Spaying & Neutering

[sloulou]

Not intending to stir up lots of debate - but this article has been posted on a dog forum i am a member of and I thought I would share with you:

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering/spaying_neutering.shtml

Personally am not against spaying or neutering, but I think it is so sad when it's done so young...

 

[GinaB]

Not read all the article as yet. I was always taught that you should spay the bitch after it's first season, and a dog once it has fully matured which can really depend on the dog IMO.

 

[sloulou]

That is basically what it says - although it says after second season is ideal for the bitch.

The trainer I have help from told me that 16-18 months is best for dogs... (although we not having ours done unless ther is a real behavioural or veterinary need)

 

[wireweiners]

Like GinaB says I was always taught that females should be spayed after their first season. Then the conventional wisdom was that you should spay right before the first season to prevent mammary tumors. Now shelters and rescues will spay and neuter pups as young as 8 weeks. Sure, the operation itself is relatively safe for pups that young but they have discounted the long term effect on the pups' development. Still I can see why shelters do this. They want to adopt pups out early but they also want to make sure the pups are altered so they aren't producing more unwanted pups. I have had several vets that I trust say that they would recommend waiting until after the first heat to spay and until the second heat for giant breeds such as mastiffs, danes, etc. This is provided the owner is able and willing to confine the bitch during her seasons and put up with the mess and extra care required. These same vets have also said that there are few health reasons to neuter a male. Neutering can lessen aggression and reduce marking but again they recommend waiting until at least 6-8 months for most breeds and 12 to 18 months for giant breeds. Again this is providing the owner is willing/able to deal with the dog's behaviors prior to neutering and confine the dog to prevent unwanted litters.
That said, Tiger, my rescue pit bull is at the vet's today being neutered. He is not agressive but I'm afraid that as he matures he may try to challeng my older male catahoula (also neutered) plus Tiger has some minor dominance issues that I think neutering will help and the world surely doesn't need any more randomly bred pit bulls.

 

[CAYLA]

My bitches if they are in my care b4 first season are done before first season and dogs when there testicles have dropped and are of adeuate size....normally between 9 months and a year (I have worked in a veterinary environment for over 10 years)...Im sure I have owned/and have in my care on a constant basis, enough dogs to know if I had a following pattern of the types of behaviour described from neutering young.

I cant see how(in regard to behaviour) it could also be narrowed down to the effects of neutering young....I think owners have alot to answer to in regard to the behaviours of these dogs......I see this type of behaviour frequently in entire dogs/bitches.

It is entirely up to the individal.....but as a rescue and on behalf of other rescues....our aim is to decrease not multiply.....otherwise we are failing the dog as well our purpose.

Its alright for those sitting with their 1/2 family pets, that dont have to deal/see with their own eyes on a daily basis the amount of feckless idiots using their dogs as breeding machines.....but think of those with hundreds in their care that need to be assured that the dogs they save from the brink cant go on the repeat the cycle.

There are already many rescues that dont even bother to neuter

so for Joe public to go and pick up a pedigree Rotti for arguments sake.....is like getting his hands on a dirt cheap pot of gold

Ps I also see many animals with the health related problems described....when young, middle aged and elderly and entire.

It is up to the individual....but rescues can not be compared to those with a few family pets.

 

[CAYLA]

QR....Im running late

It states in the study/evidence....that by rescues neutering at such a young age....is altering the dogs full potential in adult life.....HOWEVER...the dog would not even have an adult life it it was not for the rescue taking it in and giving it a chance...they could just as easy P.T.S there and then

, and to keep these dogs to an age the study suggests to make sure they are not breed from....well need I say more

8 weeks is very young I agree...if this is fact....we actually keep our bitches until they are old enough to be done....6 months...we do them...this is particurlarly sad...as we are already struggling for space and time.....and someone is missing out on the puppy stages...however...its not worth the risk(from A rescue point of view.(we have had our hands burnt b4 in this scenario) Im sure many other rescues have...its then cost more time and money to go to a solicitor

There are thousands of studies for and against....its up to to individual to decide.....unless u are a rescue...then its up to the rescue.

Not such a quick reply

How is Lockis back bye the way?

 

[prose]

We had Stella done before her first season, which is what my vet recommended (so, at exactly six months).

As for puppy-like behaviour, I will say that's she playful, as per the BT breed, but she is, and always has been, a collected, quiet dog.

The boys like her a lot, though

 

[CAYLA]

Yep...just as it may be said that vets don't recommend at a young age.....a lot of vets do recommend the 6 month mark or before first season...I work in a huge veterinary organisation...and our vets spay at the 6 month mark....and spay their own at this age too.

 

[danhappy]

Our vets recommend 3 months after their first season. He doesnt recommend neaturing males unless there is a medical reason for it though.

 

[sloulou]

Loki's back is all better thanks

Is hard for rescues... I 100% agree that all rescues should be neutered... I just think that 8 weeks is so sad...

But if you aren't a rescue and you are a responsible dog owner - then I reckon wait, if you can... our vet actually suggested neutereing at 9 months for a lab - but we talked it through with them and have decided not to at the moment. He is very good tho... doesn't mark in the house or hump other dogs.

My parents had their first bitch neutered after she had had her first season. But the second one was done before as they had changed vets and the advice was different....