity, but that's because as a female puppy nears physical maturity she becomes somewhat less physically active and requires fewer calories for energy. Physical maturity often follows shortly behind a spaying operation. Therefore, the spaying is often blamed if a puppy begins to put on weight. If you do not overfeed your pet and give her plenty of daily exercise, she will not gain too much weight. If you don't, she'll get fat, whether or not she's been spayed. Behavior Benefits of an Early Spay During the stage in the heat cycle when a female is receptive toward males, she may attempt to escape from the house. She may also indulge in territorial urine marking, especially if there are other pets (male or female) in the household or immediate neighborhood. An unspayed female may also suffer from a disorder known as "false pregnancy" which mimics all of the physical and behavioral stages of pregnancy, even though there are no fertilized eggs. It's especial common in pets that are very dependent on their owners, and can occur even when no mating has taken place. Some females go through a false pregnancy every time they come into heat. A very troublesome side effect of having an unspayed female is the necessity of keeping her away from unwelcome Romeos and keeping them away from her. Males will appear on your doorstep, hang around your yard and fight one another. In addition to these problems, female cats and even some dogs may "cry." You think your pet is in pain and take it to the vet only to find out it is in heat and looking for a mate. Males At around six or seven months of age, your male will become sexually mature. The operation is best performed when the animal is young, although it can be done at any age in a pet's life. As with spaying, this procedure is now considered preventive surgery. Neutering does not change the male's masculine appearance. He will still acquire his secondary sex characteristics, regardless of his age when the procedure is done. Castration doesn't affect hunting ability or watchdog behavior. He most likely will be less aggressive in some areas, especially toward other males. As with altered females, male pets will not get fat if given a good, balanced diet and enough exercise. Physical Benefits of an Early Neuter Unaltered males are subject to a number of hormone-related medical problems as they age. They may develop, perennial and testicular tumors and cancers. Neutering greatly reduces the risk of these medical problems. Behavior Benefits of an Early Neuter Neutering is particularly effective as a preventive measure against a number of common behavioral problems. One aspect of male canine behavior is aggression toward other males. As a male reached full physical and sexual maturity, he becomes more and more protective of what he considers "his" territory. His definition of "his" area tends to change, and the boundaries enlarge, until sometimes an entire square block or country mile falls within his territory. Often, owners are not aware of this until a tragedy occurs and their male or another male is severely hurt or even killed. "But he's always so gentle" is a common cry of an upset owner in these circumstances. And he is -- until another male invades property that he considers his own. Then his male territorial instinct overrides any social behavior he may have learned and he defends his turf, sometimes to the death. Along with this instinct comes roaming behavior. A sexually active male must patrol the boundaries of his property and constantly widen them. In addition, he's always on the lookout for receptive females and, if there is a female in heat within many miles, he'll find her. Along with this comes the potential to be hit by a car or otherwise injured, or become lost. Often, a male hangs around the area for days on end, apparently forgetting that he even has a home. Terrible fights can occur when several males pursue a female in heat, even if she is confined indoors, and the resulting veterinarian bills may be staggering. Research shows us that of all the positive behavior changes that are a result of neutering, roaming shows the greatest degree of change. An uncastrated male may indulge in territorial urine marking -- urinating on every upright surface he can find. This is usually related either to a female coming into heat somewhere within his range or another male moving into the neighborhood. You may not be aware of either occurrence, but you will soon know it when your housetrained pet has suddenly "broken training" and is marking up your house. In the absence of other male animals, males may also take out their aggressive territorial protection on humans. Overprotectiveness of family members may manifest itself by growling or nipping at visitors in your home. Other sexually related behaviors of male dogs can include mounting human legs, climbing up on people and even knocking children down and climbing on top of them. This is especially frightening and dangerous if a dog is large. For male cats, a neutered male is less likely to spray (almost all unneutered male cats spray). They also yowl as if in terrible pain. You may think your cat is in pain and take it to the vet only to find out he is in search of a mate. All of these behaviors can usually be corrected by a combination of neutering and training, but it's difficult to break a habit that has become ingrained. Neutering makes life more pleasant because it removes some of the behavioral traits with which people find it difficult to live -- traits that may land the pet in a shelter. The Surgery The operation itself is certainly not cruel, but a fairly simple and routine procedure that actually helps the pet. When done on a young animal, it entails, at most, one or two days of discomfort. Owners will be given instructions about withholding food and water to the pet prior to the surgery. Follow these directions carefully. Most veterinarians will give a thorough physical prior to the anesthesia. It often includes a blood test and urinalysis. These tests are necessary to make sure there aren't underlying medical problems such as kidney or liver disease, diabetes or chronic infection that would put the patient at greater risk during surgery. For females, the ovaries and uterus will be removed, thus, eliminating the production of eggs. For males, the testes will be removed, thus, eliminating the source of sperm. After the operation, the animal will continue to be monitored. Some veterinarians choose to keep the animal overnight for observation, but most animals that have surgery in the morning can go home late in the afternoon to rest and recuperate. Again, there will be specific instructions given to the owner about the care of the pet for the next several days. Follow these directions carefully and your pet will recover quickly and completely in a short while. To summarize, spaying and neutering is good for everyone: It's good for your pet. It reduces the risk of certain reproductive cancers and diseases for both males and females. Spayed or neutered pets also generally live longer. For females, it eliminates the heat cycle and therefore, the nervousness, blood and unwelcome males. For males, it stops the mating desire, reduces mounting and the tendency to roam. It's good for you. Usually less expensive to license, a discount is given if your pet is spayed or neutered. It reduces the risk of unwanted litters. There will be no more problems with blood stains, males breaking into your yard, pets running away in search of a mate, and the job of taking care of and finding home for an unwanted litter. Your pet will be happier and so will you. It's good for the community. Homeless pets often create serious problems. They destroy property, spread disease and cost a lot of money to control. It's an agonizing job to euthanize animals because of irresponsible breeding. Reasons People do not Spay or Neuter Their Pet "It would be cruel to do that to my pet!" Your pet does not have the ability to hold a grudge against you because you made this decision. If your pet could talk, he or she would thank you for it! "I'm afraid of putting my pet under. Won't it be painful?" Although neutering and spaying is a surgical procedure that does require general anesthesia, the pet feels nothing during the procedure and the risks are minimal. Certainly the benefits far outweigh the risks. There is only a slight discomfort and the pet will be back on their feet with normal activities within 24 to 72 hours. "I don't have enough money for this procedure." You can't afford not to do it. Most communities have humane shelters and low-cost spay/neuter clinics that offer affordable services. Contact your veterinarian, your local shelter, or the PETSMART store nearest you. It can be much more costly to you if you have a pregnant female with pups to take care of, or if you have to split the veterinarian bills with your neighbor because your male got their female pregant. "I want to breed...it's a purebred." Purebred breeding is very complicated. There are some things you should ask yourself before you do this. Do you have a five-generation pedigree for the animal? Is there a minimum of eight titles (AKC/UKC:Champions, Obedience CD, CDX, etc.) in the last three generations? Does the animal have a stable temperament? Does the animal fit the breed standard? Are the animal and prospective mate healthy? Is the animal certified free of genetic diseases? Do you have the time it takes to breed? A good breeder will be careful about the animals they breed and will offer to take an animal back if it does not work out. "I can make some extra money selling the puppies/kittens." Breeding dogs and cats isn't always a money making experience. There are the veterinary bills, shots, food, and advertising costs. There is also the time spent caring for the puppies and kittens and showing them to prospective owners. Don't forget the temptation to keep "just one" that often happens with the first litter. What if the pregnancy puts the mother in medical danger that causes her to suffer or even die -- can you put a price on the loss of a pet? Also, for every heat cycle a female goes through, her odds of having medical problems later multiplies by ten. By the time the puppies or kittens are sold, has a significant amount of money really been made? "My male cat/dog will be kept indoors away from any females." Male pets will smell females in heat and many have been known to escape their homes to reach the female. "I want my male dog to be a guard dog and I need to keep him aggressive." Most pets will be more reliable and responsible after neutering and are often easier to train because of stabilized hormones. What makes a male dog a good guard dog is training, not hormones. "My kids need to learn about the birds and the bees -- I want them to see the birth process." Children can experience the birthing process in other ways rather than at the expense of the family pet. Rent a video, or volunteer to work at your local shelter. |
|
| . | |
|
|
|
| . | |
| Other links: | |
| . | |
| http://www.artanimals.org/earlyspayneuter.html | |
| . | |
| http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ope/ivb/spay-neu.htm | |
| . | |
| http://www.columbusdogconnection.com/PedSpayNeuter.htm | |
| . | |
|
|
|
| . | |
|
Click here if you would like to notified about coming litters! |
|
|
Content Protected by Copyright © 2003 to the present. All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
