THE BENEFITS OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING

WHY FEMALE DOGS SHOULD BE SPAYED

MAMMARY CANCER A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer. After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7% and after the second heat the risk is 25% (one in four). It is easy to see that an early spay can completely prevent what is frequently a very difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer. Is it too late if a dog is already past her second heat? No, in fact spaying is important even in female dogs who already have obvious tumors. This is because many mammary tumors are stimulated by estrogens; removing the ovaries, the source of estrogens, will help retard tumor spread. Spaying removes both the uterus and both ovaries and is crucial in the prevention as well as the treatment of mammary cancer. SIMPLE CONVENIENCE The female dog comes into heat every eight months or so. There is a bloody vaginal discharge and attraction of local male dogs. Often there is an offensive odor. All of this disappears with spaying. WHAT IS PYOMETRA? Pyometra is the life-threatening infection of the uterus, which generally occurs in middle-aged to older female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The hormone progesterone that primes the uterus for potential pregnancy, does so by causing proliferation of the blood-filled uterine lining and suppression of uterine immune function. It is thus easy during heat for bacteria in the vagina to ascend to the uterus to cause infection. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue and toxins. Without treatment, the pet is expected to die. Despite her serious medical state, she must be spayed quickly if her life is to be saved.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON DISEASE OF OLDER UNSPAYED FEMALE DOGS! PYOMETRA IS NOT SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HAPPEN; CONSIDER THAT IT PROBABLY WILL HAPPEN.

The older unspayed female dog has an irregular heat cycle. There is no end of cycling comparable to human menopause. If you still decide against spaying, be very familiar with the signs of pyometra. (These include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, excessive thirst, marked vaginal discharge).

SPAYING IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASURES THAT CAN BE PROVIDED FOR A FEMALE DOG OF ANY AGE.

WHAT ABOUT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES? The female dog's reproductive tract is dormant for most of the year. It only activates for the three week period of heat. This means that from a behavioral stand point, the female dog acts spayed most of the time. It is unlikely that any change will be evident.

HEALTH BENEFITS FROM SPAYING ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE.

WHY MALE DOGS SHOULD BE NEUTERED

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS TO THE DOG? There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true. Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering. WHAT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER NEUTER? The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering relate to behaviours influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs. AT WHAT AGE CAN NEUTERING BE PERFORMED? Neutering can be performed at any age over age eight weeks. Dogs neutered before puberty (generally age six months) tend to grow a bit bigger than dogs neutered after puberty (testosterone is involved in the causing bones to stop growing so without testosterone the bones stop growing later). Neutering can also be performed in the geriatric patient should the prostate gland become enlarged and the best medical decision be to shrink it. In this event, preanesthetic bloodwork and other diagnostics relevant to anesthetizing an older patient would be recommended. The traditional age for neutering is around six months of age and many veterinarians still recommend neutering at this age. The benefits of neutering (both health and behavioral) can still be obtained regardless of the age at which neutering is performed. WILL HE GET OVER-WEIGHT OR LETHARGIC? Activity level and appetite do not change with neutering. A male dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity post neuter. WILL HE STILL BE INTERESTED IN FEMALES? His interest will be reduced but if he is around a female dog in heat, he will become aroused by her. Mounting behavior often has roots in the expression of dominance and may be expressed by a neutered male in a variety of circumstances that are not motivated by sexuality.